My First Cu Installation - Newbie

[amateursparky]

Hi

Before people go all comando on me, it's my first cu and actually our electrician said it wasn't bad for a first attempt.

So give me a break!.

I had it inspected by our elctrician he said "your cables are all bunched up, it will cause heating effects". Even I know that can't be good for my cables.

Ok my problem is I was NEVER trained to do a proper cu on my 2330. The cu we did had a grand total of TWO circuits. YES TWO. No 25mm tails, 6mm, 16mm earth to deal with which

you would have to deal with in THE REAL WORLD. Not in a doll house!!

It wasn't even a proper cu.

Was just some open framed metal clad. Could someone refer me to a picture/ guide on how best to approache this dilema.

 

[NozSpark]

What's your dillema?

Is it the fact that the cables are bunched up and the associated heating effects?

If you could post a picture of the CU along with a circuit schedule it'd help us answer what I think is your question.

 

[Andy™]

pics would be useful

 

[Barx]

Can you show us a pic and/or give a little more info?

Personally I don't think this is a issue in standard domestic areas. I regularly have a single 50 x 50 trunking going to cu with all the circuits in. Never had an issue.

 

[NozSpark]

Can you show us a pic and/or give a little more info?

Personally I don't think this is a issue in standard domestic areas. I regularly have a single 50 x 50 trunking going to cu with all the circuits in. Never had an issue.

Same here, especially as the circuits only have sporadic loading.... Would be different if circuits are going full tilt 24/7

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hi

I had it inspected by our elctrician he said "your cables are all bunched up, it will cause heating effects". Even I know that can't be good for my cables.

 Could someone refer me to a picture/ guide on how best to approache this dilema.

"your cables are all bunched up, it will cause heating effects"

When you are thinking about comments like this, you need to consider not necessarily the physical layout of your CU & cables....

But the design and science calculations behind what the circuits are doing,

Which hopefully you did cover on your course?

as well as how you install your cables...

So start thinking along the lines of:-

1/ Make a note of all of your circuit cables..

2/ Think what sizes are these cable?..

3/ What is the maximum permissible current that the cables can carry?..

4/ What sizes of protective devices are these cables supplied by?..

5/ What is the estimated max load of each circuit?..

6/ How many of these circuits will be running simultaneously at or near there max loading for durations in excess of 1 or 2 hours every day?..

Then you can stop and think about the realistic issues of any grouping correction factors and whether they will really have any serious detrimental affects to the cables in NORMAL USE!?

Dependant upon the answers to your thoughts...

you may need to either..

i)  rearrange some of your cables..

or

ii) go tell this other electrician he is talking out of his rectum!!

opcorn    

 

[ProDave]

As others have said, please post a picture then we can hopefully give you some constructive criticism.

 

[revjames]

In most domestic CU installations the circuits will be bunched together in the final few metres on the way back to the CU. Usually the last 2 metres will be a single piece of trunking 50x25 or similar and all the cables will be crammed in together. Equally congested inside the CU can't really see how it could be avoided.

 

[binky]

In most domestic CU installations the circuits will be bunched together in the final few metres on the way back to the CU. Usually the last 2 metres will be a single piece of trunking 50x25 or similar and all the cables will be crammed in together. Equally congested inside the CU can't really see how it could be avoided.

precisely, think your electrician may be sulking and winding you up a bit. The mini CU you did at college is no different to standard house, just smaller. The principles are exactly the same. The picture below is farly typical (not one of mine, but one I'm working on tomorrow)

 

[Apache]

Hi

Before people go all comando on me,

I will remove my boxer-shorts just now........

 

[binky]

really don't want to know patch :slap

 

[Electroglow]

that CU is not level haha 

 

[binky]

squiffy picture

 

[ProDave]

squiffy picture

No, he means the built in bubble level shows it's not fixed to the wall level.

 

[Barx]

Like them things are ever right...

 

[amateursparky]

hi 

sorry about the delay been busy revising. I'm pleased to say I've passed my 17th edition. 

Constructive criticism only please! :Blushing  This has been tidied up now. It was a mess before with wires tangled into each other. btw the  picture is taken at an angle. The cu isn't installed at an angle!

 

[Apache]

Is there a MCB in the middle with no cable going to it?

 

[Badger]

Same here, especially as the circuits only have sporadic loading.... Would be different if circuits are going full tilt 24/7

like my cables feeding the christmas lights running a total of 2000 lights this year :slap :coat

 

[OnOff]

hi 

sorry about the delay been busy revising. I'm pleased to say I've passed my 17th edition. 

Constructive criticism only please! :Blushing  This has been tidied up now. It was a mess before with wires tangled into each other. btw the  picture is taken at an angle. The cu isn't installed at an angle!

Is the photo the "after" shot? If so then it looks like a pi$$ed spider, dying in ink! With practice you should be able to "respect" the natural lay of the cores so they don't get all kinked. I personally like the neat loops similar to post #9 above. 

 

[amateursparky]

Ok I have been told I could make the line conductors going to the breakers be a bit tider. I appreciate people on this forum are PROFESSIONALS but when you're a newbie on the block it's just a little hurtful for someone to say 

"looks like a pi$$ed spider, dying in ink!". Especially when you're trying so hard to learn the trade without a mentor which some younger trainees have. Just found a wee but unfair.