A friend has just had a periodic electrical inspection done, and asked for help in interpreting the (long) list of faults found ("what's all this supplementary bonding stuff all about, then...?"
One of the more minor items flagged up was the absence of a "circuit chart list" which is needed for compliance with BS7671. Could someone tell me what exactly is needed for this?
Thanks David
Only guessing - and I'm sure someone more knowledgable that me will correct me if I'm wrong - but I would imagine it's just a list of circuits in the consumer unit so that anyone looking will know which fuse/mcb does what, ie, fuse/mcb 1 - downstairs lights, fuse/mcb 2 - upstairs lights etc., etc.
Mogweed.
Periodic? Is this for some form of commercial premises?
IIRC, it was my understanding there is no need to update a domestic installation to the latest regs, although any new work must conform.
Labelled MCBs, etc?
I've seen the report he had done, it's provided on a NICEIC form entitled "Domestic Electrical Installation Periodic Inspection Report". It was for a flat which he lets out; he was aware that the wiring was 'dodgy' and I think he sent in an electrician to 'check' it - this is just what came back.
The list is not a major issue as far as this property is concerned (he's going to have it rewired anyway, based on the report); I really was interested from my own perspective, as producing a 'circuit chart list' is not something I've ever done myself when rewiring.
Mebbe, sounds a bit more than that to me though. My guess was something along the lines of what Mogweed suggests; although that seems a bit superfluous if the consumer unit is properly labelled, and how many householders are going to manage to hang on to a scrap of paper and then be able to produce it when the wiring is checked every 10(?) years? So I wondered if it was more than that?
David
On Sat, 05 Feb 2005 10:34:10 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)" strung together this:
How do you work that out then?
Correct, having a periodic inspection just notifies you as to the condition of the electrical system, it doesn't mean you have to do anything about it.
In esscence, yes. Depending how complex the circuits are I have a standard sheet in the car that provides ample space for complete explanations of circuit details and no.of points, Zs, CPD, R1 R2, etc.... On all commercial installations I used to print out a complete circuit chart and frame it, hen screw it to the waqll next to the DB.
Do most have their domestic installation tested periodically?
On Sat, 05 Feb 2005 13:57:32 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)" strung together this:
No, but they should really. Just like a boiler should really be serviced regularly.
If you made that 'tested', I'd agree with you.
I'd also be interested what your views were on 'regularly'.
The recommended (maximum) interval for domestic installations is 10 years [IEE Guidance Note 3]. For all other installation types it's less, and there's a long list of maximum recommended intervals in the Guidance Note. The tester should apply their discretion and recommend a shorter interval if conditions dictate - see page 143 in the OSG.
There should be a label on your consumer unit giving the date of the last and next recommended inspections [Reg. 514-12-01].
On Sat, 05 Feb 2005 14:30:06 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)" strung together this:
Ah, depends on your definiition I suppose.
I would class testing a boiler as sticking a partical analyser in the flue and checking the gas pressure, or something similar. Servicing the same would involve a test and some degree of dismantling and cleaning\upgrading\replacing parts.
Same with electrical installations really. So what I'm trying to say, I think, is yes a boiler should be tested regularly.
Depends on what it is. A brand new installation installed by someone who isn't a rougharse could be quite safely teste at intervals startin at 5 years but there are some sparkys who I wouldbn't trust to wire a plug so probably say 2 years interval.
Generally, it depends on the test results and the general conditiion of the installation, but anywhere between 2 and 3 years usually.
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