08/01/2026
To all that see this please, please read entirely, and make sure that your electrical installation is fit for purpose and safe to use!!!
As we need to plug in more appliances and big power users it’s important that you are safe to do so!!
Having received a call after a customer was having issues with power when he plugged in a portable heater with power consumption of 2.8kw, that’s similar to a kettle into a socket, which were working when low power devices were connected as expected but each time he plugged the heater in, it wouldn’t operate as it should!
I arrived to the property, in didsbury, which was situated in a gated community, and may of only been built in the last decade or so, the customer informed me he purchased a little over three years ago, and hadn’t had any issues during this time, I put my money on the heater having an issue and not the fixed wiring of the installation.
Well I was wrong, the heater was modern and was equipped with all the features that I expected to see, with thermal cut outs and auto sleep should you not power it down over prolonged periods of time!
My first port of call was to, test the outlets affected with an my calibrated multi test machine, to check the hardwiring was in the parameters expected outlined in the current wiring guidelines of the 18th edition BS7681 Amendment 3, which references a maximum Zs reading on a B type 32amp breaker to be 1.37ohms, that’s maximum and lower is better, most often within a range of 0.48 to 0.80 but it’s acceptable at the maximum, and if it’s a greater reading than that then, the issue needs to be rectified.
Well my reading across multiple outlets came in around 1.71ohms to 1.93ohms which sent red flags, immediately and I was needing to investigate this to resolve and remedy, to be sure I did a quick on/off of the isolation switch, as in previous instances this can some times reduce the reading, if the switch has not been operated in long periods of time, well this opened a second can of worms, with my tester now not being able to perform its job, indicating a conductor was now missing because the required connections were not present.
Off I went to the east wing where the consumer unit was located, when I was informed there was noises coming from and were amplified when the heater was connected to the circuit!
A quick glance over the mandatory information, situated on the cover of the unit, informed me that there had been a Condition Report (EiCR) carried out in June of 2021, this would be for two reasons
1, because it’s recommended every five years in a residential property / change of tenant (Which ever comes first)
2, because the consumer unit had been replaced
My understanding was that the consumer unit was of 18th edition construction, covering additional protection, and being of a non combustible material
Although it was lacking a surge protection device which was introduced in the 3rd amendment of the 18th Edition
This led me to believe it’s the original consumer unit, when the electrical system was installed and I’m expecting a satisfactory outcome as required when completing said report, as any issues which are categorised in order of importance as follows
C1 danger present (Electric shock, fire)
C2 potentially dangerous (future fault occurs)
C3 improvement recommended (not to current regs)
C1 and C2’s should be rectified as soon as possible
And this is mandatory due to the risks given
Where’s as C3’s should be rectified when new work is carried out so that it conforms to the regulations of the present, as installation which have been installed to previous regs will be fit for purpose, providing all installed systems are in good condition.
Well in this case I cannot say this was correct of the installation in front of me because the problem was very evident to me, when I entered the consumer unit and was definitely a C1 and could of led to serious issue shad it not been highlighted by the customer having this issue with his portable heater!
And this was an issue from either install or the EiCR being carried out, and is down to poor workmanship and negligence because of such a simple practice when completed correctly!!!
The screw which connected the conductor to its postion within the consumer unit had not been tightened appropriately and this lead to a problem called arcing, which is the flow of Electricty jumping from two points creating heat and visual light which damages all that should be connected and tight, an example of this would be the faraday cage, or the static ball and belt you would of seen at school.
This leads to fire and death simple as that!!!
And incarceration to those that were responsible for the malpractice for the possible lost of property and life
Therefore I’m advising all that read this check you consumer unit, check the information on it and keep to the recommend dates to have the next EiCR performed for your peace of mind and the safety of all that you hold near!!!
Contact Me or your trusted electrician, to arrange for your EiCR as everyone needs one
