Replacing Fuse Box - What do I need to know ?

naepace

Hi, as usual I have searched through these forums & the web and have ended up more confused than ever
I want to replace my old style fuse box for modern rcd protection. Thanks to the advice given in these forums I have a rough idea of what I should expect to pay. However, it appears to me that technology/regulations are forever being updated. What exactly should the electrician be installing to meet current regulations ?
Many thanks.

fluffpot

A fully RCD protected fuse board (consumer unit) with either dual RCD’s and individual mcb’s (trip switches) or 1 RCD and combo of mcb’s and rcbo’s (rcd/mcb combined) or if you have very few circuits just rcbos

The electrician will also need to check and if needs be install or upgrade you main bonding (earthing) to gas and water pipes.

They will need to test all your electrics and put anything right that doesn’t pass. And you will get a cert with all the test results

Hope this helps

Fluff

zax47

naepace wrote: »

However, it appears to me that technology/regulations are forever being updated. What exactly should the electrician be installing to meet current regulations ?
Many thanks.

Not exactly "forever being updated"! The previous IEE wiring regs (16th edition:1992, amended 2001&2002) lasted from 1991 to 2008. Currently we install to meet the 17th edition, mandatory since July 2008.

naepace

zax47 wrote: »

Not exactly "forever being updated"! The previous IEE wiring regs (16th edition:1992, amended 2001&2002) lasted from 1991 to 2008. Currently we install to meet the 17th edition, mandatory since July 2008.

I have been known to exaggerate But on forums I've seen long threads debating various interpretations of what meets this 17th edition. When you are as easily confused as I am................

CarMadMoneySaver

_pale_When the work is done you'll need one of two things as well - a 'self certification' form from the electrician, proving that they are in an approved persons scheme and can sign off their own work as compliant with the relevant regulations (i.e. that they are in one of the many relevant trade bodies and have passed the relevant exams etc.) OR an application to the Building Control department of the Local Authority, who will send someone out to check the works at various stages.

It is far easier (and cheaper, probably) to get an electrician who can sign the works off. Not that it's illegal as such for anyone who isn't registered in the correct scheme to do the works (anyone could even buy a few books and have a go themselves), but there is always the backstop of Building Control to check everything's safe.

Having said that, it's unlikely a Building Inspector will turn up - our office has to send out an electrician to do these inspections, because none of the Building Inspectors know much about electrics. :rotfl:

In a fantastic New Labour initiative a few years ago it was announced (with a couple of months notice to those affected) that Building Control would do these inspections, presumably because we were out and about on building sites anyway. Trouble was, you can't exactly train yourself up properly to do these inspections without going through all the years of (very, very necessary) training that electricians do. So Councils now have to pay electricians to go out and check each others' work, and the fees we get in from the householder doesn't cover the cost of this. Everyone else doing building works has to pay more fees, so the books balance.

There is talk (if Labour stay in power) of Building Control doing Health and Safety inspections at the same time as building inspections. Again though, it would take years of training (like the HSE inspectors have to do) to know how to enforce the relevant laws and gather the correct evidence. Collect the evidence wrongly or apply the wrong legislation and you'd be laughed out of court by a clued-up solicitor. I haven't met a dopey solicitor yet. :rolleyes:

Again, it's just a case of "they're on site - they can do it!", with no thought to the practicalities.:mad:

Sorry, a little "off topic" there - just thought I'd flag up the need for a certificate at the end of the job, as you'll need on to sell the property on again (you'll need to show it to the buyers' solicitor), and not having one may invalidate your home insurance if you have an electrical fire. But as more and more rules creep into life under Tony & Gordon, you can be easily excused for not knowing about this - it was never publicised, to my knowledge, outside the trade press.:huh:

Joined-up government? You decide.:money:

Canucklehead

naepace wrote: »

Hi, as usual I have searched through these forums & the web and have ended up more confused than ever
I want to replace my old style fuse box for modern rcd protection. Thanks to the advice given in these forums I have a rough idea of what I should expect to pay. However, it appears to me that technology/regulations are forever being updated. What exactly should the electrician be installing to meet current regulations ?
Many thanks.

Good morning: as you are in Scotland see here ...perhaps baldelectrician can help.

HTH

Canucklehead