Proving units

[Welderpaul]

Asking for a friend..

Does a proving unit need to be the same make as the tester being proved?

 

[Anguz]

no

 

[Parm]

Nope, our electrical engineers have them. It’s a different make to the other gear, but they do need to be calibrated / tested on a regular basis

 

[Robotstar5]

Nope

 

[Welderpaul]

Thanks all - Q number 2

18th edition asks for an SPD in a consumer unit? Ours is a metal board around 3 years old. I would guess 17th edition then?
There's a load of spare ways so is it worth fitting one to protect computers etc?

 

[brightspark]

if u have computers and your aeria is susceptible to power surges or lightning worth having or just use 4 gang surge protected leads . same thing if your fitting new boards in houses you ask the punter if he requires a surge protected board if not u mark it up that he has declined . difference in price of a board fitted with one is 75 quid extra

 

[mtt.tr]

Best spd to retrofit would be the inline from meter tails type.

These work well as they deal with the problem of return path length, cant remember the term and im not going to the van at this time of the night.

 

[mtt.tr]

This is the puppy

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...M2ujx0m9YDW8UaO7YajiY3YShwbY2mNBoCQuIQAvD_BwE

 

[Onoff]

Don't forget to do a risk assessment to see if they're necessary and if so fit AFDDs as well!

 

[Welderpaul]

Don't forget to do a risk assessment to see if they're necessary and if so fit AFDDs as well!

Interesting read up thanks for the info. Are they a requirement of 18th ed though? There will be no room left soon for MCBs with a main switch, SPD, and RCBs

 

[Onoff]

Interesting read up thanks for the info. Are they a requirement of 18th ed though? There will be no room left soon for MCBs with a main switch, SPD, and RCBs

View attachment 234839

The Wylex (as an example) single module, combined RCBO with integral AFDD goes some way to solving the space issue:

https://www.wylexreasons.co.uk/Content/pdf/Wylex-Single-Mod-Arc-Fault-WY2538.pdf

Just need to do them DP now.

 

[Welderpaul]

Live and learn! Wylex must have been around for donkeys years, they made the rewirebles that every house in the 70s/80s had?

Our 3 year old installation has a metal board, main switch 2 RCBS and rows of MCBs.

My mates house has had a brand new DB fitted which has a main switch and SPD and RCBOs. Does 18th ed ask for RCBOs to be used instead of MCBs?

 

[Onoff]

Does 18th ed ask for RCBOs to be used instead of MCBs?

Worms / can!

Section 314 says about dividing every installation into "circuits" so as to minimise danger and inconvenience in the even of a fault on one circuit. It's long been the case that split load installs such as yours were seen as the common way around that, as in Upstairs Lights on RCD1, Downstairs Lights on RCD2 and so on. That I think was more done as RCBOs were seen as so bloody expensive compared to an mcb. So cost came/comes in to it though I don't think it should. Let's face it the regs has more grey areas than an elephant. It wants some governing body to say "this is how it should be done". All the scams are basically cash cows allowing any 5ww with a cheque book in. Don't get me started.....

Not sure soon you'll even be allowed to do an EICR on an install you were deemed competent to install AND TEST & INSPECT in the first place without another bit of paper. Mental!

 

[Welderpaul]

5 week wonder?

These governing bodies always seem to water down their effectiveness by trying to extract as much cash out of everyone as humanly possible. I know they are businesses so need money to function, but the introduction of all these millions of different schemes that all conflict with each other do seem very unnecessary.
Its the same in construction, there's 8 different schemes could be members of. We're members of 4 schemes that is the minimum (and at the highest membership level possible), all our customers seem to readily accept my thoughts behind 'streamlining' our accreditations.

Constructionline Gold, Safecontractor, CE Marking BS1090 accrediation and ISO9001 does us. We'll be doing BS18001 later in the year.

Anyway.

If you are NICEIC registered does anyone inspect your work?

 

[Onoff]

If you are NICEIC registered does anyone inspect your work?

You have an annual assessment. Not just NICEIC but all the schemes.

I'm not personally in a scam if that's what you were asking. I work on commercial stuff anyway. Just got a few bits of paper when I decided I was doing as much electrical work as mechanical; 2330 Level 3, 18th, EAL Part P from years back when it was all the rage. Wish I hadn't bothered tbh sometimes. Whatever you do/know someone comes along and decides you need something else and want ££££. Ignorance was bliss.

Considering joining a scheme at the moment though as I'm a landlord.

 

[brightspark]

[a mate of mine was an accessor and inspector for the nic eic for a number of years as well as working for himself .even he got his work inspected every year by one of there other inspectors. used to have him work for me quite regular .before he gave it up. if I was doing projects at the school and he was with me he used to ask me how I wanted it doing your doing your bit how u want and im doing mine my way never had a problem getting my jobs looked at. keeps u on your toes

 

[mtt.tr]

They exist for a good reason but are have become a cash cow

I was going to join in feb glad i i didn't, took my friends money wont assess and wont let him do certs. He will end up paying again im 5 months

He asked to cancel and go again when they will come out, the response was will reflect badly when rejoining

 

[sparkysy]

They are completely a cash cow!
And the IET are too! Constantly changing the regs and charging for new books and updates. Once you have a current set of regs the amendments should be free!
Don't get me started on it as it all drives me nuts!
I have been NAPIT, ELECSA and now STROMA over the years since it all started and they are only interested in payment after that they couldn't give a flying F. Even if you contact them about dodgy work they just say the customer has to deal with the original spark to try and get it rectified or pay someone else to put it right.
The good intentions were there at the start with the idea, unfortunately it was poorly executed and continues to be and always will!

Also next big scam will be having to register to do the new landlords certification that has just started, adding more cost to an already expensive industry.
Sy

 

[mtt.tr]

They are completely a cash cow!
And the IET are too! Constantly changing the regs and charging for new books and updates. Once you have a current set of regs the amendments should be free!
Don't get me started on it as it all drives me nuts!
I have been NAPIT, ELECSA and now STROMA over the years since it all started and they are only interested in payment after that they couldn't give a flying F. Even if you contact them about dodgy work they just say the customer has to deal with the original spark to try and get it rectified or pay someone else to put it right.
The good intentions were there at the start with the idea, unfortunately it was poorly executed and continues to be and always will!

Also next big scam will be having to register to do the new landlords certification that has just started, adding more cost to an already expensive industry.
Sy

Well nic wont let you unless you have level 3 testing i do intend to do it for that reason.

Though i know loads of highly certified sparks who cant find basic faults.

 

[Onoff]

Just reading up I dont think I can join a scheme. All I have is 2330 Level 3, 18th (and 17th before that) and EAL Part P.

2330 isn't an NVQ so I imagine it's a no go. Keep debating doing the 2391. When I could have & cheaply (pre the 2394/2395 debacle) my job was iffy so I didn't. £450 it would have cost me!

Hindsight!

Got quoted £250-300 recently for a landlord's EICR.