Should I replace this consumer unit?

[Cmcb]

Hello. Just after a bit of reassurance really.

We had an electrical inspection carried out on a rental property and the electrician says we need a new consumer unit as the current one is too old. He said cost would be between £500-£1000 and that it he would need to source a special unit as the flat has white meter heating.
Unit is probably about 35 years old so I suppose it is right enough that it needs to be replaced.???

Many thanks.

Craig

 

[ericmark]

That is not what we called a white meter, years ago when we had wheels in the meter we had two independent meters one for economy 7 the white meter, and a black meter for peak power, it seems you likely did have that, but now the two have been combined so although your consumer unit is split, there is not need for it to be split any more.

Merlin Gerin now called Schneider I think did make RCBO's but I am not sure if just needs new RCBO's or if need whole board, but an expensive make so likely cheaper to renew whole board.

What I would be thinking is if what he has said about the CU is wrong, is the EICR worth the paper it is written on?

 

[Murdochcat]

I’m surprised this installation got a satisfactory EICR last time

So yes I would recommend it be replaced

What other C2’s are on the EICR?

 

[Taylortwocities]

There is a cheap and dirty way to bring that up closer to compliance. But lets see what else has been raised from your oldish installation. As requested....

What other C2’s are on the EICR?

 

[flameport]

No RCDs, and depending on building height may need AFDDs as well.
Should have been replaced a couple of decades ago.

he would need to source a special unit as the flat has white meter heating.

If you are keeping that dual rate arrangement then a dual consumer unit would be required. Hardly a 'special' unit, they are readily available.

 

[opps]

.

 

[Cmcb]

Thanks. Haven't received the report yet. Will keep all posted.

 

[Murdochcat]

I’m surprised this installation got a satisfactory EICR last time

When was it last inspected ?

 

[skenk]

That is not what we called a white meter, years ago when we had wheels in the meter we had two independent meters one for economy 7 the white meter, and a black meter for peak power, it seems you likely did have that, but now the two have been combined so although your consumer unit is split, there is not need for it to be split any more.

I think it IS a dual rate meter, looks like 5 cables connected to it

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I think it IS a dual rate meter, looks like 5 cables connected to it

An electro-mechanical dual rate meter, will have two sets/two rows of digits, 5 wires.

 

[skenk]

Some meters you press a button and scroll through the readings. Zoom in, there's 5 tails (single core cables) into the meter, and 2 into the right side henley. It very much looks to be a dual rate meter, also called a white meter.

 

[Cmcb]

£960 +VAT to put right. Does that seam reasonable?

 

[Cmcb]

When was it last inspected ?

Possibly never.

 

[JohnW2]

An electro-mechanical dual rate meter, will have two sets/two rows of digits, 5 wires.

It will. However, there's surely nothing 'electro-mechanical' about that one, is there?

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

£960 +VAT to put right. Does that seam reasonable?

Basically just the absence of any RCD protection, then, the rest of the report being essentially 'clean'.

They are presumably quoting for replacement of the CU, and how reasonable the price is will depend upon what they are proposing to install. Have they given any details?

Kind Regards, John