Consumer unit replacement

[gash2024]

Iam thinking of having an electric shower fitted but someone at work told me if i have the old sytle consumer unit i would have to have it replaced with a newer rcd style consumer unit becuase it has a separate switch for the shower, he had the same kind of work done about one year ago so i take it hes correct in what hes saying.
How much is it likely to add to the price of the job (midlands area)? i think a new unit is about £60 but is it a big job or not.
Thanks

 

[electronicsuk]

If there are no spare ways on your existing consumer unit and no RCD protection then there are a couple of ways forward. A complete new consumer unit is the most sensible option, as your existing one could be 20+ years old, but if the wiring attached to it is also old then it may not be possible to replace without a full or partial rewire.

For you, the cheapest option will be to fit a DP isolator straight after the meter, and split the tails to feed both your existing CU and a small shower supply CU with RCD.

No idea what it will cost you, there are too many variables to consider. Certainly many multiples of £60!

 

[ezekiel]

instead of splitting tails could yon not run from breaker to rcd enclosure?

 

[RF Lighting]

Probably not.

Wylex standard fuse boxes have a maximum rating of 30A per outgoing way, which is not big enough for the vast majority of modern electric showers.