Q & A of the Day - Is this 16th Edition installation acceptable?

Question: I have been asked to inspect garage and loft conversion. The problem is that the customer was carrying out the conversion on his own and it took three years to complete. The electrical work was completed by a certified electrician two years before the introduction of the current BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition). The installation is protected by an RCD.

Looking at the observations and recommendation section of the certificate, would selecting No 4 ('does not comply with BS 7671: 2008') be enough to pass the installation if no other problems were found?

Answer: If the installation was designed to the BS 7671: 2002 (16th Edition) and work was started prior to the implementation date for BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition), then the work should have been verified as compliant with the 16th Edition.

However, from your question you do not mention specifically the reason why you have been asked to inspect and test the installation - is this because the installation was not initially verified when completed two years ago? If so, then you require to carry out a periodic inspection and test using BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition) as the basis for periodic inspection report, which should be given to your client. This would allow for the limitations to your inspection work - such as not being able to verify concealed cables behind walls, under floors and above ceilings etc.

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