Consumer Unit Change

[Russ1109]

No I havn't done any testing to see if there is any N-E faults.I'm going to need to test beforehand just in case rather than fit the new unit and then have to find out which circuit(s)are tripping the RCD.

Kerching just given me something else to think about.Do I now go for say 8w unit with a mains switch and fit RCBO's to each circuit? A more exspensive option is it not?

 

[kerching]

No I havn't done any testing to see if there is any N-E faults.I'm going to need to test beforehand just in case rather than fit the new unit and then have to find out which circuit(s)are tripping the RCD.Kerching just given me something else to think about.Do I now go for say 8w unit with a mains switch and fit RCBO's to each circuit? A more exspensive option is it not?

Peace of mind does not come cheap... :coat

 

[unphased]

Russ, beware of the 2-way landing/hall lighting "trap" too. Chances are, the age of the installation, the two lighting circuits have a shared line or neutral and this won't allow the lighting circuits to be separated when RCDs are introduced. RCD will trip as soon as landing light is switched on.

 

[Russ1109]

Lighting is on a single circuit at the moment so it shouldn't matter so it? whether I put a split rcd board or go with a main switch and rcbo's

 

[steptoe]

is there 2 wires in the lighting MCB/fuse?

 

[Manator]

The problem arises when you have to split a single circuit into two, what I have done in the past when faced with this problem is find where the main feed to the upstairs lighting and socket circuits are and terminate them. Then run a new cable to the respective circuits. For the sockets its an easy enough job, but for the lighting this often requires the need to install a strapper for the landing lighting. If this is not done like other posters have said the problem of shared neutrals will trip any RCD.

 

[batty]

I would be pointing out to the customer that if they have a lamp blow they may be in total darkness.

 

[Russ1109]

There are 2 cables into the lighting fuse at the moment.Without doing any testing I'm persuming they've doubled up and put both up and down lights on the same fuse.Hopefully this being the case I can split the lights easy.

 

[steptoe]

chances are though that there will be a 'borrowed' neutral on the landing light, very common in older installations,

this will cause problems with RCDs/RCBOs , they will NOT hold in if you split the lighting circuits.

 

[Russ1109]

What so try split the lights to see if they trip or not then put them on one circuit??

 

[steptoe]

test for a borrowed neutral first.

 

[lineman]

Before quoting for a CU change, spending 15mins in front of the old one with an MFT and the power off will give you a very good idea what you are up against, therefore reflecting how much you are going to charge. You'd be mad not to to be honest.

 

[Doc Hudson]

It's a 4 way unit,Cooker,shower,sockets+lighting.

Russ, beware of the 2-way landing/hall lighting "trap" too. Chances are, the age of the installation, the two lighting circuits have a shared line or neutral and this won't allow the lighting circuits to be separated when RCDs are introduced. RCD will trip as soon as landing light is switched on.

Actually, as is common with age of the installation and the fact of a 4-way wired unit, there is only one lighting circuit. as the OP states, So some re-wiring will probably be needed if required to split onto two circuits.

Doc H.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 18:11 ---------- Previous post was made at 18:10 ----------

test for a borrowed neutral first.

Only lighting circuit the OP says. So I do hope it is a shared neutral and shared live for that matter!

Doc H.

 

[Ash]

 

[steptoe]

rough as F***,

Im sure that sticker is a bit P****D

 

[PC Electrics]

I like those Hager units too. Hardly use anything else now.

 

[Doc Hudson]

 

[wozz]

out of interest how much do you pay ash for the meter tail connector block thingy?

 

[Zeespark]

Its about

 

[lineman]

That board is energised! With the cover off!! Did you notify it ??? Using a bonding clamp as an earth warning label is rough! Just kidding mate. Nice cu change example.