Domestic Meter resite

Laurapora86 · May 11, 2015

Hi, as you chaps have been discussing mantel units I'm hoping you may be able to advise me....

I'm a new homeowner, ex-local authority flat. All my wiring is in surface mounted trucking and I have a skeleton board in a mantel unit unhelpfully placed in the spot I wish to move my bathroom. (I hear you all scoff loudly). Yes I'm aware it's ambitious but the move of said electricity meter/fuseboard/bathroom pathes the way for an open plan living space and subsequently a two bed to rent out rather than a one bed! I'm worried that the other flats in the block would have their rising cables running through the mantel? Is this always true of council blocks? Basically I want the whole place rewired so as to rid myself of unsightly cables and have the electricity meter either outside or in my kitchen with the fuse board. Any help/advice on this would be hugely apreciated.

Laura (ambitious d.i.yer)

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Chewbacca · May 11, 2015

Laura, please stop posting same question in multiple places

circuitandc · May 12, 2015

Hey all, I'd planned on posting a new thread but saw this and thought I'd jump on it as it's a similar question to my own...

I have a meter re-site also and have agreed with SP Networks to install the supply cable and their boys will complete the final connections. However no-one seems to be able to give me the cable specs so I can order the right gear... I was hoping someone here could help.

It;s a small commercial unit and only has 4 circuits. I found an EON guide that says it should be about 8kW.

The existing supply is 10mm fabric insulated ancient stuff and although ANYTHING would be better lol I need to know what to get so they don't knock it back when coming to connect.

Thanks.

SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH · May 12, 2015

More info needed. Is the whole kit, meter supply head , fuses and board all moving or are you leaving the lot there and only moving the meter. Unusual for you to supply & install the cable. You would normally only supply the containment ready for them, unless your unit is part of a larger building where your power comes from a distribution board (their property) in a common area.

Is the supply single or 3 phase. For single phase i would say a minimum of 16mm sq 3 core SWA but probably 25mm and you would have to provide a metal box to gland the cable into with possibly a 'Red-head' (company cut out) mounted above.

circuitandc · May 12, 2015

its a single phase system and IS part of a larger system. the main cable head is in the communal entrance of the flats next door. The current supply is 2 single cores in a metal conduit (the conduit providing the earth). I would expect that Networks would connect to the existing fuses? I doubt they intend to replace the cablehead. It's an old tenement building and the wiring is in poor condition like most of my area.

The client wants the meter and consumer unit moved from the middle of the shop to the back. I'm doing it simply because of the cost of SP doing it, and time constraints. I thought it would be easier and cheaper if they just come and do the final connections and seals.

I am happy to run a SWA as I have plenty of experience with them, it doesn't have to be aluminium cores? I read that somewhere.... Would a 100x100 steel trunking do for glanding?

Also do meters have to be mounted at a specific height from floor level?

Thanks again

SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH · May 12, 2015

You really really need a written spec from whoever is going to energise the cable as all regions differ. There are mounting heights which only from memory are 900 -1.4m and also a fall back space ( clearence in front) of 1m or so, thus means no equipment in a narrow passage.

I have fitted trunking, both plastic and metal with the SWA glanded in and a slots cut in the top for the head and meter plus outgoing tails or dist board. Usually it s 100x100 trunking as they still fit a secondary meter board and you need space for the tails etc. They also insist on a minimum space for metering including possible timeclock and fuse which could be 300x300 mm