Q & A of the Day - Can I use redundant night storage wiring for new heaters?

Question: I've been asked to carry out a Periodic Test and add some wall heaters at the same time to a property just about to go on the rental market. Having had a very quick visual look already, it's my intention to use redundant night-storage wiring (subject to satisfactory cable testing, of course) to fit the new heaters. This should avoid new chasing etc, as the property's owners have just decorated. My plan is to then either wire them back into the main board (BS3036 fuses) if suitable, or keep them in the old night storage board and fit an upstream main switch and RCD to service both boards.

BS7671:2008 and GN3 are both a bit vague on the definition of a 'new circuit' in this instance - what are your thoughts?

Answer: Firstly, it generally isn't acceptable to have the whole of an installation on one 30mA RCD, if that's what you are thinking of. A 30mA RCD could be used to protect the heater circuits. You have a choice: if you are not changing the board, you could use a Minor Works for each circuit, but my preference would be to use one Installation Certificate and make it clear that the circuits already existed.

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