Additional consumer unit

[jeffjohn]

Hi guys, I am a qualified PV installer and registered with NAPIT as defined scope so am able to connect pv into cu and do all relevant tests.But I have a job coming up with no spare way in the cu so I have to fit an additional cu (probably 2-way rcd protected).Am I right in saying that I have to fit a henlly block between the meter and existing cu then run seperate tails to the existing and new cu's (in parallel).

1)Should the tails be 25mm or 16mm?

2)Do I take the earth for the new cu from the main earth terminal (not the existing cu)and does it have to be 16mm or 10mm?

3)I assume I only do all the relevent tests on the new circuit and supply Ze.

4)Finally, I have been told that the DNO may charge upto

 

[m4tty]

The henly block is the normal way of splitting the tails mate.

Tails need to be rated for the mainfuse so if its a 60A you could use 16mm but if its an 80/100A id use 25mm.

Personally id use a 16mm earth for the price difference for a metre or so.

Full testing and Cert to be issued.

Noone on here will advocate breaking a seal but id just get on with it mate and reseal afterwards.

Wait to see what the more knowlegable think as im quite new myself, but ive tried to help but stand to be corrected

Cheers

 

[ProDave]

Yes as above. The seal fairy will have been before you, so pull the unsealed fuse, fit the henley blocks and do the job, then phone the DNO to report that while doing some work you found an un sealed fuse. Never had any problems with that.

Of course you might be lucky and find it has one of those nice Siemens meters with a built in isolator on the output terminals. Even better.

I would fit tails same as existing, i.e if existing tails are 16mm I would make your new tails the same, likewise if existing tails are 25mm.

 

[ianmacd]

If you are limited scope, are you covered for this?

 

[Cirrus]

As above ^^^

 

[S60TEM]

with regards to the earth and tails size, if your going to use 25mm tails, you'll need to use 16mm earth as it has to be equal to or greater than half the size of the tails which would be 12.5mm but you can't get 12.5! 10mm would be too small. As your only defined scope, how will you certify and notify the job? Does defined scope for you PV allow you to do this type of job?

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 17:35 ---------- Previous post was made at 17:34 ----------

too slow at typing....doh.

 

[Andy™]

If you are limited scope, are you covered for this?

i think he is, but only if its required in order to complete the 'limited scope' job that he is doing

 

[gordy71]

Yes,On the the limited scope membership cert, it states the type of work covered plus any 'associated ' work.

 

[PC Electrics]

If you get jobs like this where the 'scope' is perhaps a little bit too far out of your comfort zone, why don't you enlist the help of a local full scope spark, perhaps someone in the same provider as yourself? Put the extra cost on the invoice - after all if the job is more complex it's gonna cost more.

 

[tom1]

i have been on a few pv jobs, with a company when they add a cu they use 16mm tails, 2 way cu 16 amp breaker for the pv.

i would have thought 16mm would be ok as it cant be overloaded,

 

[jeffjohn]

Cheers guys, on the question 'am I qualified to do this', I'm part p ,17th ed. and have to do my 2391/2 within 12 months from signing up.I did an apprenticeship many years ago but went into factory maintenance and so didn't keep up with my qualifications.When i did my napit assessment it included full test of circuits and completion of full cert. I was told I'm covered for everything associated with the installation of full pv system and associated circuits, but only what I've installed (for testing).

Jeff

By the way, this is a great forum site, v. friendly and helpfull.:worship

 

[ianmacd]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Andy™]

I thought that had been tried before when kitchen fitters with limited scope were fitting new CU's and claiming they were covered? Does that sound familiar to anyone (I could have dreamed it though).

i guess it would be upto the scam providers to provide a list of what would be covered and what isnt?

 

[professional]

Defined scope does not include the installation of consumer units.

If you are a spark then why did you not register as full scope?

 

[steptoe]

for PV you have to be part P full, whatever that means,

and, in all honesty, I would think even defined would cover the fitting of a 1 way CU for the PV install,

I even find that scary,

its a ****ing joke getting.!

 

[Manator]

Part P is a relatively easy assessment, which given your training should be no problem to pass. So I would advise going for full Part P, this will allow you to install everything you need without the requirement to call in any other Part P registered electrician to install a new CU. The registration if you are not a fully trained electrician, should only be seen as like passing the driving test, it allows you to drive, but you are not ready for a formula 1 race meeting.

 

[ianmacd]

...like passing the driving test, it allows you to drive, but you are not ready for a formula 1 race meeting.

You may not be......

 

[WarrenG]

Defined scope does not include the installation of consumer units. If you are a spark then why did you not register as full scope?

Edited:

Defined scope will cover you to install a new circuit into a new CU in connection with this work. But It does not cover you for a CU change over.

 

[jeffjohn]

Yes you are right, I am covered to fit a new cu to feed the pv install and sign the work off, but will have to get dno to pull fuse and fit double pole isolator. Steptoe, I dont uderstand why you find it 'scary' for me to do that, as I stated earlier, I did do an apprenticeship many years ago but didn't keep up with my qualifications as I didn't need to for the type of electrical work I was doing (non domestic). Also for my napit assessment I had to do the full electrical test procedure on a domestic cu (only on my installed circuit obviously) including rcd tests and Ze which all have to be done live.

 

[kme]

OMG!!!

OK - lets start at the beginning.......

1. You`ve got your MCS accredition, I assume; or the company you`re with has?

2. Steptoe probably finds it scary that it is possible to get the "scope" of part pee, and the quals you have / are intending to get; yet not be aware of certain basic bits of info.

Napit have had you test "a circuit", including EFLI and trip times; therefore you can fit a seperate consumer unit?

Must admit mate, from what I`ve read in this thread, it scares me, too. No offence intended.

KME