Changing garage consumer unit

[Rob.S]

I have been quoted a days labour for the above job. There is nothing complicated involved other than change over the existing 25 year old Wylex unit for something with an RCD.

Does this sound right including testing an notification?

 

[sparkyspike]

Changing the CU is easy enough. The circuits downstream of the new CU need to be tested (RCD, insulation, impedance etc) which involves removing sockets, light fittings etc. Plus the upstream circuit in the main CU in the house needs to be tested and an installation certificate filled in. Then the electrician has to fill in an online form when he gets home as well as print out your certificate. Plus there is the contingency factor. If a circuit fails a test it has to be investigated. Minor improvements may have to be made. These sort of jobs may be done fairly quickly, but it will certainly take up a good portion of the day. So there is probably no room left in the day for another job elsewhere. So what you need to do is ask yourself whether the price is right for you.

 

[Rob.S]

I was perhaps naively thinking it would take a couple of hours as there are only couple of sockets and light fittings are easily accessible (not that I know anything about what the test involve!). House CU was changed about 18 months ago so in good order.

Seems that because the current unit works fine I will probably just stick with it for now as parting with that much money doesn't give me much return.

 

[Click-Sure]

Try another electrician, I tentatively say without having seen your garage, and the state of the installation therein that a days labour is a bit OTT.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Click-Sure]

RCBO even...

 

[kevindgas]

If all your looking for is rcd protection for the garage, just change the mcb that feeds the garage for a 30ma rccb.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Click-Sure]

Drinking at lunchtime still the 'in' thing with the Congolese then holms?

OP: Assuming you have a split load consumer unit in your house, which side is the breaker feeding the garage fed from? The same as the lighting or the same as your downstairs sockets, if its the same as the sockets then you don't really need to do anything, as long as the garage has been wired correctly and the fuse wire in the carriers in the fuseboard are correct.

 

[Rob.S]

OP: Assuming you have a split load consumer unit in your house, which side is the breaker feeding the garage fed from? The same as the lighting or the same as your downstairs sockets, if its the same as the sockets then you don't really need to do anything, as long as the garage has been wired correctly and the fuse wire in the carriers in the fuseboard are correct.

I don't have a split load consumer unit. I'm guessing if I did then an RCD would cover the garage but it doesn't unfortunately. RCBO could be a quick solution but really I was thinking a modern CU would look nicer and probably be safer as I am converting the garage into a room.

The guy who quoted came out to have a look and do some tests and said everything looked fine. The wiring is very simple and in good order which is why I questioned the days labour.

 

[Rob.S]

Had a bit more of a look at this today and it seems very straight forward to go and buy one myself.

Only question is the earth from the armored cable is the sheath and currently terminates on the case of the metal wylex unit. Would I need a special adapter or something to connect this to a modern CU?

 

[RF Lighting]

A new metal clad consumer unit

Oh and if you want to DIY, this work is notifiable to your LABC before you start.

 

[Rob.S]

A new metal clad consumer unit

I'm looking for a plastic, perhaps flush fit so it looks nicer in the converted room.

 

[RF Lighting]

Flush mount CUs have a steel back box

 

[jockspark]

rob,s may i ask what you do for a living