problems arising from new consumer unit

Installing a new consumer unit in an older property can often throw up such problems,your current sparks should of advised you of this beforehand.By all means get a second opinion but in my experience it is quite a common issue.

Always get 2 or 3 quotes a good electrician will/should tell you about the existing installation and possible additional cost that may be involved, remember you are not contracted to this person so dont worry and ask to see his registration number for his registered company if he says he not got one walk away.

Dear Customer , Thank you for the posting of your problem.. It is clear case that the guy who place the fuse board > 1) Not performed full check on your wiring before changing your fuse board... 2) Not given you certificate as soon as he connected your all circuit lighting circuit start tripping...It may be mixed up cables in the fuse board , it may be the fault was there and he did not disclosed this as he may be started your fuse board without inspecting your all circuits.. 3) Do not believe in website services...check with governing registered company with member details and trust mark website...and phone some real customer from him up to 5 people 4) If you don't have any contract in form of any one of > writing/ e-mail/fax / sms message from him. He likely to hide himself... 5) If you likely to go ahead for legal way than please complain to his company in writing and then give 24/48 hrs and clearly say if not responded than mentioned him that you will call third party (Other company to investigate) and take proper findings and go to small claim court.... (This last step) if is good electrician than you will get him back and you ask full refund to spend on other electrician or company to get all in order as per regulation... All the best fighting electrical crime.... Many thanks...

Is your electrician Part P registered? Ask him. Anybody or company carrying out electrical work in the home needs to be registered, typically with either NICEIC, NAPIT, ECA, ELECSA. Ask him what the nature of the fault is that would cause the RCD to trip if Installed on the RCD protected side of the board. Under BS7671 2008 every circuit requires RCD protection typically via a dual RCD board or individual RCBOs. If you don't fully trust your current guy, then you could consult another electrician. Ask the new electrician to inspect and test the circuits in question which have supposedly got the problem. You can find a registered sparks via any of the websites of the trade bodies I mentioned above. Just as a note... Has your current lighting circuits got no earth conductor? If this is the case then it is advisable to update the wiring for those circuits. If you have no earth in your lighting but the insulation resistance is ok then it can be left in place, but you can have NO metal fittings or fixtures on that circuit unless low voltage or double insulated. This may be the reason he is recommending rewire but no cpc on lighting wouldn't cause the RCD to trip. Most likely it will be a very low or zero reading for insulation resistance on the circuit in question. Could even be a borrowed neutral. Whatever the problem is I think he is being a bit unprofessional by not keeping you informed as to exactly what the problem may be. Best bet is to get a second opinion as you can only assess so much over the net. Good luck, Rob

I suggest that you do not use the electrician again. Before installing a new consumer unit, a full inspection and test of the wiring should have been completed. That test would have highlighted any problems with the fixed wiring and the electrician should have told you and quoted you. Please consult a real, properly qualified electrical engineer.