Paul Wilkins Electricien
  • Home
  • Services
  • Who We Are
  • Blog
  • Fully Insured
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

When one fuseboard is clearly better than two

11/24/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I had been asked to carry out some work to replace ceiling and wall lighting in a lounge as the customer wanted to update the light fittings. 

On commencement of works I had noticed that there were 2 fuseboards.   While 2 fuseboards are not a rarity, as you would have them supplying different areas i.e. main house and outbuildings [all separate dwellings, independent of main house must have their own fuseboard].  On this occasion it was most unusual as the fuseboards were placed next door to each other and was to purely allow for increased usage in the house. In this instance, the better option would have been to increase the size of the fuseboard and have everything on one board.  

The old fuseboard was not RCD protected and the new fuseboard had been fitted with RCD protection. My findings had identified that the circuits had not been protected by the main RCD on the new board and had in fact been wired incorrectly.  The incorrect wiring meant that the mcbs [miniature circuit breakers] would not trip in the event of a fault on the circuit. I advised client that this would have to be rectified.  While the work was carried out by a 'qualified' electrician, I was very surprised to see this kind of incompetence.

So before I began changing the light fittings, I installed an RCD and rectified the incorrect wiring on the old fuseboard.  I then correctly rewired the newer fuseboard so that the mcbs were protecting the circuits.

With the boards now wired correctly the RCDs began picking up the earth faults and were tripping respectively. This was traced back to a faulty old double socket which was disconnected.

If I could advise anyone it would be:
  • Please make sure that your work is carried out by a qualified, competent electrician. 
  • Make sure to check the siret number. This can be done online and will show you exactly what the person is qualified to do.
  • If you cannot check the siret, ask for the carte professionnelle. This has all the  information on the back of the card including work qualified to carry out.


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    These brief blogs are brought to you by Paul Wilkins of Paul Wilkins Electricien.

    Archives

    February 2024
    January 2024
    April 2023
    February 2023
    March 2020
    January 2020
    February 2018
    September 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    3Phase
    Appliances
    Customers
    Décennale Assurance
    Diagnostics
    Electric Heating
    Electricity
    Gites
    Homes In France
    Hot Tubs And Swimming Pools
    Leisure
    Lighting
    Miscellaneous
    Rewire
    Safe Electrics
    Safety
    Smoke Detection
    Ventilation
    Work I Have Done

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.