ECIR pre new c u or not
- Thread starter petend
- Start date
Some amount of testing and inspection will be required before a new consumer unit.
Whether that involves a complete EICR depends on the size, age, history and observed condition of what's there.
In any case, just having someone turn up and sling a new consumer unit in is likely to result in problems and extra expense not quoted for.
Whether that involves a complete EICR depends on the size, age, history and observed condition of what's there.
In any case, just having someone turn up and sling a new consumer unit in is likely to result in problems and extra expense not quoted for.
Changing a CU without doing at least some inspection/testing first, can put the electrician and their customer in an awkward situation, For a few reasons.
1. By installing a new CU the electrician inevitably assumes some level of responsibility for the wiring supplied by it. Some pre-existing non-compliances are able to be documented and tolerated, but there are limits to what any reasonable electrician would be prepared to connect up and energise. The new protective devices will likely have different characteristics to the old, so cabing suitability will need to be assessed.
2. Some faults (notably neutral to earth faults and borrowed neutrals) that may have gone unnoticed with an old CU can lead to immediate tripping when trying to re-energise the circuits on a modern setup.
3. Old rubber wiring may literally fall apart when worked on.
Whether that testing and inspection needs to amount to a full EICR is another matter. Some electricians will naturally be more risk-averse than others.
1. By installing a new CU the electrician inevitably assumes some level of responsibility for the wiring supplied by it. Some pre-existing non-compliances are able to be documented and tolerated, but there are limits to what any reasonable electrician would be prepared to connect up and energise. The new protective devices will likely have different characteristics to the old, so cabing suitability will need to be assessed.
2. Some faults (notably neutral to earth faults and borrowed neutrals) that may have gone unnoticed with an old CU can lead to immediate tripping when trying to re-energise the circuits on a modern setup.
3. Old rubber wiring may literally fall apart when worked on.
Whether that testing and inspection needs to amount to a full EICR is another matter. Some electricians will naturally be more risk-averse than others.
Are you preparing the property to become a rental?
I got a quote for “EICR followed by new CU if satisfactory”, discussed in some detail with the electrician.
The day came; he didn’t come himself but send a “lad”. The lad immediately popped out the cutout fuse and removed the old CU from the wall, with no testing.
Moral of the story: they’ll do what they want, don’t try to “tell them how to do their job”.
The day came; he didn’t come himself but send a “lad”. The lad immediately popped out the cutout fuse and removed the old CU from the wall, with no testing.
Moral of the story: they’ll do what they want, don’t try to “tell them how to do their job”.
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