Earthing light circuits

[Livwilson]

Help!

I've embarked on converting my garage into a kitchen and thought this would be the ideal time to upgrade the electrics.

I've had a new consumer unit put in and the electrician has said that all the lights in the house need earthing. My Dad says this isn't necessary (and is not an electrician) and Im am now in a pickle as I havent got the faintest idea.

Do I listen to my Dad or the electrician?

 

[sparkyspike]

Listen to the electrician. If you have no CPC (earth conductor in the cable) then you could do with the circuit replacing.

If you have had a new CU fitted, then this problem will have been noted in the EIC that the electrician has given you. If he is a member of a Part P scheme and has provided you with a certificate and has notified the council of the work done, then he probably knows what he is talking about.

If he has not provided you with these things, then maybe your Dad is right after all.

If you have no CPC in the lighting circuit, the implications are a) You are limited to having to fit double insulated fittings and plastic switches throughout your house b) You have an out of date and potentially dangerous installation c) You may have trouble selling your house in the future.

 

[roberta1000]

A bit over the top sparkyspike, this is a pretty common situation, isn't dangerous so long as the issues are recognised and certainly wouldn't affect a house sale unless the wiring is actually so old as to demand replacement.

I would normally lay things out to the customer and make sure they understood what I was telling them but I wouldn't unconditionally recommend a rewire.

 

[RF Lighting]

I would.

Obviously I wouldn't force a customer into having the circuit rewired, neither would I resort to scaremongering, but I would recommend a rewire every time regardless.

The desire for shiny switches usually sways things these days

 

[Livwilson]

Thanks guys, I've 2nd spark round tonight to advice and price as the others appear to want me to rob a bank!

Shiny sockets do have more appeal than plastic ones and are already fitted in places.

Will listen to the spark as would prefer the work to be certified rather than not!

Cheers Guys

 

[harrisonline]

I was just speaking to an electrician who was PIR testing and he said to me because I have the same problem with no earth.

"If the circuit appears to have been installed in compliance with the regulations current at the time of installation. So in my case approx 14th edition??? (1966) it's presumed to be safe."

 

[roberta1000]

As I rather said earlier this is my view too and I think it's the correct one otherwise we would be uprevving things every time the standards altered.

However just because the circuit is 'safe' doesn't mean it's safe for every use and of course swapping some old bakelite fitting for a shiny brass one wouldn't be.

So I try to make sure that the customer understands clearly what I'm telling him (and I confirm it on my report).