No RCD = EICR fail ?

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





Happiness is buying an item and then not checking its price after a month to discover it was reduced further.
«13456

Replies

  • EctophileEctophile Forumite
    6.7K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    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



    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • Jonboy_1984Jonboy_1984 Forumite
    465 Posts
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    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) 
  • NearlyoldNearlyold Forumite
    2K Posts
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    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.
  • movilogomovilogo Forumite
    3.2K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    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? 
    Happiness is buying an item and then not checking its price after a month to discover it was reduced further.
  • edited 17 February at 8:30PM
    grumblergrumbler Forumite
    56.8K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    edited 17 February at 8:30PM
    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.



    We are born naked, wet and hungry...Then things get worse. :(

    .withdrawal, NOT withdrawel ..bear with me, NOT bare with me
    .definitely, NOT definately ......separate, NOT seperate
    should have, NOT should of
    .....guaranteed, NOT guarenteed
  • NearlyoldNearlyold Forumite
    2K Posts
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Hmmm. Did the leccy actually do any testing?
  • movilogomovilogo Forumite
    3.2K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    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)
    Happiness is buying an item and then not checking its price after a month to discover it was reduced further.
  • grumblergrumbler Forumite
    56.8K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    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.

    We are born naked, wet and hungry...Then things get worse. :(

    .withdrawal, NOT withdrawel ..bear with me, NOT bare with me
    .definitely, NOT definately ......separate, NOT seperate
    should have, NOT should of
    .....guaranteed, NOT guarenteed
  • FreeBearFreeBear Forumite
    11.7K Posts
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    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.

    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • edited 18 February at 8:02AM
    grumblergrumbler Forumite
    56.8K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    edited 18 February at 8:02AM
    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.

    We are born naked, wet and hungry...Then things get worse. :(

    .withdrawal, NOT withdrawel ..bear with me, NOT bare with me
    .definitely, NOT definately ......separate, NOT seperate
    should have, NOT should of
    .....guaranteed, NOT guarenteed
Sign In or Register to comment.
Latest MSE News and Guides

Did you know there's an MSE app?

It's free & available on iOS & Android

MSE App

Regifting: good idea or not?

Add your two cents to the discussion

MSE Forum

Energy Price Guarantee calculator

How much you'll likely pay from April

MSE Tools