No RCD = EICR fail ?

movilogo

After living in my home for many years I want to let it out now and hence called electrician for EICR.

He said since my consumer unit is non RCD it will fail and I must replace it.

Searching at internet I don't see any mention of non RCD being C1/C2 type fault. So wondering if I'm being taken for a ride?

Attached image of consumer unit

Ectophile

The trouble with EICRs is that they are down to the opinion of the person doing them.

Looking at the guidelines from Electrical Safety First, then in a house, having no RCDs at all would probably be a C2.  On the basis that you will plug in portable appliances that are used outside (e.g. lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, Christmas lights...).

Absence of RCD protection for portable or
mobile equipment that may reasonably be
expected to be used outdoors

Jonboy_1984

Ectophile said:

The trouble with EICRs is that they are down to the opinion of the person doing them.

Looking at the guidelines from Electrical Safety First, then in a house, having no RCDs at all would probably be a C2.  On the basis that you will plug in portable appliances that are used outside (e.g. lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, Christmas lights...).

Absence of RCD protection for portable or
mobile equipment that may reasonably be
expected to be used outdoors

We had this highlighted despite living in a flat with a gardening service, therefore no need to use equipment outside. 

As it happened there were other reasons to change the consumer unit, or I would have pushed back on it and asked about fitting an rcd socket on the socket closest to the door as we were selling rather than letting.

It is however definitely a worthwhile upgrade to consider regardless.


Where is this consumer unit located as it looks to be plastic cased, and will therefore potentially be another comment (C2 in our case as in a bedroom) 

Nearlyold

What has the electrician put on the EICR?  For what it's worth my view as a landlord is not to approach safety related issues with a "whats the minimum I can get away with" mindset.

movilogo

Actually he had not given me EICR. He said giving me an unsatisfactory EICR serves no purpose so he told me verbally and charged me his call out charges. 

When I used a lawn mower I used an extension cord from inside. I don't have sockets on outside wall.

If I need to upgrade to RCD how much would be a reasonable cost? 

grumbler

It would be pretty easy and cheap if there were two empty slots in the CU. Yours seems to have only one - on the left side(?). What are two MCBs in the middle- 5 and 4?

I am no expert, but I think you can just replace one or two MCBs (sockets and, possibly, water heater) with RCBOs that are the same size as MCBs, but are essentially a combination or MCB and RCD

I am surprised that your electrician didn't mention this simple option.

Nearlyold

Hmmm. Did the leccy actually do any testing?

movilogo

He put a plug to some sockets to check earthing etc. I have got same testing plug myself, purchased from Amazon. He also said I don't have any protection which is needed if water mixes with electricity hence something needs to be done with copper pipes by taking cables from main box (not exactly understood what he meant)

grumbler

movilogo said:

He also said I don't have any protection which is needed if water mixes with electricity hence something needs to be done with copper pipes by taking cables from main box (not exactly understood what he meant)

He meant earthing. If your mains water supply pipe is not plastic, it has to be earthed where it enters the house. The same applies to the gas pipe.

FreeBear

grumbler said: It would be pretty easy and cheap if there were two empty slots in the CU. Yours seems to have only one - on the left side(?). What are two MCBs in the middle- 5 and 4?

If slots 4&5 are indeed unused, then there would be space for an RCD, but.... Fitting one would entail modifying the bus bar, and you probably wouldn't get one specifically designed & tested for that consumer unit. Our resident pedant would tell you that it would void the warranty and be non-compliant.

The alternative would be to fit a standalone breaker & RCD between the CU and meter - Would be a little cheaper than replacing the CU.

grumbler

FreeBear said:

grumbler said: It would be pretty easy and cheap if there were two empty slots in the CU. Yours seems to have only one - on the left side(?). What are two MCBs in the middle- 5 and 4?

... then there would be space for an RCD, but.... Fitting one would entail modifying the bus bar,

Why? I don't think any modification is needed for one RCD. For two, the neutral bus needs splitting.

The (line) busbar is easy to modify or replace.