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EICR - Main loop impedance "poor"

LordMirg
LordMirg Posts: 15 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
I'm currently in the process of buying my first house, and I got the EICR/electrical report back today.

The report states that the Main Loop impedance is poor. On the included quote for remedial works (the report highlighted some other issues too) the electrician has written he is told the vendor will be contacting the electricity company to get this rectified.

I'll be contacting the electrician for further information, but I was wondering if any of the electricians on the board could give me an idea of the implications/consequences of this?

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The implication is that, in the event of a fault, the high impedance to earth means that enough current won't flow to trip the protective device quickly enough. This may be dangerous.

    If the existing earthing system is TT (earth rod, common in areas with older overhead supplies) then a new or additional rod might be needed. If the earthing system is TN-S or TN-C-S whereby the earth is supplied through the incoming mains, then the supplier will check the earth and remedy any fault if necessary.

    What other issues were identified?
    A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.
  • LordMirg
    LordMirg Posts: 15 Forumite
    edited 29 June 2012 at 8:37PM
    Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »
    What other issues were identified?

    Recommended replacing the existing fuse board with new unit with RCD.
    Correctly install bonding and add supplementary bonding.
    Correctly wire one of the switches.
    Rectify faults on 3 circuits.
    Install Danger Notices and Cable identification.

    Edit:
    Checking the report it says under "means of earthing" - Distributors facility.
  • Notmyrealname
    Notmyrealname Posts: 4,003 Forumite
    Sounds like its old house wiring and you've got an "!!! covering" report.

    If its a pre-RCD fusebox then the chances are that the main earth wire is 6mm. Current standards I believe are 10mm. Having a 6mm one won't mean you'll die.

    Danger notices are to satisfy health and safety brigade.
  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    LordMirg wrote: »
    Checking the report it says under "means of earthing" - Distributors facility.

    But it should say in Section I SECTION I. SUPPLY CHARACTERISTICS AND EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS whether TN-S or TN-C-S (which may also be called PME or Protective Multiple Earthing)

    Means of Earthing comes under Section J
    A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.
  • LordMirg
    LordMirg Posts: 15 Forumite
    Ah yes. It's TN-S.
  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    LordMirg wrote: »
    Ah yes. It's TN-S.

    That's allright. I was worried you might have had someone who didn't know how to fill in a EICR form!
    A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.
  • LordMirg
    LordMirg Posts: 15 Forumite
    No, just someone who doesn't know how to read one :)
This discussion has been closed.
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