Consumer Unit Relocation Project

[afswift]

Over the past few weeks ive been planning a consumer unit relocation (from behind a awkward placed cupboard to the porch) at home.

I am just completed my level 2 and all work will be part p complient, LABC have been informed and are coming out to inspect.

This week end i started with the first fix wiring, I have attached a few pictures and would welcome any comments (or criticism) about the work so far. I am hoping to get it inspected at this stage this week sometime, so dont want any nasty surprises if something is wrong.

The old setup, (we are on 3phases but only 1 phase will be used)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/Brockwell Electrics/HPIM0530.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/Brockwell Electrics/HPIM0555.jpg

This is the existing tails going into the external meter cupboard on the garage wall.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/Brockwell Electrics/HPIM0556.jpg

My new run, 25mm tails on the left, coax, phone and data in centre and circuit cables on the right.

The tails will be protected by a 80A fused isolator in the garage to protect the long run.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/Brockwell Electrics/HPIM0560.jpg

The void above the porch, with the cables dropping down the internal cavity into the new CU position.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/Brockwell Electrics/HPIM0565.jpg

Any comments would be appriciated.

 

[afswift]

I have made sure that all cables are 50mm from either the top or bottom of the joists.

 

[sparkydude]

Looks good, but i am afraid the holes through the joists are too close together i think they are meant to be a minmum of 2 inches apart, it looks like you have drilled them all in the centre, and very close together, possibly weakening the joist at that point.

Nick

 

[NotHimAgain]

You have bunch your cables together using ties - whilst this might look nice it does not help heat dissipation - particularly for cables at the centre of the bunch.

 

[afswift]

I have bunched the cables together to try keep them all within the centre 50mm of the 150mm joists.

The ties are not over tight though, do you think this is going to cause issues?

 

[NotHimAgain]

Only if any of the circuits operate at or near full load for a significant time period - personally I would cut the ties - but I doubt if your house would burn down if you don't

 

[afswift]

Building control are coming to inspect first fix tonight. What will they be looking for?

Do you think the grouping of the cables will cause it to fail the inspection?

 

[NotHimAgain]

You really don't want to get into cable grouping - trust me you don't .

I don't know which edition of the Wiring Regulations you are using - the 17th has more to say about grouping than the 16th (section 523). It really comes down to - do the cables get anywhere near their maximum operating temperature under any normal loading conditions. This is 70 degrees C for PVC so pretty hot.

I have never (and I have seen plenty) come across a domestic installation that has problems caused by cable grouping. The circuit loadings are generally not high enough for long enough to cause an issue.

 

[afswift]

Inspector was more than happy with the first fix work.

Loosened off the ties a bit, to give the cables a little more room.

 

[afswift]

More progress...

The fused isolator in the garage to provide protection for the tails,

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/HPIM0571.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/HPIM0572.jpg

The new mk board in the new position.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/HPIM0568.jpg

The test results so far (my first time at full testing, please feel free to make any comments)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/2004F2Standard-incF3F4_Page_4.jpg

 

[afswift]

Where the old cu used to be.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg273/afswift/DSCF0044.jpg

 

[RF Lighting]

Looks Good

What did you use to joint the cables in the gewiss box?

 

[FingRinal]

Looks Good

I spotted two defects within 2 seconds.

 

[RF Lighting]

Well why not for once in your life, actually help a poster, and tell him where you think he has made an error instead of playing your one-up-man-ship game?

 

[FingRinal]

Well why not for once in your life, actually help a poster, and tell him where you think he has made an error?

Now I'm not been funny here but I thought I'd give you a chance. Have a good look. It's only minor. But it would be enough to fail one of the CG2391 boards.

But, with the image res....I might be wrong