Hi. I currently let my house out (I now live hundreds of miles away) but the letting agents say there is an electrical problem - there is a loss of power to the kitchen sockets circuit (I guess the circuit breaker is tripping) not including the cooker circuit. They want to replace all the wiring and the sockets together with the consumer unit because it does not comply with current regs (17th ed BS 7671). The unit in place is a Wylex one installed maybe 15 - 20 years ago and the circuits are protected by a main RCD and individual MCBs. I do not undertsand why this needs replacing. Can you tell me whether I do need to fit an updated consumer unit simply to comply with the updated regs as I don't think it likely a fault in the unit itself is present? More likely a socket or the MCB? The photos they have sent show new sockets (put in when the kitchen was updated a few years ago) but old red and black wiring - should the wiring be replaced? Thanks for any help.
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6 comments postedJust noticed you said you have photo's of the board, if you post them or email them to me I'll tell you what's there etc
info@chrisjohnsonelectrical.co.uk
It's begging to sound to me like your consumer unit may not have a RCD, a easy way to tell is to see if there is a test button that when pressed cuts the power.
Sometimes this a separate unit located next to the main switch within the board, or it may be combined within the main switch or one of the MCB's (RCBO) but it will always have a test button and have to be reset after a trip.
Having any electrical work carried out in a kitchen or bathroom classes as a special location under Part P and needs to completed by a registered or at least Part P electrician to the current regs.
Not all circuits have to be covered by a RCD. Using an individual RCBO (which is a combined MCB and RCD) is a option when fitting new power outlets and working within the pre mentioned special location. It will avoid the need to completely replace the consumer unit. However I always recommend full RCD coverage as this is the only true safe option.
Usually damage to cable is localised to one area. Often a part rewire is a option where one part of the affected circuit is re-fed and again a thorough test would indicate the extent of any damaged cable.
Let me kn ow how you get on, I would be happy to look at the test report if one ever materialises!!
Chris
Sounds like you have an old unit, MEM or Wylex consumer unit with retrofit MCB's. If this is the case I would recommend a new unit. Also is the RCD part of the unit or separate , in a new cu it will be integral and should be rated 30ma trip current. Get the fault report before you do anything.
Hi Johnny,
I would recommended calling a registered electrician to have a look before you do anything else. I know it sounds obvious but we have the equipment and knowledge to be able to quickly tell you what the real situation is.
The 17th edition will apply to any new electrical work on your property and by using a registered electrician eg with NICEIC/Nappit etc you will ensure the work complies with these regulations. Just because some of your wiring is not in the new harmonised colours does not mean it has to be ripped out and replaced. A insulation and resistance test will soon show its condition.
If a MCB is tripping it could be a range of things from heat damaged cable to a damaged accessory such as socket or spur.
Don't panic yet! A good electrician will be able to give you a full report at the end of a visit showing any faults and will make suggestions and give options on the best cause of action.
If you are renting this property a schedule of inspection and testing of the condition of the wiring should be in place including the PAT testing of any included appliances. It will help prevent any future issues by highlighting potential problems.
It may be as simple as a overloaded circuit!
Hope this helps
Chris
Thanks very much for your reply, Chris. Apparently the agents have had a registered electrician look at the problem and they've come back with this "replace everything" recommendation. I have not been able to get the electrician's report or a fixed price from them as yet, so I'm concerned but short of options living so far away. You have said that the 17th edition will apply to all new electrical work. Would replacing the kitchen socket circuit count as new work and if so, would that then require replacement of the consumer unit even if it hasn't got a fault itself? I could do with knowing if this is the case to help me in my discussions with the agent. The only problem I can see with the consumer unit from the photos they sent is that the cover over the MCBs is missing, although it may be in the cupboard somewhere. Thanks again.
All sounds a bit odd to me. The main difference between a '16th edition consumer unit' and a '17th edition consumer unit' (I am not saying it is the only thing before everyone gets their back up) is the fact that most if not all circuits have to be protected by a 30mA R.C.D. If you have a main R.C.D. of 30mA then all the circuits should be R.C.D. protected.
I am not sure if the information from the electrician has been misinterpreted, or they are giving you false or incorrect information.
I would definately get an independent Part P registered electrician to look at this issue. To find a Part P registered electrician, look up the NICEIC, ECA, Select (sorry if there are more, I don't know them all), you should be able to find one through these orgainisations.
Paul