Consumer Unit replacement

[user 27969]

So... had UKPN round and they've said:

My side is fused in one phase and earthed. I can get my CU replaced no problem, and spark can isolate it by pulling the fuse.

Because the other flats come out the side of the box.... they are not isolated. Adding an isolator would be a good idea (if the other flats wanted to change meter / cu at any point).  He said it would depend on the sparky as to whether they would touch it or not (adding an isolator to a live tail). Because it came out the side, you could ask UKPN to add the isolator. (if it comes out the top then it's not their job - if it comes out the side it 'might' be their job)

Generally he said that the vir cables were undersized, not in terrible condition (as long as i don't 'mess about' with them), but should really be replaced with armoured cables (25mm tails -  tail size depends on fuse size you using) . He agreed that none of the other flats have adequate earth, as its only connected to my CU. (adding that they don't even recognise the type of clamping that mine has - with a preference to it being sweated onto the lead)

He said i can inform the other flats of the info i've gathered, and if they want to go ahead, its something we can organise together. He added that each energy supplier needs to be informed when re-attaching tails to the meter.... but some people just re-attach them as its too much hassle.

• adding an isolator to the live to the other flats
  
• running armoured cables through to the other flats (thicker)
  
• checking earth continuity (if any) to the other flats
  

Sorry for the 'brain dump' it's a good way of me remembering what i've been told.

Cheers Matt

 

[ProDave]

So the guy admits it's "not right" admit's it's the  DNO's cable, then suggests YOU orgainse a repair, and you orgainise an electrician willing to fit an isolator in a live cable, if you can find one.

Unbelievable. THEY should be doing all this.  If they remove the cover from that supply head, they will be able to disconnect that live cable to the other flats while they do that work. You will not (should not?) find an electirian that will start dsmantling the DNO's equipment.

I would be asking for his supervisor / complaints department.

 

[user 27969]

yeah, he admitted there was an issue with isolating the supply in regards to the other flats, and that i could ask DNO to add the isolator for them.  Ill Have to give them another call i guess.

in other news... i think ive found the earth to the conduit - at least the one going up. a bare rusted wire that looks 100 years old linked back to the earth.

 

[Rob_the_rich]

Does it go through the bottom "spur" and dive behind the back board? might be connected to other conduit back there.

 

[user 27969]

no i think it's just this one to the pipe going upstairs, and one to my CU,

cant see anything to the pipe leading to the 2 flats next door.

 

[Rob_the_rich]

I still think it a dangerous installation with danger to life and property.

if there was an earth fault, or even a short circuit, within the conduit, the fact that it is unfused would mean the cables would melt and catch fire.

Fitting an isolator would not prevent this from happening. Any movement of the cables makes it more likely in fact.

UKPN should liaise with property, and meter owners, and replace the conduits, all at their expense in my opinion.

 

[user 27969]

to clarify...

the addition of the isolator was suggested in 'addition' -to replacing the cabling and conduit and earth- not as a 'fix all' solution.

That said... i take all your advice on board.

I think (from my limited understanding) the responsibility hinges on whether the feed comes out the top or the side of their supply unit. He started by saying it wasn't there responsibility, but then waivered when he noticed it all came out the side of the supply unit. 

its seems unclear to me as to whether the supply to the other flats is fused at all, at this point.

 

[user 27969]

can anyone recommend a good electrician in my area.... Walthamstow / London e17.

 

[Rob_the_rich]

@Blue Duck?

 

[user 27969]

upstairs flats board

 

[Murdoch]

At least its a metal CU!

 

[user 27969]

yeah, harder to melt i guess.

and the piddly little wire clamped to the pipe must be the only earthing... which as demo'd is not in great condition downstairs.

 

[user 27969]

would this be a good contender for a replacement CU?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-sentry-16-module-10-way-metal-split-load-consumer-unit/9648g

 

[Blue Duck]

@Blue Duck?

@Rob_the_rich :C

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I am not that far, based in Enfield.  Has no one noticed the tails to your flat are in different holes  in the consumer unit/fusebox? (although recent posts here say it doesn't matter) The other flats are fed in a MICC cable. Looks like a 3 core with 2 lives & a shared neutral.

I can say with a 99.9 % certainty the DNO will not be interested in the 'sub mains' leaving the main fuse. They adopt it  but dont install nor maintain it. I personally have never seen the tail connected straight into the head, any chance of a pic where the red cable enters the fuses ( without pulling the cables around too much)

These days the DNO's will not connect a service to a head in another property ( such as the head under the stairs in a ground floor flat conversion, to feed 2 or 3 flats upstairs), I think its been bodged in after maybe a fuse blew and they could not gain entry to repair it.

Edit, I may be wrong  about the Micc, but other comments stand

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

From the look of the fuse holder in the other flat & the Vir cable i would think when the supply was installed their may have been a light bulb in 4 or 5 rooms and a couple of 5a sockets, the supply and earth was good enough for that, move on 50+ years and look around at your electrics now

 

[user 27969]

this is where the red enters the fuse.... from the side. 

 

[Rob_the_rich]

@Rob_the_rich :C

Thought you were east London?

Post 23 shows the feed to upstairs has a bend and is rusty, so not micc.

Hope the neutral isn't fused upstairs as well.

 

[user 27969]

e17... walthamstow

 

[apprentice87]

The unfused feed to the henly is lunacy..... I would be getting the DNO straight round...

john..