EICR question

[ericmark]

The big problem with the bathroom, in 2008 the rules for bonding were changed if, and only if, an RCD is fitted. The plumbing methods over the years have changed, so often new plumbing has resulted in the bonding only being fit for when an RCD is fitted.

The BS 7671 as said is not retrospective, however the Landlord law gave the date of the BS 7671 to be used. And the items to be included in the EICR rather than the inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment with the Landlord law is not the same as normally included with an EICR following the IET recommendations.

So in real terms, we have two completely different EICR's, those following standard electrical convention and those following the landlord law, the landlord law includes any equipment not classed as portable, so if over 18 kg no wheels, or bolted to wall or floor, it comes under the landlord law.

However, there is no question asked on the form, is this EICR for compliance with landlord law, so the electrician (inspector) can follow the same rules as used with commercial properties, and until there is some case law to say otherwise, he can test and test just 1/3 of the outlets for example, and if no fault found assume rest is OK.

So to get away without an RCD, the bonding must be sound, and nothing added or altered since 2004/8. And have paperwork to show what was installed before 2004/8, so the inspector knows he is inspecting something designed before that date. This is rare with domestic, so in real terms' no RCD is likely a fail.

As to defining a fail, we were code 1, 2, 3, 4. But it changed to C1, C2, C3 code 4 was dropped as it was felt unhelpful to state the BS 7671 regulation, all we are interested in is if dangerous or potentially dangerous. And if it was not dangerous in 1900 why is it now dangerous? Well, in the main, because we are using different equipment. Before 1966 we did not need earths to lights, well not quite true, there were some things which needed to be complied with, like being a filament lamp, and since we can't get them any more, clearly that bit is out.

With 74 turns to the coil, I do remember some of the old regulations, but with a young 30-year-old, who has only been qualified 10 years, is unlikely to remember what was permitted with the first BS 7671 which came out in 1992. Yes FIRST EDITION Entitled `Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Fire Risks Arising from Electric Lighting'. It was Issued in 1882. But it did not become BS 7671 until 1992. So in real terms I can see why what ever age the installation is, one would not go back further than 2008.