Professional install flagged by electrical inspection

[ericmark]

Type AC RCDs were officially restricted and advised against general use in the UK with the release of BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (the 18th Edition Amendment 2), which came into effect in July 2022.

A/C professionally installed in 2022

So the type AC may still have been allowed when fitted, they have never been banned as such, and I know my solar inverter instructions actually says type AC is OK. So would need to read the heat pumps manual to see if permitted or not.

I know I have been pushed into a corner with installations, where the appointed wholesale outlet I am told to use, does not stock the make and model I want.

I can recall the conversation with my boss, OK, yes, you should fit XYZ so you try explaining to the customer why they have to wait a week for parts to arrive before we can turn the power back on.

Very hard to refuse to fit another make, being told your being pedantic etc.

In the main, someone from the installation firm, comes and visits, and should take note of what makes are required etc. And when the installer arrives he should have all he needs, but what we have, is likely three or more people who need to have all done their job.

But if the surveyor has failed in his duty, then it is not him who has to flaunt the regulations, but the guy fitting the heat pumps, is the one who has to either tell his boss, the surveyor has made an error, and it can't be commissioned until correct parts arrive, or fit the wrong ones.

I know I have done temporary work, expecting to return next day, but my boss has said he has sent Joe Bloggs to do it, and I am to go to XYZ instead. I don't have a clue if Joe has actually gone to do the work.

Furthermore, I look as certificates issued for work at that house, all digital, so not a real signature, I don't have a clue if the guy named ever really signed a certificate.

It is not much better with a signature, OK signed G, Jones Fdeng (name invented) you hope the guy with a degree even if a low one, knows what he is doing. But few electricians have letters behind their names. So as the customer you have no idea if signed by first year apprentice, or someone with 30 years experience.

 

[Baal]

Thanks .. the "they are type AC ... changing to type A is recommended improvement " is a C3 item on the inspection report . What is the advantage of type A.

 

[ericmark]

What is the advantage of type A.

Oh dear, it seems with type AC any DC current can cause the RCD/RCBO to freeze, and not trip, but with type A up to 6 mA of DC can flow.

Well I tried to measure 6 mA DC and failed, and unless a 6 mA detection unit is fitted which will auto disconnect if more than 6 mA flows, then personally I can't see how 6 mA is even worth measuring.

We have had three port valves for years, and as a lad with had half-wave rectification for radios also for many years, so DC on the AC supply is nothing new.

So to try to say this is something new, does not really cut the mustard. But it can mean the RCD takes longer to trip, so we should test at regular intervals to see if the RCD trips within the 40 mS allowed.

But to test needs a tester like this and it is unlikely most households have them.

 

[morqthana]

The manual for that doesn't inspire confidence.

Aren't RCD testers these days supposed to test different types?

 

[pete01]

The manual for that doesn't inspire confidence.

Aren't RCD testers these days supposed to test different types?

No

 

[morqthana]

Blimey.


Can't believe that the companies who make such testers aren't lobbying for it.

 

[pete01]

Blimey

Test any type of rcd type AC setting

 

[pete01]

Blimey.


Can't believe that the companies who make such testers aren't lobbying for it.

For what

 

[morqthana]

Aren't RCD testers these days supposed to test different types?

No

Can't believe that the companies who make such testers aren't lobbying for it.

For what

Words fail me.

 

[securespark]

What is there to lobby for?

Test equipment manufacturers are on the ball and are kept abreast of all the changes so they can bring up to date equipment to the market in good time.

But there are no changes test-wise regarding RCD types, so existing test equipment is still valid for the job.