Two consumer units?

[mmcmahon]

I'm rewiring my flat and have so far completed the circuits for the kitchen. (ring main, cooker and immersion) I have bought a new consumer unit but haven't connected them yet.

I've also just switched to a new electricity supplier who are going to change my meter and also move it a few feet into a cupboard. When they do this can I have both my old and new consumer units operating together untill I gradually phase out the old one?

If I can, is it safe to add new circuits to the new unit? I take it there must be a live cable going into it if it is connected.

Thanks

 

[alexnic]

Your Electricity supplier when replacing and resiting your meter should fit a Douple Pole 100A switch and 'seal' the topside, but leave the bottom side accessible. This allows you (the consumer) the ability to isolate your Consumer unit to work on it safely.

The DP 100A switch has the connection capability to run 2-lots of mains cables so theoretically you could hook up both CU's but it is not the done thing. I imagine the Elect Supplier will only reconnect the existing one.

 

[mmcmahon]

Thanks, I've booked a week off work so I can get all the wiring done before the meters are changed.