I the executor of my parent's house. I am preparing it to sell, and I will need to apply for an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).
There is power supplied to a shed near the house. Likely this conformed to regulations when it was built. However, some of the walls of the shed have weathered and rotted over the years. While the open areas aren't close to the electrical systems, I think I should disconnect the power to the shed.
There is a fused switch inside the house, and a weatherproof cable runs outside to the circuit breaker box in the shed.
I suppose I have three options to make everything safe for EI Certification...
1. Remove the fuse in the fused switch inside the house.
2. Take the switch apart, isolate the shed power wires, and fit a blanking plate.
3. Get someone to completely remove the exterior cabling. This cabling disappears into the exterior wall at a position that corresponds to the internal switch. Presumably the cable is secured behind the switch somewhere. But this solution sounds tricker than the others.
Which of these solutions would suffice? Or any other suggestions?
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
It’s an electrical installation condition report you will need. You can employ the services of an approved local electrician who can test and inspect the property, then issue the correct paperwork. He will also be able to isolate the shed supply and make safe. If the cable is in good condition it can be left for the next owners who may wish to install a new shed. As long as it’s safe and labelled correctly it will be fine.
In my opinion the second is the most appropriate option. The shed circuit cables must be isolated, disconnected L and N and removing from C/Unit or terminated in block connector together or in CU earth bar. That is in terms if the shed might be restored in near future.
The easiest answer would be to remove the fuse from the switch and disconnect the wire going to the shed at the switch. This would prevent anyone from “accidentally turning the power back on” an electrician carrying out the inspection can see steps have been taken to isolate the supply. The comments section in the EICR woud have something written by the electrician carrying out the inspection saying something like. Supply has been isolated to outbuilding, before power is restored it is advised the electrical installation is fully inspected and tested to ensure it is safe for use.
Switch it off remove fuse. The electrician who performs the EICR will report the condition of the circuit. It will be up to the buyers of the property to get it sorted. As part of the purchase conditions they may insist it is fixed but I think this is highly unlikely
