Any Electricians out there? I need advice...

m_13

The 17th edition wiring regulations come into force on 1st July 2008 and will change the way that lots of things are done in terms of wiring. I know this because our electrician pleaded with us to get our kitchen fitted before the end of June so he can do second fix and inspect under the 16th edition (we've started tiling the floor today so we might just make it).

Apparently two of the main changes are that you no longer need to have electrical bonding underneath baths and sinks and all circuits have to be on the RCD size of the consumer unit not only sockets.

We've recently had a new larger consumer unit with new circuits for a shower, hob and oven (and a load of spares for the future). Changing the consumer unit was the smallest part of the work but our electrician did tell us that there is no law making consumers change their consumer units as wiring regulations aren't retrospective. We changed ours because it didn't have the capacity we needed.

Bottom line, new regulations are just about to come into force that will change what you need to have done if the work takes place after 1st July 2008. Bonding is needed but unless you have problems with your consumer units nobody can force you to have them changed unless they are unsafe. Even if you want to have them changed then you can employ any competent person to do the work.

Slapps

i know a sparky and i told him about your problem. he said that you really need to get a couple of free quotes from local electricians but as a very ruff guide your looking at about £700 to £1000 as it depends on alot of where your boards are to where your water supply is. electricians can't really give out quotes without seeing what work needs doing and where everything is. but be careful if told you need it testing or certificates as this is classed as minor works and this is not needed as all they will be doing is replacing and not putting in new circuits, just so you don't get caught out by that scam.
hth

baldelectrician

Slapps wrote: »

be careful if told you need it testing or certificates as this is classed as minor works and this is not needed as all they will be doing is replacing and not putting in new circuits, just so you don't get caught out by that scam.
hth

A new consumer unit is NOT minor works, to quote BS7671 on Minor Works "This certificate may be also used for replacement of of equipment such as acessories, but not for the replacement of distribution boards or similar items. Appopriate inspection and testing, however, should always be carried out irrespective of the extent of work undertaken"

Sorry about quoting chapter and verse, but wrong advice is still wrong advice.

Yes, you will need paperwork - something along the lines of a Small Installation Certificate or a Electrical Installation Certificate.

On another point the regs are not retrospective, but the bonding requires to be adequate PRIOR to other works being carried out.
Circuits installed or circuits worked upon require to meet current standards.
It is correct that nobody can force you to have work done, but I will not install new sockets unless there is RCD protection.
No RCD = no job (it is my bottty on the line:D)

Bungarm2001

£700/£1000???? How on earth could it cost that much???

Blimey, even BG quoted the OP £170 for this part of the job (see 1st post) I mean come on, at the end of the day, it's just a few metres of 16mm earthing cable and a couple of clamps...where does that cost come into it? Maybe having to pull up a couple of floorboards?? Crikey....I'm in the wrong job clearly...

...or are you including the cost of a new CU?

Slapps

thank you baldelectrician I may have got it wrong on the minor/major works as I was trying to remember what my friend had said.
Bungarm2001 I did say it depends on alot of where your boards are to where your water supply is and that I know a sparky not that I am one so hence forth all I was trying to do was help. I personally have bloody idea what would need doing or how to do it lol. The RUFF quote was for all the work that the OP had stated.
Sorry if I just comfussed matters as I was only trying to help.