Need main bonding, but is my CU wiring dangerous?!

[europa]

Had an EICR done the other day. Two C2s: metal faceplates and lack of main bonding. One C3: no RCD. Electrician told me to just change faceplates to plastic ones and sort out main bonding.

I've been trying to figure out how to connect the 10mm G&Y (as there is no space on 4-way earth block), so posted a question on a diy forum. However, i'm now being told that there are issues with my CU wiring and that the 45A MCB position is incorrect. No reason to doubt this - i am not an electrician! - but i am very confused as the electrician (who did my EICR) made no mention of any such problems!

I'd be grateful if you guys could take a look at the attached pics and advise me what to do. 

View attachment CU pics.pdf

 

[Murdoch]

What precisely is wrong with the 45a position? That's a new reg on me!

 

[Andy™]

i hope you removed the cover for the photo's

anyway, dare i ask why you are not getting the spark who done the report to do the remedials?

im guessing you have an unearthed lighting circuit, in which case it still warrants a code regardless of plastic or metal light switches, same with any light fittings (however not always a C2). or if the earth is there but simply not connected then thats an easy fix most of the time

you could swap a few things about on the earth bar to make space

not all of those wylex boards are designed to take a 45a. usually the ones that were had the 45a space on the other side on the main switch, the rest of the ways were designed for 30a max, so positioning of it is irrelevant, it either can be fitted anywhere, or it can be there at all

also, no RCD shouldnt also be a C2 imo if there isnt any on the sockets

 

[NozSpark]

The other day I had some metal flat plate and a dimmer switch to earth which were in 16mm back boxes.... I changed the switches to regular plastic in the end

 

[europa]

I was told on the other forum 45A should be on right (if there at all!) and that ideally mcbs should run left to right. I was also told there are bare wires in neutral block!

I did offer the work to the spark, but he suggested I do the bonding myself as it's a fair bit of work to run the wire, and, to be fair, he was trying to save me the money.

He said not to worry about the RCD part as it's only C3.

And, yes, I removed cover to look at earth block to see if I could get 10mm g&y in there.

If nothing else serious, what would be best way to get the 10mm g&y in there? If there isn't a fairly easy way, just let me know and I'll gladly get a spark to do it.

 

[Murdoch]

If this is the same house you plan to renovate and update the hall and landing lighting then you Do need a new new fuse board 

 

[europa]

No it isn't. We are now talking about the flat where I currently live and which I will rent out.

[The renovation house will be completely re wired ]

All I want to do here is attach the bonding!

 

[Murdoch]

Hum. If you plan to rent out flat then you should budget for a new fuse board for it. As the landlord you will have a duty of care towards your tenants.

Just saying.

 

[europa]

Yes, which is why I had the EICR done. I have no problem doing what is necessary to make things safe. If that means changing fuse board, then so be it.

I'm sure there are different opinions Re best practice, and that some people will argue that current regs are unsafe (or that they are overkill); but, surely, if the EICR says to just change face plates and get bonding, then that's all I really need to do to.

 

[Murdoch]

Yes, which is why I had the EICR done. I have no problem doing what is necessary to make things safe. If that means changing fuse board, then so be it.

I'm sure there are different opinions Re best practice, and that some people will argue that current regs are unsafe (or that they are overkill); but, surely, if the EICR says to just change face plates and get bonding, then that's all I really need to do to.

Hum.....

You have money to do a refurbishment but not £500 to bring the bring this flat up to date.

I pity your tenants

 

[europa]

That comment is a little unfair. I clearly said i have no problem doing what needs to be done (and paying for it). But, by your analogy, should i get the whole flat rewired too?! And, whilst I'm at it, maybe get new gas pipes as well (because the old ones are old!).

Point is: where does one stop? I paid a qualified electrician to tell me what needs to be done. Was his assessment wrong?

 

[Murdoch]

That comment is a little unfair. I clearly said i have no problem doing what needs to be done (and paying for it). But, by your analogy, should i get the whole flat rewired too?! And, whilst I'm at it, maybe get new gas pipes as well (because the old ones are old!).

Point is: where does one stop? I paid a qualified electrician to tell me what needs to be done. Was his assessment wrong?

If you "publish" the EICR (with your address and the sparks details removed) you may get some more informed information BUT if the IR results are all good then in the comments section I would suggest the CU is replaced so that the whole flat has RCD protection....

I never said ANYTHING about rewiring ........

 

[phil d]

If you "publish" the EICR (with your address and the sparks details removed) you may get some more informed information BUT if the IR results are all good then in the comments section I would suggest the CU is replaced so that the whole flat has RCD protection....

I never said ANYTHING about rewiring ........

Personally I'd go for a new CU as well,especially as the property is going to be rented out,you never know what the tenants may mess with and it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Blue Duck]

ohh god,

here we go again....

that wylex is probably pushing 60 years old, the breakers maybe 30.

probably about time for a new board just for peace of mind, it should last another 60 years providing it doesn't spontaneously combust.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WYFALNHRS10SL.html

 

[europa]

Here's the EICR.

View attachment EICR.pdf

 

[Murdoch]

Here's the EICR.

View attachment 6871

Not worth the paper it's printed on.

Took many n/a 

So how much did you pay and how long was in the flat for? 

My guess is 1 hour and,£50

 

[europa]

I went through an agency: landlord certificates. they arranged the electrician. cost me 100£. But you are right: he wasn't here that long; one hour at the most!

Is the certificate not valid then? Should i complain to the agency?

 

[steptoe]

That's a joke,

No main bond,  but he has put it down as 16mm,!! 

Nominal voltage as 240, :shakehead

Yep, Deffo complain,

How can he say 100% of installation then put N/A in almost every box,!??? 

 

[Blue Duck]

wow, I've never seen that many N/A's before did they do it with a blindfold on?

So many things not right, m/s is not 4293 some of the breakers are 3871 not 60898 etc.

Definitely a drive by report!

I do not do EICR's but if I recommend one to be done by a professional electrician (you know who you are) I say the job will be roughly 1/2 a day and will cost around £300.

please get someone who knows what they are looking at.

what part of London are you in.?

 

[europa]

SE13 - Lewisham.

what part of London are you in.?

SE13 - Lewisham