The Building Regulations 2010 approved document M page 22 said:
Switches, sockets, stopcocks and controls have their centre line between 450mm and 1200mm above floor level and a minimum of 300mm (measured horizontally) from an inside corner.
found here so socket needs to be 300 mm from the corner.
As to fitting a consumer unit then testing, I agree an electrician should make the owner aware of what happens if faults are found. But it is up to the owner as to if he wants to take the risk. In my case I had agreed I would rectify any faults found, I just wanted the consumer unit fitting, as the fuse box was insider the ceiling space and I did not have the dexterity to work in that space.
Well in any EICR/PIR I have ever done, if I get to the point at any stage I halt the insp/test and and inform the customer if what I have discovered so far renders it so unsatisfactory that I have already concluded that a rewire is needed or a massive corrections regarding extense of works probably required and ask if they want me to carry on or end it and reduce my charges accordingly.
Yes that makes sense, but one needs to do as one is told by ones boss, and if told to continue as need to know extent of the problem, then that's what you do.
It is down to why an EICR is being done. And it does not harm to say if a re-wire is found to be required, then stop. In the main one can get a feel with out doing an EICR as to general state of the wiring.
When i take the cover of any single gang switch i see 2 seperate grey shiethed pvc cables each wire has 1 red wire inside, and one goes to common other goes to the other switch terminal, definitely no earth
It does seem no earth, and to be frank I found a house where earth wires had been snipped, and spend best part of a day connecting them, only to find there was clearly a junction box in the loft space where I had no access.
But part of the inspectors tool kit is the loop impedance meter, so he can connect two leads and press a button and test if earthed or not, he does not need to trace cables. The earth may be from conduit or other metallic parts, which you can't see.
As to
@BS3036 yes today we are made aware, during my apprenticeship the things we could easy get caught out with were taught, like size of a rear lamp on a vehicle, as all it needed was one pedantic policeman, but in the home, who would know if it didn't comply, same to some extent even now.
Eric regarding "so with the papered wall the socket was in the corner, technically not permitted, " could you elaborate your meaning on this comment please?
Clearly missed that one line in Part M, and it is so easy to do, and it says "
2.30 To assist people who have reduced reach, services and controls should comply with all of the following." I would have said more to do with not getting damaged by wheel chair users, at least for the height. Having seen the damage caused by the rear wheel of a self propelled wheel chair, yes want to keep sockets above centre of rear wheel.
What I have never understood, is why there is not a limit to kitchen work top size, I know my mother could not reach sockets on the wall as could not get wheel chair close enough.
