Issue 3

August 2000


This issue will only deal with 4 Specific items namely:
(A) National Rules for Electrical Installation - Third Edition
(B) New Type Certs which you may be using since earlier this year
(C) Letters from ESB in relation to new Job Reference Numbers and Interim Completion Certificates
(D) Your Duty as a member of ECSSA


(A) The Third Edition of the Rules (Yellow Cover) was launched earlier this year.
They will run in parallel with the Second Edition (Grey Cover) throughout the year 2000 but as from January 1st 2001 only the Third Edition will apply therefore it is essential that you get a copy (available from the ECSSA office @ £55 including Postage or directly from the ETCI).
It is not intended to highlight each of the alterations, except that we mention the relevant Section/Page of some changes for your convenience. However Section 701 - BATHROOMS - contains the major and very significant changes so we hereby elaborate a little.

BATHROOMS & ENSUITES IN DOMESTIC PREMISES

If the main plumbing installation is done in Plastic Piping then you do NOT introduce an Earth into the Bathroom/Ensuite and on completion of the job, Insulation Resistance should be carried out to ensure that an Earth had not been brought in by another source e.g. Foil backed Slabs, Steel Studding etc.

Even if a metal bath exists it should not be earthed (See 701,544.05 Page 154)
Similarly for Metal Radiators (See 701,544.06 Page 154)
However if a Class 1 appliance e.g. Electric Towel Rail, a small Storage Heater, or Infra Red Heater is installed naturally it must be earthed then the steel bath or radiator or any other extraneous conductive items must also be earthed - e.g. Cross Bonded.

COPPER CYLINDER IN HOTPRESS
Again in all plastic plumbing installation the 10sq mm Earth is no longer required.
Note Short pieces of Copper in Hotpress or Bathroom/Ensuites can be ignored for bonding purposes.


ECSSA NEWSLETTER


ZONES IN BATHROOMS
Significant changes here - see pages 158 - 159
Note: No light fixture is allowable in any Zone of Bathroom unless a cover must be removed to gain access to bulb - see page 155

FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO STORED MATERIALS
See section 482 Pages 74 & 75 and note in particular the requirement of 300MA RCD.
Note: This could apply in dust situations such as agriculture, woodworking, foodprocessing, textiles etc. (See 482.1.1)

WIRING SYSTEMS
1. All wiring must be kept clear of all polluting substances - See page 87 and note in particular polystyrene - e.g. aeroboard
2. Wiring in attic spaces cannot be laid on Top of Joists - either drill joists or run wiring around outer edge of attic space and return between joists to required power points. See 8.1.6 Pg 89
3. Wiring system concealed in walls shall be run horizontally or vertically or parallel to room edges. See 8.1.7 Pg 89

FINAL CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
Annex 43A Pages 183 - 186. These four pages contain an amazing amount of information that you should be familiar with and answers many of the queries we are asked about regularly
Note A Twin Socket counts as one point (Page 185) despite what you might read elsewhere

DISTRIBUTION BOARDS
Location / Fire / Connections - See Page 109

EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING
See Section 544 Pages 120, 121

SOCKET OUTLETS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT.) SITUATIONS
These need not be controlled by an R.C.D. provided effective measures are taken to prevent their use for general purposes. See 544.4 Page 131

BATHROOM FANS ISOLATION - APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL RULES
In response to a number of queries concerning isolation of electric fans in bathrooms, the following ruling has been made by Technical Committee No. 2.

1. The second and third editions of the National Rules require an isolating switch for all fixed/permanently wired appliances (sub-clause 555.1.2 of both editions)
2. In the case of a bathroom fan that is controlled from the bathroom lighting circuit the isolating switch must be put downstream of the light switch. (Clause 701.55.08 of the Third Edition)
3. The switch may be located outside the bathroom or inside the bathroom in Zone 3 at a height not less than 2.25m in accordance with the Rules. (Clause 701.55.08 of the Third Edition)
4. The switch should have "on" and "off" indication.
5. Where the fan has an automatic timer, all live conductors must be disconnected.

(B) COMPLETION CERTS
Despite our previous reference (Newsletter September 1999) about the standard of completion on the copies of certs returned to us by ESB we are still very unhappy. It is clear that in may cases that measurements shown for Insulation Resistance and Resistance of Protective Conductor were in fact never measured. This is totally unacceptable. To rectify this situation we may be forced to request members to repeat the tests in the presence of our Inspector on their routine visits.

The new type cert has been in use for some months now but one particular box is causing confusion:


RATING & TYPE OF ASSOCIATED PROTECTIVE DEVISE


These readings are directly related. What is required is the Type & Rating of the M.C.B on the circuit that gave the Max Fault Loop Impedance. The Type is shown by a Letter B or C or D, in front of the Current Rating on front of the actual M.C.B.

WARNING The foregoing highlighting of certain regulations is not intended or should be seen as highlighting the more important regulations. Every regulation is important to the location it is applied to and members are consequently expected to be familiar with all regulations.

(C) Letters from the Electricity Supply Board
From time to time we get complaints of unacceptable delays in getting ESB connection after a Certificate has been delivered to local office. A proposal from ESB of a JOB reference.
Number on all certs should reduce the problem substantially. See following letter from ESB.

Occasionally problems occur in the application process for new electricity supplies. In the majority of cases it is found that either the names or addresses used on the application forms don't match the name or maybe the address used on the completion certificate.

One example of how this might happen is where the application for supply is made using one partners name, and the completion certificate records the other partners as the customer. Another example can occur in rural areas when the cert may have a different townland recorded as the address for supply on the initial application form.

This results in ESB having two records for the same electricity application! One 'record' shows that we have an application form and are awaiting the completion certificate. Whilst the other 'record' shows we have the certificate and are awaiting the application form. As you can imagine this situation leads to confusion and neither 'application' progresses further and remains hidden in the system because each appears to be missing a vital link.

In order to avoid this situation ESB will require that Electrical contractors quote the Customer Reference Number known as the Job Reference number on every electrical completion certificate that is submitted for a new supply.

This number is readily available as a reference number on all correspondence the customer receives from ESB regarding their application for electricity.

In the case of Housing Developments the Building Contractor will have a Job Reference for the particular stage that requires supply. The ESB will be advising customers and building contrators (where applicable) of the need to supply the electrical contractor with this number.

In the near future ETCI will provide an entry on the Completion Certificate for the Job Reference. Until then, this number may be quoted next to the name, or in the comment box provided on each certificate.

By using this number you will be ensuring that the correct customer record is either updated or tracked as the case requires and avoid unnecessary delays caused by duplicate records.

Thank you for your co-operation.
Jim Keogh ESB


Interim Completion Certificates
In major installations where the contractor requires supply to the main switchboard, on receipt of an interim completion certificate, ESB will make supply available. This will apply to situations where the contractor wants to test or commission a part or section of the installation.

The certificate should be marked 'Interim' and should state in the remarks column that:- supply is required to the main switchboard and all unfinished sections are isolated and safe.

ESB will connect supply and have no further involvement.

The contractor accepts responsibility for completion of the rest of the installation and will issue a final certificate to the customer. In major installations which later have separate lettings, a completion certificate will be submitted to ESB for separate meterings. (one cert per letting)

The use of certificates marked 'interim' indicates that parts or sections of the installations have yet to be completed and tested. The onus rests with the contractor to fulfil his responsibilities to the customer in relation to the final completion certificate.

ESB consider it prudent for the regulatory body, who first issued the cert, to operate a procedure to ensure the contractor issues a final completion certificate to the customer.
All certificates marked 'Interim' will highlight where this procedure should apply.

Whereas the use of these certificates are limited to particular situations in major installations, it is important, in the interest of safety that the above procedure is adhered to by all concerned.

(D) Your Duty as a member of ECSSA
As a member of ECSSA you have been given the facility to self certify electrical installations constructed by you. This in turn puts on to you the responsibility to ensure that the rules of ECSSA are strictly adhered to.

You must ensure that your electrical installations:
- Are constructed in accordance with ETCI Rules
- Are verified and tested in accordance with ETCI Rules
- That you complete and retain a Test Record Sheet for each installation
- That you fully complete a Completion Certificate (following pre-connection and post connection tests)
- That you give your customer a completion certificate for every installation carried out by you
- That you have your test record sheets and copies of completed certificates ready for inspection when your inspector makes his visit to you.
- That you facilitate your inspector by arranging his site visit when requested.

Your inspector is available to discuss, help and assist you with any of the above points. Do not hesitate to contact him if you need clarification or are unsure of anything related to your responsibilities. Please bring your certificates and test records to each inspection.

Note: ESB continues to support ECSSA by vetting completion certificates for validity. Reports on INVALID certificates are investigated fully by ECSSA.