Lighting circuits with no cpc

[Risteard]

How would it be any safer with a cpc if all the accessories on the circuit were Class II?

Because they could be subsequently replaced with Class I accessories.

Also the screws are not Class II.

 

[ianmacd]

Because they could be subsequently replaced with Class I accessories.Also the screws are not Class II.

Thats the point of the warning label at the CU. If people are too stupid to read it then they get what they deserve/need.

How do you know the screws are not class II?

 

[AAAMUSEMENTS]

How do you know the screws are not class II?

It would depend on the type of backbox, wouldn't it?

 

[ianmacd]

It would depend on the type of backbox, wouldn't it?

And they type of screws.

 

[Risteard]

Thats the point of the warning label at the CU.

A warning label which is not prescribed by BS7671. Furthermore, do you really think a DIYer will necessarily take heed of such a warning? I think it is a lazy way around poor design.

I for one would refuse to work on a lighting circuit without a cpc a la so-called "best practice guide" and would insist that it should be brought into compliance with the IEE Wiring Regulations.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

A warning label which is not prescribed by BS7671. Furthermore, do you really think a DIYer will necessarily take heed of such a warning? I think it is a lazy way around poor design.I for one would refuse to work on a lighting circuit without a cpc a la so-called "best practice guide" and would insist that it should be brought into compliance with the IEE Wiring Regulations.

I can understand your concerns Ristard....

But the facts are lighting circuits without a CPC are not in themselves inherently dangerous, providing all the fixtures and fittings are ClassII...

If it were the case...

you would NOT be legally allowed to purchase any number of Double Insulated power tools... e.g. Lawn mowers, Drills etc..

Also... considering that non-CPC lights date back to somewhere around 1966...

we would have had numerous cases of persons being killed by Non-CPC lighting circuits over the past 40+ years....

However as you quite rightly say unearthed lighting circuits do not comply with BS7671...

BUT also there is no legal requirement to retrospectively apply current regs to older installations! :|

Its that catch 22 that we all have to evaluate each installation and situation on its merits...

For the benefit of others reading some of the key regs we each need to consider in these situations are...

131.8 pg 16

411.3.1.1 (part) pg 46

543.1.1 (part) pg 128

543.3.1 pg 131

543.6.1 pg 133

Bottom line is if the customer don't want to pay you to rewire/part rewire...

They will get someone else to do the minor working accordance with the Best Practice guide which is endorsed by:-

BSI

ELECSA

CITY & GUILDS

ELECSA

NICEIC

ECA

etc....

:|

 

[ianmacd]

A warning label which is not prescribed by BS7671. Furthermore, do you really think a DIYer will necessarily take heed of such a warning? I think it is a lazy way around poor design.I for one would refuse to work on a lighting circuit without a cpc a la so-called "best practice guide" and would insist that it should be brought into compliance with the IEE Wiring Regulations.

I think you are missing the point here. Its a way to make an installation safer than it was before. We are not talking about installing a new circuit without a CPC. It was colmpliant just not with the current version of the regs.

As has been said before, we are not the electric police so who are you to say that a circuit should be brought into complicance? If you change all the accessories to class II then how is that not safe? Are you saying you would leave a circuit either disconnected (so no lights as thats safe at night) or refuse the upgrade (thus not installing any RCD's etc...)?

If have-a-go diyer decides to install a light fitting without a functioning CPC that is his decision but one I would not expect any spark to make.