tests for replacing consumer unit

[benphillips]

am i correct by thinking every circuit has been changed so you are responsible for all the circuits which would involve testing all the circuits. i've changed my own for the niceic to come and inspect but i phoned building control and they said it was minor works, i found this hard to believe but he insisted. i got taught it was notifiable

ben

 

[Spark123]

Replacing a consumer unit is notifiable, it requires an Electrical Installation Certificate, not a Minor Works.

 

[benphillips]

that is what i thought, maybe my building control officer is pretty easy going then. at least i phoned him. would you test every circuit as well. i did the electrical installation certificate and filled out all the results for every circuit but don't want to have to do that every time if it doesn't need to be done

ben

 

[Spark123]

Yes, you need to test every circuit which is affected by the change.

 

[benphillips]

cheers for your quick reply and help, if you were doing some elses board i suppose you would have to test them all BEFORE you start otherwise you could get stung if there is a fault somewhere along the line then

ben

 

[Spark123]

Yeah, it would be a good idea! Also expect grief when you put the sockets on an RCD and they plug in the faulty iron trips it. "But it was OK till you changed the board!!"

 

[GaryMo]

cheers for your quick reply and help, if you were doing some elses board i suppose you would have to test them all BEFORE you start otherwise you could get stung if there is a fault somewhere along the line then

ben

Exactly why a PIR should be carried out prior to changing a consumer unit.
Testing of circuits isn't wasted as you could then transfer the values over to the new EIC though I would always verify Zs values again after reconnection.

 

[benphillips]

how would you charge somebody if you've tested it and its not safe/require more work which they arent prepared to get done? im just starting out and trying to price fairly but on the other hand dont want to do free work. a consumer board isnt really as straight forward as it could be then really.

ben

 

[GaryMo]

Carry out PIR and report findings to customer.
They then pay the cost of the PIR and any remedial work before I even think about changing the CU.

 

[benphillips]

i understand now that helps ta clears alot up for me. last thing. who puts the little wire back in the hrc, me or the distributors

ben

 

[GaryMo]

i understand now that helps ta clears alot up for me. last thing. who puts the little wire back in the hrc, me or the distributors

ben

What little wire?

eBay is your friend.

 

[benphillips]

when i changed mine to take out the hrc it had a little wire, sort of what you get on a fire extinguiser to stop pulling it out

 

[GaryMo]

I know, it's called a seal. As I said, eBay is your friend!

Just so you know, removal of fuse or meter seals can be seen as tampering with the networks equipment which they don't take too kindly to.

 

[benphillips]

i remember being told that now, ooppps. i think i should have phoned the suppliers first. is that the right course of action?

 

[GaryMo]

i remember being told that now, ooppps. i think i should have phoned the suppliers first. is that the right course of action?

Yes, even better is to phone the supplier before you carry out the work and ask them to fit an isolator between the meter and consumer unit.