Electrical Safety Council

PERIODIC INSPECTION OF EXISTING DOMESTIC AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS

PDQ1

During periodic inspections of domestic electrical installations, I often find that cables that are concealed in walls at a depth of less than 50 mm have no additional protection by means of an RCD, as is now required for installations complying with the 17th Edition. What Recommendation Code should I give?

PDA1

Code 4. Although existing installations need to be assessed against the requirements of the 17th Edition, this does not necessarily mean that they require upgrading, unless a departure from the latest requirements constitutes a real or potential danger.

Introduction to BS 7671: 2008

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The Electrical Safety Council and other members of the forum believe that the guidance and information contained in this section of the website is correct, but all parties must rely on their own skill and judgement when making use of it. Neither the Electrical Safety Council nor any of the other members of the forum assumes any liability to anyone for any loss or damage caused by any error or omission in this section of the website, whether such error or omission is the result of negligence or any other cause. Where reference is made to legislation, it is not to be considered as legal advice. Any and all such liability is disclaimed.

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all references to ‘RCD’ in this section relate to residual current devices having a rated residual operating current (IΔn ) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at a residual operating current of 5 IΔn provided as additional protection in the event of failure of the provision for basic protection and/or the provision for fault protection or carelessness by users (Regulation 415.1.1)

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