Lighting Question

[Power Ball]

Going to look at a job tomorow, this guy phoned and asked me to give him a price to change a 8 way rewired cu to a new 17th cu in a two bed terraced house. He then said he thinks it only has one lighting circut to upstairs and down ?? should these not be split to comply with 17th edditon or leave as is on the one mcb.

Thanks

Chas

 

[Apache]

It would be better to split it but how easy would it be? If you'd have to make a mess of their decoration then there's not much you can do.

By upgrading the CU you are making the installation safer than it was.

Deke will come along and say "get on with it"!

Suppose you could price for swap CU and quote for splitting light circuit separately? My only thought would be of you insist it's done and quote with that work included your price may be more than the other guy and you loose the work?

 

[Adrian]

there is no requirement to wire 2 light circuits

it would be nice

some people wire 1 circuit for upstairs sockets and one for down.but I wire 1 front and 1 back. or house on 1, kitchen on another.

 

[Power Ball]

Thanks guys, you have just confirmed what I Thought he will not go for a split/rewire and as you say it is going to be safer with the new cu and I can always put lighting and sockets on seperate RCD's and if the lights go off he can always turn on a table lamp.

Thanks

Chas

 

[a1spark]

Chas....If it was the client who first mentioned it then simply give him an additional quote when you see the job.

..As for the board change, [do a P.I.R first] make a note in the comments on existing installation box on the EIC, if you feel it is necessary to highlight the situation.

 

[Andy™]

there is nothing to say how you should split circuits. its down to the designer. in a new house, its very unlikely to have 1 light circuit, but just because its only got 1 doesnt mean its dangerous. if your changing the DB, you are improving things. but you should consider a C6 for lighting if Zs permits

 

[batty]

For eight circuits I would use Rcbo's at least that way if they have a fault it will only be one circuit and hopefully not lighting.

Batty

 

[a1]

Why a C6 Andy? (Sorry for being blonde) Why not a a B6?

I do agree with the PIR first, as A1 says - and so many of you on here do.

I agree with Batty, RCBOs all the way. Wouldn't it be nice to do all those all the way on any CU?

 

[Andy™]

Why a C6 Andy? (Sorry for being blonde) Why not a a B6?I do agree with the PIR first, as A1 says - and so many of you on here do.

I agree with Batty, RCBOs all the way. Wouldn't it be nice to do all those all the way on any CU?

a C6 has a high inrush current... and 99% of the time will withstand a lamp blowing without tripping. unlike a B6, which trips. Its bad design if you use a B6 without reason - you know its going to trip when a lamp blows, so why use it

 

[Couleddie]

I've never come across a CU with a C6 for lighting. Good advice there, Andy. Fed up of the circuit tripping every time a bulb goes. Will bear this in mind whenever I change my CU sometime in the future.

 

[a1]

a C6 has a high inrush current... and 99% of the time will withstand a lamp blowing without tripping. unlike a B6, which trips. Its bad design if you use a B6 without reason - you know its going to trip when a lamp blows, so why use it

I know about the inrush etc. But good point. Do you fit type Cs on all of your installs Andy? Or are you just recommending it on this one?

 

[jl-heating]

great tip ..... box of c6 ordered lol..

we are like sheep . are we not

 

[Power Ball]

there is nothing to say how you should split circuits. its down to the designer. in a new house, its very unlikely to have 1 light circuit, but just because its only got 1 doesnt mean its dangerous. if your changing the DB, you are improving things. but you should consider a C6 for lighting if Zs permits

Nice one Andy I knew I could count on you guys to come up with some good answers and tips.

Thanks to all

Chas

 

[Andy™]

I know about the inrush etc. But good point. Do you fit type Cs on all of your installs Andy? Or are you just recommending it on this one?

i usually fit C6 as standard unless wiring is really old and Zs is high (or a dont have them with me). looks odd in the board, since its a 10KA from a TPN board. but still fits.

 

[Blue Fox]

Double check it is definatly on one circuit. The reason I say this is in my own house it only had one fuse for lighting, but had 2 cables going into it, one for upstairs and one for downstairs so easily split up.

 

[Andy™]

Double check it is definatly on one circuit. The reason I say this is in my own house it only had one fuse for lighting, but had 2 cables going into it, one for upstairs and one for downstairs so easily split up.

but be aware of borrowed neutrals

 

[a1spark]

Double check it is definatly on one circuit. The reason I say this is in my own house it only had one fuse for lighting, but had 2 cables going into it, one for upstairs and one for downstairs so easily split up.

Agree with the above, but a note of caution....beware of the dreaded borrowed neutral situation on the landing light....plays havoc for the unwary when using dual rcd boards. :_| .:_|.....another reason for P.I.R. before board change !

 

[a1spark]

but be aware of borrowed neutrals

Sorry for that Andy ..you made the point whilst I was posting.Blushing!

 

[jl-heating]

the rcd`s will soon find a borrowed neutral if u split the lighting .(or generally does)

 

[Andy™]

Sorry for that Andy ..you made the point whilst I was posting.Blushing!

20 minutes to post?!