Q & A of the Day - Must I change this bonding and consumer unit?

Question: I'm altering the electrical installation and adding extra sockets to a house having a new kitchen fitted, although the gas and water is already bonded only 6mm. Must I change them regardless, as the owner says that he can't afford the work at the moment? Or should I leave and make notes in 'Comments'?

Also, the consumer unit is re-wirable. Should I change the entire consumer unit for a new 17th Edition version, or can I just install an RCD to protect existing sockets and the new kitchen sockets?

Answer: Any circuits that you work on have to comply with current regulations. Therefore, if there is a requirement to RCD protect them, then you must do so. You are not responsible for the existing installation, but you have a duty of care to ensure what is already there is safe and is adequate for you to add additional circuits to.

Regulation 131.8 requires you to ensure that earthing arrangements are adequate, and this depends on the type of earthing arrangement present. Please refer to Regulation 544.1.1 for main protective bonding conductors as reference for compliance.

Important note:

The NICEIC believes that the guidance and information contained within this correspondence is correct, but all parties must rely on their own skill and judgment when making use of it. The NICEIC assumes no liability whatsoever to anyone for any loss or damage caused by any error or omission in this correspondence, whether such error or omission is the result of negligence or any other cause. Any such liability is disclaimed.

To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link:

www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions