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EICR and fuse box
- Thread starter yartin
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What happened in the last 5 years??
Thing is RCD protection for sockets was introduced over 20 years ago so I would give that a C2 on that basis.
As a landlord you have a duty of care to your tenants so updating the CU is really something you should just get done ……
I’d also be concerned about the main earth size and the bonding sizes too
As a landlord you have a duty of care to your tenants so updating the CU is really something you should just get done ……
I’d also be concerned about the main earth size and the bonding sizes too
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And......he's off again!
As a landlord myself, I am somewhat surprised you have not updater that property's electrical installation before. Do yourself a moral plus financial favour and get it updated asap before someone receives a belt and ends up rightly taking you to the cleaners. The regulations are just as much for your protection as your tenant's. Consider yourself very lucky you've got away with it so far, because lucky you have been. Could you live with yourself if a child was frazzled due to your neglect?
It's those Rackman type that gives those of us who are ethical landlords, a very bad name. Who was Rackman? Read about the barsteward from the link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Rachman
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The house I sold had an old Wylex fuse box like shown, but was RCD at 30 mA protected. However, seems likely there is no RCD protection, but regulation wise.
So the question is, since BS 7671:1992 when that installation would have been acceptable, what has changed to make it unacceptable?
Well 1992 I would not have changed a live bulb with my bare hands, it would have burnt me, today one could, with LED bulbs. And we have a lot more class II equipment, but the main thing which will cause problems is plastic pipes. In 2008, we were allowed not to bond in certain areas providing RCD protection was provided.
This is the bit where most properties without RCD protection fail. As over the years, we have used plastic plumbing parts, so the equipotential bonding is not there.
The other one is
If you read the instructions on boilers, showers, washing machines, etc. One is bound to say the supply should be RCD protected, in fact I have seen boiler instructions where it says type A or better RCD protection should be fitted.
Now I do not have a massive list of manufacturers instructions, so to be safe, the only option is to fail if no RCD, I suppose if you can show nothing in the home dates after 2001 as BS 7671:2001 listed where RCD's must be used, then maybe one could say RCD not required, but since you can't control what a tenant uses, that does not seem likely.
So the question is if it is potentially dangerous, and all 230 volt installations are potentially dangerous, so rather a silly question to start with.
So the question is, since BS 7671:1992 when that installation would have been acceptable, what has changed to make it unacceptable?
Well 1992 I would not have changed a live bulb with my bare hands, it would have burnt me, today one could, with LED bulbs. And we have a lot more class II equipment, but the main thing which will cause problems is plastic pipes. In 2008, we were allowed not to bond in certain areas providing RCD protection was provided.
This is the bit where most properties without RCD protection fail. As over the years, we have used plastic plumbing parts, so the equipotential bonding is not there.
The other one is
If you read the instructions on boilers, showers, washing machines, etc. One is bound to say the supply should be RCD protected, in fact I have seen boiler instructions where it says type A or better RCD protection should be fitted.
Now I do not have a massive list of manufacturers instructions, so to be safe, the only option is to fail if no RCD, I suppose if you can show nothing in the home dates after 2001 as BS 7671:2001 listed where RCD's must be used, then maybe one could say RCD not required, but since you can't control what a tenant uses, that does not seem likely.
I can normally tell from the Landlords address the type of attitude they are most likely to have
Not much a few things but I'm surprised you got an Electrician willing to "Pass" that in 2020. It's a flat by the looks of the title of the JPEG and the fact it only has 4 circuits. They're not labelled for starters the fuse cover is missing which should have those details but sockets should really have RCD protection if someone is likely to use something like a jet wash with an extension lead out the window or door.
I'd definitely get that updated.
I reside in coastal West Sussex, so what does that area tell you about me as a landlord?
Too far off my patch
I don't think anything particularly notable has changed in the past 5 years.
There is unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules on what installations will pass an EICR, there is lots of guidance from major industry institutions but utlimately it comes down to the proffesional judgement of the electrican doing the inspection as to whether they follow said guidance. And even if they do follow the guidance they may interpret things like "reasonably be expected to supply equipment outdoors" differently. Flat dwellers running extension leads out of upper floor windows is certainly not unheard of.
Assuming the electrican *is* following the guidance, the big question is whether there are any sockets liable to supply equipment outdoors, and if-so whether those sockets have RCD protection. There is no RCD protection visible in the picture, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that protection could be provided elsewhere.
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Get it upgraded by an electrician and future proofed. RCBO's and upgrade the mains tails etc.
Just out of curiosity, what is the condition of the wiring?
And when the electrician recommended you to change the board did he also provide an EICR?
Just out of curiosity, what is the condition of the wiring?
And when the electrician recommended you to change the board did he also provide an EICR?
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