Settle an arguement lads!!

[oharaf]

I went to look at enstalling some down lighters today, the customer is an ex-electrician.

When i told him that if he wanted to install downlighters he would either need a cu that provided rcd protection (he has a wylex rewireable) or that I would need to add a smaller unit to provide the RCD protection for the circuit that he wants the down lighters on.

He said there was nothing in the new regs that required it and i pointed out that by adding any new or extending a circuit will require it to have RCD protection, as per the regs.

I am right am i not!!!

 

[Adam_151]

Are you concealing new cabling in wall as part of the work (eg new switch drop)

If not, then I see no reason why you should have to provide RCD protection (except if the additional light points are in the bathroom)

 

[electronicsuk]

Are you concealing new cabling in wall as part of the work (eg new switch drop)

If not, then I see no reason why you should have to provide RCD protection (except if the additional light points are in the bathroom)

Agreed. Plus, you could easily install an RCD FCU if such protection is required.

 

[oharaf]

Hey, really good point there lads, the spots are for the living room first floor flat, cables in the loft, no new switch drop or cables to be buried in a wall so, agreed, no need for RCD protection, thou it would be preferable in my opinion. Will have to eat some humble pie, mind he is on about having some in the bathroom eventually, but will mention this as well

 

[Doodley]

If the cables are in the loft then surely it requires 30mA RCD? they are not in metallic tube and not buried less than 50mm and could easily become damaged moving boxes around etc?

 

[RF Lighting]

Nope. The regulation relates to a cable concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of less than 50mm from the surface of the wall or partition.

 

[Doodley]

So when has a ceiling not been a partition then? I think i would personally install some form of RCD just to cover my own arse!

 

[RF Lighting]

A ceiling has never been a partition. The giveaway is in the fact it is called a ceiling and not a partition.

There is absouloutly no requirement at all to RCD protect a cable in a loft.

I think you should spend a bit more time learning BS7671:2008 to make sure your ass is covered.

 

[Doodley]

Yeah a partition is a vertical structure, i dont know of any vertical ceilings! whoops!

 

[wotan]

OP

Installing not enstalling