wire from meter to consumer unit

hoojar · 29 Jun 2010

im moving my consumer unit, are there any regulations or safety reasons to stop me plastering the cable between the two into my wall where there will also be a ring main cable in the same chase?

someone (not a qualified electrician just a diy er) told me he thinks the cable is meant to be surface mounted and visable because its always live. is this correct?

ColJack · 29 Jun 2010

you cannot bury the cable in the wall because it's not armoured, will be less than 50mm from the surface and won't be RCD protected..

how far are you moving the CU?

hoojar · 29 Jun 2010

its about 8ft.

hoojar · 29 Jun 2010

Could I add an rcd and then have the cable run from that to the new consumer unit?

flameport · 29 Jun 2010

No. A single RCD covering the whole installation does not comply.

ColJack · 29 Jun 2010

really? what about TT installs then?

hoojar · 29 Jun 2010

Do you have any suggestions to how I can do this? I need to move the consumer unit 8 ft from the meter. It goes from under a kitchen bench to above a kitchen cupboard so it needs to be hidden. If I can't plaster it in could I box it in? Or is this the same problem?

Thanks.

LiamPope · 29 Jun 2010

ColJack said:
really? what about TT installs then?

Come on - you know what he means!

The sort of RCD required to protect the OP's buried tails, a 30ma, would (arguably) not be allowed to protect a whole installation. A TT install, on the other hand, would (normally) have a 100ma time delay RCD which is allowed to protect a whole installation with 30ma's downstream, but which isnt sufficient to protect the buried tails.

ColJack · 29 Jun 2010

ok, you're right and I was just being awkward.. I've had a few drinks for medicinal reasons ( can't spell purpouses properly. )

LiamPope · 30 Jun 2010

What have porpoises got to do with RCDs?

ColJack · 30 Jun 2010

like I said, can't spell purposes properly... ( is that better? )

LiamPope · 30 Jun 2010

Purposes is spelled just fine. It's porpoises you seem to be having trouble with.

Sorry - I'll get me coat. Think I need to go to bed myself...

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wire from meter to consumer unit

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