Mattg4321

Yes it does and possibly the most expensive in the world when talking about industrial prices, which are what really matter most when it comes to the economy. https://www.ft.com/content/f3bcd4a4-0a5f-4fc1-ad8a-cf2530e6001a?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Those are the NICEIC guidelines. The actual regulations, which are the only thing that really matter, do not specify a distance. Ideally follow the guidelines, but if you don't quite meet those distances then no harm done imo.

As they are effectively portable appliances, then I can’t see how you can possibly be held liable for any injury that occurs due to equipment that you are not aware of and has been installed by the tenant. Same as with any faulty appliance owned by the tenant. You could insist they test all their appliances I suppose. The other risk would be a fire risk and what effect this would have on your buildings insurance - would they cover a fire caused by faulty balcony solar? The rules brought in a few years ago mandating electrical inspections have actually worked quite well and the average rental is probably in slightly better condition than the average owner occupied house these days - from an electrical point of view. The biggest risk other than pre existing electrical installation faults is probably the imbecile that installs it so it takes off and kills someone at the first sign of windy conditions or catches fire where they’ve shut the lead in the window/door etc. I’m sure we’ll also see people cutting the plugs off and badly reinstalling them and people plugging in multiple systems into the same circuit. On that last point, if you have say 3x (or more) 800w systems on a standard 20 amp radial circuit that might already be running at capacity as it’s feeding a tumble dryer and hot tub outside, then you’re moving into fire risk territory. You have a circuit that is designed for max 20 amps that could now be taking more like 30 amps.

You’re possibly correct with the second part of that. I wouldn’t be too worried at all if all else was correct other than having uni directional rather than a bi directional device fitted. RCD protection is sometimes “additional protection” and sometimes “fault protection”. Most usually in the case of fault protection in TT systems where they are often the only method of protection as fault currents are too low for fuses/MCB’s to operate in a line to earth fault scenario.

Usually they're really good, but I've only ever taken things back in person. Guessing they're isn't a store where you are! Are you due a trip to the mainland anytime soon and could take it back in person?

I think you can pop into a shop over there and buy antibiotics? It doesn’t mean you can everywhere. Likely yes. I know you’re also an experienced sparks, although I think retired (my old man also retired fairly recently and wouldn’t know what I was on about with this specific subject)? I’m not sure if that was a genuine question, but in case it was… As I understand it, most BS61009 devices are uni directional, unless marked otherwise. Check manufacturer’s specs. Most, if not all, BS61008 devices are bi directional, so perhaps you’re ok? BS60898 also bi directional. I agree that a lot of it is total BS. However, there’s going to more than just me that’s slightly peeved if I’m not allowed to fit solar PV (and customer get paid to export) unless I spend a small fortune each year and jump through numerous hoops to be ‘MCS registered’, yet old Joe Bloggs can nip to Wickes and he’s fine to plug it into a system that isn’t safe to start with and has now been made even worse by him pushing power through devices in the wrong direction. It’s a mess. A fudge is incoming though I fear. Be interesting to see what it is.

Anyone thinking this will happen in a few weeks appears likely to be disappointed. The latest NICEIC trade rag just came through and had this to say. It also doesn’t mention the problem of uni or bi directional switchgear. Anyone who has had an RCBO consumer unit fitted in the last decade is very very likely to have it full of uni directional devices. These are not permitted to be used where current potentially flows in both directions. Bi directional rcbos have only been readily available for a couple of years, if that. They are still not standard fit for most people. Usually only fitted to solar pv or EV charging. Europe has very different switchgear to us.

What's the point in continuing this discussion when you've got people looking at £5-10 BILLION and saying nah not worth it! Don't think there is much, so I'm out.

No longer within the energy strategy is another way of saying banned. It's banned in corporate speak. Why say one word when you can say 10. Here's an excerpt from Labour's 2024 manifesto "We will not issue new licences to explore new fields because they will not take a penny off bills, cannot make us energy secure, and will only accelerate the worsening climate crisis. In addition, we will not grant new coal licences and will ban fracking for good." It's banned. By the government who think they know best. Ideology before reality always. If you try to issue new licenses and nobody wants them, then fair enough. But banning is different.

There’s no benefit to the treasury then? And no potential to increase our energy security.

If the oil producers/exploration companies are not interested then fair enough. In that case though, why bother banning it

The graph is irrelevant. It’s not ours or the governments job to decide what is and isn’t viable. What little IS viable we should extract. It makes no sense not to. We all want energy independence, even if we can squeeze a few more barrels out of the North Sea, that will help a little way to that in the short and medium term.

It’s a reasonable argument to make, but as above it’s not the government’s decision as whether we can or can’t. There’s still oil there, we don’t know how much or little although we can have a pretty good guess. Let them try and extract it if they want. It’s greener than importing it from abroad. To ban any new issuing of licenses is woke BS!!! Makes no sense.

Woke is pretty much an evolution of the term 'political correctness' imo. It doesn't really mean what it meant 5 or 10 years ago imo. I think we all understand that. An example, a view that some people have is that we should completely stop using oil immediately. Mad if you ask me, but not 'woke'. Other people think we should carry on consuming oil, but we should not produce it in this country. This is PC/woke BS imo. Makes no sense whatsoever to anyone but the ideologically captured.

You won't find a regulation that says what appliance requires a dedicated circuit. There's only a recommendation in an Appendix of BS7671 that states appliances over 2kW to have their own dedicated circuits. I personally wouldn't usually fit a dedicated circuit for a microwave, but would for a combi oven microwave. Whether it's freestanding or fixed isn't really important. Fact is, a lot of the combi ones are 16A supply - no plug fitted and none of the standard microwave are - they come with a plug fitted and usually under 1kW. There's not really a right/wrong answer, but generally it's dedicated circuits for ovens/hobs/combi ovens and everything else on the ring/s. Don't bother with 4mm2 radials, you're limited more on cable lengths/insulation derating than you are with a 2.5mm2 ring.