YesQedelec said:You should not attempt this unless you are 'competent'
That means conversant with the regs,
Yes - and the knowledge of how to use it, and what tests to do. If you change the CU you are taking responsibility for the integrity of the entire installation, so the entire installation needs to be properly tested. Some of the tests can be hazardous to you and others if you aren't careful. In my list of recommended reading ( //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=75416#75416 ) you should get at least the 2nd & 3rd and the regulations themselves, and GN3. I've not listed any inspection and testing books, but Brian Scaddan's one seems to be widely popular. You might be able to hire the test equipment you need - to buy new would cost between £500 and £1000 approx, but you can often pick up bargains on eBay.possess the necessary test equipment
Noand are registered with a recognised scheme
A great deal more.There is more to it than just swapping the board.
joe_mc_h said:I'm thinking of replacing my old fusebox for a nice trip switch comsumer unit. I've looked around and they are easy to buy and look simple enough to replace.
Does anyone have any tips or warnings before I commit to the job?
joe
unlike bodies houses don't tend to fail if without power for a while and don't generally suffer from anything comparable to organ rejection (aluminium cables excepted but they are rare here in the uk).baldelectrician said:When you change a consumer unit you are effectively doing a heart transplant of the electrical installation- doing it unskilled is like asking a butcher to do a quick operation on the wife !!! (not a good idea unless you want to bump her off )
I thought ban-all-sheds said:Or spend more time skinning up than you thought you needed to...
baldelectrician said:the last person at the job is responsible, therefore the person carrying out the work should test the job- testing is not just a good idea, it's essential.
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