Published: 5 January 2009
Category: Q&A
Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This one, concerning consumer unit testing in a house of bedsits, is answered by the NICEIC:
Question: I've been to look at a job in a converted house what has six bedsits on two floors. Each room has its own consumer unit and is fed by two main consumer units - one for each floor - which are split by a Henley Block. Do all the units need testing separately, or just the main ones? And what do I do when there are two main units?
Answer: How much testing is required would depend on the work you are there to carry out. If you are to complete an electrical installation certificate, for instance, the amount of testing required should be sufficient to verify the extent of the work carried out, as detailed in the extent of work section on page 1. Also included should be a verification that the existing arrangements comply with BS 7671, such as adequacy of earthing and bonding arrangements.
Answer: How much testing is required would depend on the work you are there to carry out. If you are to complete an electrical installation certificate, for instance, the amount of testing required should be sufficient to verify the extent of the work carried out, as detailed in the extent of work section on page 1. Also included should be a verification that the existing arrangements comply with BS 7671, such as adequacy of earthing and bonding arrangements.
If it is a Periodic Inspection Report on the entire building however, then this may require the testing of every distribution board and consumer unit, including every final circuit and distribution circuit. Limitations can exist for this report, but should be agreed with the client and clearly shown within the Limitations section of the report.
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