PIR codes?

[fletchflash]

Just wondering what everyone thinks of these codes i gave on friday, finishing paperwork now.

Domestic PIR,

No earth on a lighting circuit, wired in 2 core aluminium.

All switchs are on plastic backboxes all fittings class 2.

I put code 4

Anyone think should have been a 2?

Another lighting circuit with a connection between earth and neutral, again all fittings class 2.

I put code 2, thinking maybe code 1 if any fittings were class 1?

whats anyone reckon? always nice to hear other views. cheers

 

[Megaohm7]

Apart from the all important sticker warning of no earthing facility on said circuit. You have to risk assess this as to potential shock risks. I would put code 2 as class 2 fittings are being used and fully explain the potential shock risks in the summary section of the PIR just in case there are class 1 fittings that could be fitted at a later date.

 

[fletchflash]

Have explained fully about the no earth situation and will probably recommend it rewired when i speak to cust later.

Was debating between code 2 or 4, everything is class 2 including plastic surface mounted back boxes. reason i put code 4 is because as far as i'm aware this complies to early versions of reg's.

 

[Megaohm7]

Mainly found in houses built before 1966 if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[fletchflash]

thought it was 60's but nice to know exact year. cheers mega

 

[Megaohm7]

thought it was 60's but nice to know exact year. cheers mega

Giving my age away mate..

 

[steptoe]

so why aluminium if wired in the '60s then?

or,

do you mean old twin cable with a lead sheath?

or simply old twin rubber ?

the problem here is are the cables big enough to take the current and VD? remember, copper is a lot lower resistance.

 

[NozSpark]

I'd have thought tinned copper myself??

 

[kerching]

Copperclad....mid 70s. brilliant stuff; throw it out and wait for the 'travelling community' to swoop on it. The look on their deeply deeply furrowed brows is priceless. AlCuMICC was even better. pure carp through and through...still got some of the terminations kicking about somewhere and the tools... :coat

 

[PC Electrics]

Based on your comment about the N-E short, I am assuming that these lighting circuits are not RCD protected. Correct?

Just wondering what everyone thinks of these codes i gave on friday, finishing paperwork now.Domestic PIR,

No earth on a lighting circuit, wired in 2 core aluminium.

All switchs are on plastic backboxes all fittings class 2.

There are two issues here:

1. Aly conductors, code 4 (aly not compliant with BS7671 or would be listed in tables)

2. No cpc, in this instance code 2 as there is no RCD protection (bet there are exposed screws at switches with metal backboxes). If there were RCD protection I'd say code 4.

I put code 4

Anyone think should have been a 2?

Another lighting circuit with a connection between earth and neutral, again all fittings class 2.

Any N-E short should be a code 2 IMO. Needs rectifying.

I put code 2, thinking maybe code 1 if any fittings were class 1?

whats anyone reckon? always nice to hear other views. cheers

Answers to these and many other similar questions here:

Best practice guides : Electrical Safety Council

 

[Sidewinder]

Think I'd go with PC on this one TBH.

There is an issue with Al & Cu & Brass with respect to elecrolytic corrosion, one reason why they were withdrawn.

Look up the electrochemical series and the results of putting metals on contact which are away from each other in this series.

However, alloys can reduce the issues and are not on the base metal list.

 

[steptoe]

old beetle engines had a load of problems with this reaction between metals.

 

[Manator]

I am in agreement with PC on this one, and as always with any code 1 or 2 a risk assessment should always be carried out, I would have no hesitation in giving a higher code if I had reason to suspect that a danger exists.

 

[fletchflash]

i did code the N-E fault a 2 (did say in OP)

I put the no earth on lights as a code 4. Your right about no RCD, normally I would code this a 2 if any exposed metal, screws etc. There was no exposed metal at all, all switches were on plastic backboxes so even screws weren't exposed.

 

[steptoe]

why would no RCD be a code 2 under any circumstances?

it wouldnt, its only ever going to be a code 4, provided of course the install was before it became a requirement to have one,

and although OP hasnt stated an age, going by cable type then I think its safely a code 4,

just because something else doesnt comply it doesnt make no RCD a higher code.!

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OK, scrub that,

Ive read it again and it makes more sense now.

sorry,