Only power circuits were covered prior to 17th regs (came out 1990?? not sure when they started enforcing them), and there were exceptions for lighting circuits installed "the old fashioned way" (ie properly buried, sheathed and earthed).

 

Just noticed they are backing off of some of it as of last year as well; havent read up on the details yet.

 

So still plenty of houses out there without RCD covering lighting, as rewiring is not usually carried out until the wiring is deteriorating; last time I looked, they didnt even suggest having the wiring inspected if it was less than 25 years old.

 

We had a house rewired with RCDs in the early 80s, prior to that, only the electric shower was covered. I have been into any number of older houses that dont have a RCD, but have had a DIY electric shower installed.

Surely the answer to the question of if the neon is working (and similar with leads, especially fused ones) is to verify that the meter/neon works by checking while the circuit is still live, but safe, and then test again after the circuit is supposed to be off. That way, you've seen the meter change state, rather than assume the circuit is off but actually one of the leads is open circuit.

perhaps I should close this topic now as I already mentioned I bought a Philex one from Screwfix over a year ago.

Also work supplied me with one of these

Thanks to all who offered advice.

 

I'm off to lick some PP3's now and see if the Volts or the Amps kill me first.

I've got a neon test driver already BTW

Incorrect Ian. Was part of the 16th edition.

17th edition came into force in 2008.

17th edition covers alterations or changes to circuits which requires RCDs to be fitted if they weren't previously.

They're also tightening of wet/hazard areas - so in the case of showers, switches must be well away from wet zones.