Upgrading metal encased CCU

[alchemist]

Upgrading this CCU tomorrow. I've not seen it in person, the customer sent me the picture. I don't think a decent size CCU will fit in the cupboard so it might end up going on the wall above it.

Have any of you seen this sort of setup before, apparently the old CCU is enclosed in metal -is it a pain to dismantle?

Picture...

 

[muffin]

been a few years since i did one but yes did quiet a few on a council estate.

the metal will beat off its spot welded, use a bolster or small chisel right next to the spot weld. bending it will also snap it off.

if you look in the right hand corner there is a small boxing going up this normaly has tails inside it.

got to admit when i was doing them it would not have been with the main sw and 2 main rcds. but i guess a small board with all rcbos would be the way to go.

hope that helps

andy

 

[PC Electrics]

If you're going to dismantle a spot welded assembly, surely it would be much more professional to drill out the welds. And give a much better finish.

Use a centre punch and a 6 or 7mm drill. You only need to drill through the top sheet.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Thats a Mantel unit fitted to most council properties. New gear trays are still availible. This link http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WYFALNHISS5506.html shows one, but not sure if its the correct one.

Edit, try here http://www.fastlec.co.uk/sentry-consumer-units-skeleton-mantel-units-c-89_115_150.html

Found these instructions for MK http://www.mkelectric.com/Documents/English/EN%20MK%20Installation%20Manuals/Circuit%20Protection/50054123-001%20%E2%80%A6ev%20A_Skeleton_Art.pdf But i have only ever retro fitted Wylex before

---------- AUTO MERGE Post added at 15:22 ---------- Previous post was at 15:19 ----------

Upgrading this CCU tomorrow.

Tommorow :O:O I will be in bed with a hangover:z

 

[Larnacaman]

Crabtree also do a split RCD skeleton job to fit directly into that space. Used one on my parents house..... As i remember, it was a tight fit, so give yourself a little extra time....

 

[muffin]

the spot welds were far from good and did not need much to remove them, drilling them is not needed

 

[alchemist]

Thanks for all the replies. It's a shame it's new years day tomorrow and I won't be able to get the skeleton kits shown.

I think i'll measure up the space and if it will accommodate the new standard CCU I'll remove the old set-up completely. If not i'll let the customer know that I can come back another time with the skeleton kit. I'm reluctant to start routing cables to the wall at the front of the cupboard.

Where are the circuit cables likely to enter the old unit from, above and behind or along side the tails in the box on the right?

 

[muffin]

above via cavity drop so you may have some slack

 

[Manator]

Word of caution the last one I did, the cables where singles wired in metal conduit, I am not saying this is the case here but will add some dimention on the way you proceed.

 

[Larnacaman]

Thanks for all the replies. It's a shame it's new years day tomorrow and I won't be able to get the skeleton kits shown.I think i'll measure up the space and if it will accommodate the new standard CCU I'll remove the old set-up completely. If not i'll let the customer know that I can come back another time with the skeleton kit. I'm reluctant to start routing cables to the wall at the front of the cupboard.

Where are the circuit cables likely to enter the old unit from, above and behind or along side the tails in the box on the right?

Nope, ...the cabinet is no-where near deep enough to accommodate a standard CU. I have seen surface CUs mounted directly above these cabinets, but they don't look right. There isn't any problem fitting the dedicated skeleton units to these cabinet installations, they shouldn't cause a trained electrician any problems....

The cables enter these panels from the top, through grommeted knockouts.

I've personally only seen fully conduited systems in council flat blocks where there are no wooden floors or plasterboard ceilings present, or those old disastrous council built prefabricated concrete houses

 

[alchemist]

The wylex skeleton posted above looks spot on, exactly the right width and depth so i'm going to get that if the customer wants to proceed. I had other work to do for them yesterday so the journey wasn't wasted.