New Rcd Board Tripping.

[Technician]

Just a minute; If he was subbed by the builder then should

Mse be addressing him? Should he not seek redress by

this route?

 

[Mse1828]

The builder said he is contracted to supply the electrics in the extension, as the fuseboard was very old the electrician advised me to replace, which he did and charged me separate to the original quote from the builder.

If that makes sense...

 

[Technician]

But...at the same time...rewirable fuses are NOT outlawed

by the current edition of the regulations.  Just because he

thought it was OLD does not mean that a change is needed.

Again, had testing been carried out at the time a more valid

judgement could have been made.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Tell the builder  your not happy with the sparky. When he realises what the job was he will quite rightly say its not his problem, but he will be mega pissed with the sparky  for doing 'private jobs' for his client and probably wont use him again. Doesn't fix your problem but  a bit of revenge for doing half a job.

 

[SBS Dave]

Hi MSE1828

You say that the kitchen lighting circuit trips, but does half of the house circuits trip at the same time?

If not, are we talking about a 17th Edition Split Board with 2 x RCDs, or RCBOs, one of which protects the downstairs lighting only?

I believe it would be a good idea to post a photo of the board on the Forum, with the lid off, assuming you know someone qualified to take the lid off.

It also presumes Forum rules allow you to post the photo.

With regard to redress, I would ask the builder if he can supply the Certificate for the work, or failing that, obtain the electrician's details from the builder.

If these tactics don't work, then suggest that because the installation is not working properly and apparently not tested, it may be dangerous and illegal and you will therefore approach your local Building Control, for further advice. That should trigger some action.

However, if you feel you just want to cut your losses and get the problem sorted professionally, then, as already suggested  let one of the local Forum Members resolve the problem for you.  Good Luck!!

SBS Dave

 

[Technician]

mse has all my sympathies and I think that he has

been taken for a sucker and that is a terrible shame.

It is no way to treat what I believe to be a more than

half decent guy.

 

[Theorysparky]

I think the sparky changed the board due to the work he was doing in the extension which means...........

he did not pre visit to give the customer an all in price knowing the board requires changing,,,,,,,,wonder what the water,gas bonding is like ????

 

[Steve3948]

More information needed.

1. Is it the Mcb that tripping or the Rcd or even RCBO ?

2. What type of light is it 4 X 20W, is it 12V or 230V, if 12v what type of transformer ?

3. What goes off when the device trips ?

He should have warned you that changing the fuseboard could cause issue's and that any issues detected during replacement would need rectifying at possible extra cost, or check all circuits before replacement and report findings, with rectification at extra cost.

 

[Andy™]

sound like a fault with your kitchen light that has always been there, but you have never had anythig there that was capable of detecting the fault. if it was one of my jobs, i usually add an extra hour for unforseen problems such as this, but any extra time required to find faults and you would be charged. its not the sparky's fault if your wiring has faults with it

 

[Sidewinder]

:worthless:     ; )           

 

[Andy™]

:worthless:     ; )           

 

[steptoe]

but its the sparks fault for not doing any testing and leaving the installation unuseable,

this is why I do a global IR at the very least before I start a CU change.

 

[Theorysparky]

He should have warned you that changing the fuseboard could cause issue's and that any issues detected during replacement would need rectifying at possible extra cost, or check all circuits before replacement and report findings, with rectification at extra cost.

And that is the difference between a cowboy and a competent spark

 

[betty swollocks]

I always do an IR before I do anything else, I always tell the customer that I will briefly check for any unknown faults before I start to change the cu and I always tell the customer i will discuss the findings before proceeding. That way if any faults are found, measures, prices, solutions can be discussed & agreed before we get to the 'well everything was ok before you changed the box' conversation. There has been a few times, the customer, on being told of a fault on whichever circuit, has simply said forget changing things well find somebody else, I've never once been paid for my time at this point, customers usually feel you are trying to engineer more work/money.

 

[Sidewinder]

This thread is typical of why I don't do domestic works!...

I've never been very good with a Crystal Ball, and my Tarot skills are pretty non existent.

 

[kerching]

Just to stick my oar in....if you are having an extension built then this would, i magine, be subject to building regs?

if this is the case then the Building Control dept will not usually sign off a job untilmthey see the Part P electrical notification and associated certificate.  This could prove interesting ANd also help in you identifying the sparks governing body

 

[steptoe]

or his mate down the pubs governing body,,,,,,,