Consumer Unit Upgrade London: EICR, Part P & 18th Edition Guide

THE 18TH EDITION OF BS 7671 (REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS) CAME INTO FORCE ON 1 JANUARY 2019, REPLACING THE 17TH EDITION. THE 18TH EDITION INTRODUCED TWO MAJOR CHANGES THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT CONSUMER UNITS IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES:

ARC FAULT DETECTION DEVICES (AFDDs): THE 18TH EDITION (AND ITS 2022 AMENDMENT 2) STRONGLY RECOMMENDS — AND IN CERTAIN HIGH-RISK PREMISES REQUIRES — THE USE OF AFDD DEVICES THAT DETECT ELECTRICAL ARCING (A COMMON CAUSE OF DOMESTIC FIRES). AFDD COMBINED WITH RCBO PROTECTION IS NOW THE PREFERRED CONFIGURATION FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN NEW INSTALLATIONS AND MAJOR REWIRES. KEY PRODUCTS: HAGER QNAXXX SERIES AFDD-RCBO; EATON MEMSHIELD 3 AFDD-RCBO; SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IDPNACXX SERIES. AFDD-RCBO UNITS COST £30-£60 EACH VERSUS £10-£20 FOR A STANDARD RCBO.

FIRE-RATED CONSUMER UNIT ENCLOSURES: AMENDMENT 3 TO THE 17TH EDITION (EFFECTIVE FROM 1 OCTOBER 2016) REQUIRED ALL NEW CONSUMER UNITS IN DOMESTIC PREMISES TO HAVE AN ENCLOSURE CONSTRUCTED OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL — SPECIFICALLY METAL. PLASTIC ENCLOSURES ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE FOR NEW CONSUMER UNIT INSTALLATIONS. COMPLIANT PRODUCTS: HAGER VML910CP METAL CONSUMER UNIT (10-WAY, TYPE A); WYLEX NHXM10B METAL ENCLOSURE (10-WAY); EATON MEMMSHIELD 3 MEM16BOD (METAL ENCLOSURE, 16-WAY). OLDER PLASTIC CONSUMER UNITS (WYLEX PLASTIC, MK SENTRY PLASTIC) FAIL THIS REQUIREMENT AND SHOULD BE UPGRADED, PARTICULARLY IN OLDER LONDON PROPERTIES.

RCD PROTECTION: THE 18TH EDITION REQUIRES RCD (RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE) PROTECTION FOR ALMOST ALL FINAL CIRCUITS IN DOMESTIC PREMISES — SPECIFICALLY 30MA PROTECTION FOR SOCKET CIRCUITS, LIGHTING CIRCUITS, AND CIRCUITS SUPPLYING OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT. THE MOST COMMON COMPLIANT APPROACH IS TO USE RCBOS (COMBINED MCB + RCD DEVICES) ON EVERY CIRCUIT, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR A SPLIT-LOAD CONSUMER UNIT WITH SEPARATE RCD BANKS.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: ANY NEW CONSUMER UNIT INSTALLATION IN LONDON MUST USE A METAL ENCLOSURE, RCBO PROTECTION ON ALL CIRCUITS, AND — FOR NEW BUILDS AND MAJOR REWIRES — AFDD PROTECTION ON HIGH-RISK CIRCUITS.

AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITION REPORT (EICR) — FORMERLY CALLED A PERIODIC INSPECTION REPORT (PIR) — IS A FORMAL INSPECTION AND TEST OF AN EXISTING ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CARRIED OUT BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN. IT IS THE ELECTRICAL EQUIVALENT OF A STRUCTURAL SURVEY FOR AN OLDER PROPERTY.

WHEN IS AN EICR REQUIRED? — LANDLORDS RENTING PROPERTY IN ENGLAND: LEGALLY REQUIRED EVERY 5 YEARS OR AT CHANGE OF TENANCY UNDER THE ELECTRICAL SAFETY STANDARDS IN THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2020. THE EICR MUST BE CONDUCTED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON (TYPICALLY AN ELECTRICIAN REGISTERED WITH NICEIC, NAPIT, OR STROMA). A COPY MUST BE PROVIDED TO EACH TENANT AND TO THE LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY ON REQUEST. — PROPERTY PURCHASES: AN EICR IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED ON PURCHASE, BUT ANY PRUDENT PURCHASER SHOULD COMMISSION ONE, PARTICULARLY FOR OLDER LONDON PROPERTIES. EICRS REGULARLY IDENTIFY INSTALLATIONS WITH C1 (DANGER PRESENT) OR C2 (POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS) CODES THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE REMEDIATION. — HOME RENOVATION: WHEN ADDING NEW CIRCUITS (KITCHEN CIRCUITS, EV CHARGER CIRCUIT, GARDEN ELECTRICS) OR EXTENDING AN EXISTING INSTALLATION, THE EXISTING INSTALLATION SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR ADEQUACY AND COMPLIANCE. — AFTER FLOOD OR FIRE DAMAGE: AN EICR IS MANDATORY BEFORE REINSTATING AN INSTALLATION THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY WATER OR FIRE.

EICR CODES: C1 — DANGER PRESENT: RISK OF INJURY; REMEDIATION REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY. C2 — POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS: URGENT REMEDIATION REQUIRED. C3 — IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDED: NOT DANGEROUS, BUT WOULD BENEFIT FROM UPGRADE. FI — FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED: CANNOT BE ASSESSED WITHOUT FURTHER TESTING.

EICR COSTS IN LONDON: — STANDARD 3-BEDROOM HOUSE: £250-£400 — LARGER PROPERTY (4-5 BEDROOMS): £350-£550 — FLAT: £150-£300 EICRS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY AN ELECTRICIAN REGISTERED WITH NICEIC (NATIONAL INSPECTION COUNCIL FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONTRACTING), NAPIT, OR STROMA — THE THREE MAIN COMPETENT PERSON SCHEMES FOR ELECTRICAL WORK IN THE UK.

PART P OF THE BUILDING REGULATIONS REQUIRES THAT MOST ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WORK IN DWELLINGS IS CARRIED OUT BY A COMPETENT PERSON — OR IS NOTIFIED TO AND INSPECTED BY BUILDING CONTROL. IN PRACTICE, THIS MEANS THAT VIRTUALLY ALL ELECTRICAL WORK BEYOND SIMPLE LIKE-FOR-LIKE REPLACEMENTS MUST EITHER BE CARRIED OUT BY A REGISTERED ELECTRICIAN WHO CAN SELF-CERTIFY, OR BE APPROVED BY BUILDING CONTROL.

WORK THAT REQUIRES BUILDING CONTROL NOTIFICATION (UNLESS DONE BY A REGISTERED COMPETENT PERSON): — NEW CONSUMER UNIT INSTALLATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS — NEW CIRCUITS (KITCHEN, BATHROOM, EV CHARGER, GARDEN) — ADDITIONAL CIRCUITS IN SPECIAL LOCATIONS (KITCHENS, BATHROOMS) — ADDITIONS TO EXISTING CIRCUITS IN KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

SELF-CERTIFICATION: ELECTRICIANS REGISTERED WITH NICEIC, NAPIT, STROMA, ELECSA, OR BRE CERTIFICATION CAN SELF-CERTIFY THEIR WORK UNDER PART P WITHOUT BUILDING CONTROL INVOLVEMENT. AFTER COMPLETING THE WORK, THEY ISSUE: — A MINOR WORKS CERTIFICATE (FOR SMALL ADDITIONS TO EXISTING CIRCUITS) — AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE (EIC) (FOR NEW CIRCUITS AND CONSUMER UNIT INSTALLATIONS) — A BUILDING REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (ISSUED BY THE COMPETENT PERSON SCHEME TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITY AND PROVIDED TO THE HOMEOWNER)

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME: IF ELECTRICAL WORK WAS CARRIED OUT WITHOUT A BUILDING REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE OR AN EIC, SOLICITORS AND BUYERS MAY REQUIRE AN EICR BEFORE EXCHANGE, INDEMNITY INSURANCE, OR RETROACTIVE INSPECTION AND REMEDIATION. MISSING ELECTRICAL CERTIFICATION IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF PROPERTY TRANSACTION DELAYS IN LONDON.

A CONSUMER UNIT UPGRADE INVOLVES REMOVING THE EXISTING FUSE BOARD OR CONSUMER UNIT AND REPLACING IT WITH A MODERN, COMPLIANT UNIT. THE PROCESS TYPICALLY INVOLVES:

STEP 1 — DISCONNECTION: THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER (UNITED UTILITIES, UK POWER NETWORKS, OR SIMILAR FOR LONDON) MUST DISCONNECT THE SUPPLY AT THE SERVICE HEAD BEFORE THE OLD CONSUMER UNIT CAN BE SAFELY REMOVED. UK POWER NETWORKS (UKPN) IS THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OPERATOR FOR LONDON. ELECTRICIANS MUST GIVE 24-48 HOURS' NOTICE TO UKPN TO ARRANGE A TEMPORARY DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION.

STEP 2 — ASSESSMENT: THE EXISTING CABLES, EARTHING, AND BONDING ARE INSPECTED. THE MAIN EARTHING TERMINAL AND EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING CONDUCTORS TO GAS AND WATER SERVICES ARE CHECKED AND UPGRADED IF REQUIRED. IN OLDER LONDON PROPERTIES, TN-S EARTHING (VIA THE METAL SHEATH OF THE INCOMING SUPPLY CABLE) OR TT EARTHING (VIA AN EARTH ROD) MAY BE PRESENT — BOTH REQUIRE DIFFERENT EARTHING CONDUCTOR SIZES THAN THE MORE COMMON TN-C-S (PME) EARTHING.

STEP 3 — NEW CONSUMER UNIT INSTALLATION: THE NEW METAL CONSUMER UNIT IS FIXED, BUSBAR FITTED, AND INDIVIDUAL RCBOS OR AFDD-RCBOS ARE INSTALLED FOR EACH CIRCUIT. CIRCUITS ARE RECONNECTED, LABELLED, AND TESTED.

STEP 4 — TESTING AND CERTIFICATION: FULL TESTING OF THE INSTALLATION IS CARRIED OUT PER BS 7671 CHAPTER 6 — INSULATION RESISTANCE TESTING, POLARITY CHECKS, EARTH FAULT LOOP IMPEDANCE TESTING, AND RCD OPERATION TESTING. AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE (EIC) IS ISSUED.

COMPLIANT PRODUCTS (METAL CONSUMER UNITS): — HAGER VML910CP (10-WAY, METAL, TYPE A SURGE PROTECTION COMPATIBLE): £95-£130 SUPPLY ONLY — WYLEX NHXM10B (10-WAY METAL, WYLEX RCBO COMPATIBLE): £80-£110 — EATON MEMSHIELD 3 (12-WAY, METAL): £90-£120 — SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IKSPLIT10B (10-WAY SPLIT LOAD, METAL): £85-£115

COST OF A CONSUMER UNIT UPGRADE IN LONDON: — STANDARD 3-BEDROOM HOUSE (10-12 CIRCUITS): £600-£1,200 — LARGER PROPERTY (16-20 CIRCUITS): £1,000-£2,000 — WITH AFDD-RCBO ON ALL CIRCUITS (PREMIUM): £1,500-£3,000+ — INCLUDES UKPN DISCONNECTION FEE, MATERIALS, LABOUR, AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGER INSTALLATION IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS LONDON HOMEOWNERS UPGRADE THEIR CONSUMER UNIT. A 7.4KW HOME CHARGER (THE STANDARD SINGLE-PHASE RESIDENTIAL CHARGER) DRAWS 32 AMPS AT 240V — EQUIVALENT TO EIGHT ELECTRIC KETTLES RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY. THIS LOAD MUST BE ON A DEDICATED CIRCUIT FROM THE CONSUMER UNIT.

EV CHARGER ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS: — DEDICATED 7MM2 (FOR RUNS UP TO 15M) OR 10MM2 (FOR LONGER RUNS) TWIN AND EARTH CABLE FROM CONSUMER UNIT TO CHARGER LOCATION — 40-AMP MCB OR RCBO IN CONSUMER UNIT (TYPE B FOR STANDARD CHARGERS, TYPE C FOR CHARGERS WITH LARGE INRUSH CURRENT) — THE CHARGER ITSELF PROVIDES RCD AND EARTH FAULT PROTECTION (OCPP-COMPLIANT CHARGERS INCLUDE BUILT-IN PROTECTION) — FOR WALL-MOUNTED CHARGERS: MINIMUM IP54 RATING FOR OUTDOOR INSTALLATION

POPULAR CHARGERS: OHME HOME PRO (7.4KW, SMART, DYNAMIC LOAD BALANCING); EASEE ONE (7.4KW, DYNAMIC LOAD BALANCING); ZAPPI ECO (7.4KW, SOLAR-INTEGRATED, MYENERGI); ANDERSEN A2 (7.4KW, PREMIUM FINISH, INTEGRATED CABLE MANAGEMENT).

EV CHARGER GRANT: THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGEPOINT GRANT (EVC GRANT) PROVIDES £350 OFF THE COST OF A CHARGEPOINT FOR HOMEOWNERS WITH DEDICATED OFF-STREET PARKING IN ENGLAND. APPLICATION IS MADE BY THE APPROVED INSTALLER.

PART P AND OLEV REQUIREMENTS: EV CHARGER INSTALLATION REQUIRES A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN WHO IS REGISTERED ON THE OFFICE FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES (OZEV) APPROVED INSTALLER LIST IN ORDER TO CLAIM THE EVC GRANT. THE INSTALLATION MUST COMPLY WITH THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE (SMART CHARGE POINTS) REGULATIONS 2021, WHICH REQUIRE ALL NEW CHARGEPOINTS TO BE SMART-ENABLED (CAPABLE OF TIME-OF-USE TARIFF RESPONSE).

COST OF EV CHARGER INSTALLATION IN LONDON: £900-£1,500 INCLUDING CHARGER SUPPLY, CABLING, CONSUMER UNIT MCBO/RCBO, AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE (AFTER EVC GRANT: £550-£1,150).