Adding another circuit to and old cu

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Lexicon

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I need another radial circuit adding to our cu board to supply a new shed / workshop. We had an an eicr done before moving into this house a year ago and the cu was deemed unsatisfactory because in does not comply with current standards, being installed in 1979. It does have rcd protection rated at 100ma.
Can a new circuit be connected under current legislation? or is a replacement CU mandatory?
 
Lexicon said:
We had an an eicr done before moving into this house a year ago and the cu was deemed unsatisfactory because in does not comply with current standards, being installed in 1979. It does have rcd protection rated at 100ma.
Click to expand...
So you spent many many £000's on buying a house including due dilligence and getting an eicr done, but have decided not so spend a few £00 getting the electrics upgraded, which you knew before you bought needed to be done?

Perhaps now is that time?
 
Lexicon said:
the cu was deemed unsatisfactory because in does not comply with current standards,
Click to expand...

I can't quite figure out from your post if remedial work has been carried out to make the installation satisfactory for continued use following the EICR? (if not, why not?)

If it is still not satisfactory then I would not recommend adding any new circuits or extending any existing circuits..

Always keep in mind that electricity is invisible, difficult to hear or smell but it can kill a healthy adult in less than a second..
and I believe it is still used in some parts of America to administer the death penalty!!

And..
Electrical alterations/additions are NOT about making something work.. (which is the typical DIY consideration)..

Professionally designed electrical alterations/additions are about ENSURING that in the event of a fault the source(s) of energy will be disconnected fast enough before any people, property or livestock could be put into any danger!!
 
Lexicon said:
I need another radial circuit adding to our cu board to supply a new shed / workshop. We had an an eicr done before moving into this house a year ago and the cu was deemed unsatisfactory because in does not comply with current standards, being installed in 1979.
Click to expand...

To be frank, if you've just bought a new house, spending around £1K is not even a drop in the ocean - so my advice to you IS upgrade the CU as any changes to the internal electrics of the house WILL require this.
 
It always surprise's me what value some people put on their own safety and that of others
 
people would rather spend money on something they can show off like a new kitchen or bathroom, rather than spend a few £ on something that could save their life / stop the house burning down. the old one works so it must be safe...
 
Lexicon said:
We had an an eicr done before moving into this house a year ago and the cu was deemed unsatisfactory because in does not comply with current standards,
Click to expand...

An EICR stating that an installation is unsatisfactory means there are one or more areas that are considered to be immediately or potentially dangerous..

None-compliance with current regulations does not automatically mean something is dangerous, it could just require improvement..

As has already been asked can you post a picture of the existing CU..

Also a copy of the observations and recommendations on the EICR, would help a lot with evaluating what your best options are?
 
Lexicon said:
I need another radial circuit adding to our cu board to supply a new shed / workshop. We had an an eicr done before moving into this house a year ago and the cu was deemed unsatisfactory because in does not comply with current standards, being installed in 1979. It does have rcd protection rated at 100ma.
Can a new circuit be connected under current legislation? or is a replacement CU mandatory?
Click to expand...
No qualified electrician will do any alterations on this CU till it is deemed satisfactory .
How are you leaving in such dangerous situation?
 
cu.png
"The electrical installation is approx 40 years old. Wiring is PVC twin and earthing installed to the regulations at the time. No 30ma RCD protection on circuits. recommend new consumer unit and earth bonding upgrade" Part 3 summary of condition of installation
 
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Looks like you have an old VOELD below the board, an early form of RCD that I doubt will still be working properly.

I would agree updating the board would be a good idea. You could add an RCD in a separate enclosure next to the board for the new circuit, but could really do with RCDs on all the socket circuits, and these days we RCD all circuits anyway. By the time you've done that, it's easier and neater to change the board itself. We also have no real way of testing the MCBs are still working correctly, and after 40 years, I doubt they are. So again changing the board is recommended. But if money is too tight, you can install a new circuit with an external RCD.

Earthing and bonding will almost certainly be undersized as well, again, another reason to recommend a board change and update.

Note is say recommend, it's not actually compulsory untill you install a new circuit, because anything new must comply with today's regs.
 
Fleeting said:
It is an earth leakage circuit breaker.
Click to expand...
Yep - millions of those still out there. Often work but 100mA sensitivity was never enough for proper protection - Yet most houses leaked 30 or 40 mA anyway so they got by 😂
Rated 80A so usually found on a 100A Suppliers fuse
 
"I would agree updating the board would be a good idea."
"Note is say recommend, it's not actually compulsory untill you install a new circuit, because anything new must comply with today's regs."
This is actually the reply to the question I was asking and nothing else - thanks binky
 

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