Electrical Faults Which Are Expected To Have An Effect On A Domestic Electricity System

This short article is meant to provide you with some valuable information on common inadequacies within a domestic electrical installation.

Although electrical Inspections can be conducted by any competent electrician with the proper equipment, remedial works, particularly notifiable ones will will need to be conducted by a part P qualified electrician as well as the appropriate building controllers notified.

Should your electrician be a member of any of the below competent persons schemes, they may self certify the installation.

Competent persons schemes members.

British Standards Institution (BSI)

EC Certification Limited / ELECSA

NAPIT Registration Limited (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)

NICEIC Group Limited

Common fault No.1 - Lack of RCD protection on fuseboard.

One of the most typical defects with domestic electrical systems is the shortage of RCD protection on your consumer unit. The new Wiring Regulations BS 7671 came in to force at the end of June 2008, requiring much more extensive provision for RCD (residual circuit protection) of both domestic and non-domestic dwellings. The practicalities of meeting those requirements for protection are varied and too numerous to list in this article but examples of the implications are below.

All power sockets sockets from 13Amp - 20Amp for use by 'ordinary persons’ should normally be protected by a 30mA RCD.

In bathrooms for example RCD protection is now required for all circuits.

In summary, there are a number of approaches to fuse board design to meet the new regulations, some of which utilise traditional RCD main switch consumer units and split load consumer units, while some rely on the new version of dual RCD protected consumer units. Generally the installation of RCDs and RCBOs is now greater and there is mostly a trend towards larger consumer units with more ways available.

Common fault No.2 - Partial or incomplete bonding.

Electric shocks brought on by faulty appliances and charged metallic objects are often fatal. Therefore it’s of paramount importance all metallic items like gas and water pipes within a home are properly earthed to ensure that electricity to be dispersed safely. Bonding is the phrase used for connecting all metallic items that don’t normally carry a current (pipes etc) within a property, and also to the mains earth to avoid electric shocks.

In each electrical installation, mains bonding conductors(earthing wires) are required to connect with the main earthing terminal for the installation of the following items:

metal water service pipes

metal gas installation pipes

other metal service pipes and ducting

metal central heating and air con systems

exposed metal structural parts of the building

lightning protection systems

Common fault NO.3 - Inappropriate fittings in bathroom.

For Electrical safety, bathrooms pose a higher risk of electrocution due to the proximity of water. Electrical appliances commonly found here will need to demonstrate higher levels of protection in compliance with section 601 in the new wiring regulations.

Lighting

Extractor fans

Shaver sockets

Towel rails

Electrical equipment used in bathrooms must not adversely be effected by environmental factors.

Condensation

Humidity/steam

Drops of water

Sprays from showers

These can all create many problems to your electrical circuits and can be very dangerous.

I have been a qualified electrician for over thirty years but still I often require a little advice now and again, even the best fo us don't know it all. Electricin London Are the guys that I always call If I need help or advise.