Consumer unit breakers

[JohnW2]

So is there no way that the new board I have could have rcd put down at left so all circuits would be covered ? Could I not buy another rcd breaker to insert in the board I've been given ?

But then you'd have all the circuits on one RCD, which arguably does not comply with the Wiring Regulations.

He's talking about adding a second RCD to the board which already has one RCD, making two in total (with half the circuits on each RCD) - hence, in itself, not a problem regs-wise. However, I think we are all agreed that he should not be even thinking of doing any of this work.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The grey area is that if the new board is installed correctly and safely with current same size breakers how is anyone to know that it wasn't in that state when I bought house and still works correctly to the state that the new board was designed too

Because it's quite possible that the existing one isn't safe.

Remember you asked if it looked OK? Was "No" another one of the answers you didn't want?

What board would you recommend in this situation now

The one the electrician supplies.

What do I need to get Andy ?

Someone who knows what they are doing.

An electrician would be a good idea.

I agree entirely
Whatever route I go is my responsibility

And whatever happens to anybody else in a house with flaky electrics - is that also your responsibility?

All I want to know is the best setup for my needs which is why I'm asking advice of everyone

Dunno why, as you don't want to take the advice.

Replacing a CU is not just like replacing a plug but with more connections to make.

You cannot assume that everything about the existing one is OK, or that all of the existing wiring is OK, and that you can just swap the CU over and end up with an installation which complies with the wiring regulations, or even works or is safe, and yet you'll be taking responsibility for the working and the safety.

• For a circuit to supply a load (doesn't matter what), how would you go about deciding what cable and protective device to use? You must not assume you can just copy what's there.
  
  
• How do you calculate maximum demand and how can diversity be used?
  
  
• What are the 3 different types of domestic single-phase supplies provided in this country, how would you recognise them, and what differences do each make to the requirements for the rest of the installation, particularly any outdoor supplies?
  
  
• Can you correctly identify all components and connections of a circuit by method of testing or otherwise? In doing so can you identify or recognise anything wrong or dangerous with the circuit?
  
  
• Do you understand how the way in which cables are installed affects how much current they can carry?
  
  
• What are the rules concerning cables concealed in walls, partitions and under floors?
  
  
• What are the rules for cables run outdoors, buried in the ground or overhead?
  
  
• Can you identify extraneous conductive parts, and do you know the requirements for main and supplementary bonding of them?
  
  
• Which circuits should be RCD protected?
  
  
• What will your RCD/RCBO arrangements be with respect to 314.1?
  
  
• How do you propose to isolate your supply so that you can connect up your new CU?
  
  
• Do you know what tests you would carry out on the installation - what sequence you'd do them in and at what point you would energise the installation, and for each test do you know what is being measured, why it is important, how you would carry out the test, and with what equipment, and what sort of results you would expect to get if everything was OK?
  
  What testing will you carry out before you start the replacement?

The thing is, rewiring a house, even partially, installing new CUs, outside supplies, submains etc is not a trivial job, and I can assure you that it involves knowing far more than you think it does.

Asking questions here can be a useful part of a learning process, but they are not a substitute for proper structured studying. The key term there is "learning process" - you cannot learn all the things you need to know just by asking questions here. It isn't structured enough - it won't provide you with a way to progress where each step builds on what you learned before.

You can't carry out a job of this magnitude by asking whatever random questions happen to occur to you. You've already shown that you are lacking a lot of fundamental knowledge - what if you get something wrong because you have no idea your knowledge is wrong? What if you miss something because you simply have no idea it even exists, and just don't realise you don't know it?


Please get an electrician.

 

[davebullocklive]

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[flameport]

Simplified ie what consumer unit would pass regs ? Basically a dual rcd board?

Some people might think so.

Can my gift board be made into a dual rcd board and does it need another neutral gland?

It probably could, if you really wanted to buy the required parts and spend significant time reworking the insides to fit them in.
Hopefully that main switch is not one of the defective ones which were recalled 18 months ago.
You will also need a whole new set of labels, some additional internal wiring (which must be the correct type with crimped ends), probably a new busbar and various other parts. After all that, you will end up with a shabby looking second hand consumer unit which probably does not comply anyway. Assuming that the items in it still work and they are suitable for your particular installation, which they almost certainly are not.

The point is that if you want a new consumer unit, you go and buy one with the required arrangement of components inside. Not use some second hand piece of junk found in a skip.

The configuration of it depends entirely on the circuits which will be connected to it, the type of supply the property has and various other factors.

 

[JohnW2]

how would the neutrals work ? Would they interfere and what cable do you need to connect the new rcd ?

It's fairly straightforward, given that you already have a split-load board, and your electrician would know what needs to be done.

Kind Regards, John

 

[davebullocklive]

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[ban-all-sheds]

Simplified ie what consumer unit would pass regs ?

One supplied, installed and tested and certified by a competent electrician.

Can my gift board be made into a dual rcd board

Not by you.

and does it need another neutral gland?

Another one?

Does it have one now? Those CU's don't come with any, but I guess the previous owner could have fitted one.

But even if there is one, why would you need a second one? What cable would pass through it?

And why only a neutral? If you think you might need another gland for a neutral, why not another one for a live?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

He's talking about adding a second RCD to the board which already has one RCD,

Which is downstream of the incomer, via the busbar.

I read it as replacing the main switch with an RCD, not cutting the busbar, obtaining some more pieces of correctly terminated tri-rated cable, and recabling the internals.

However, I think we are all agreed that he should not be even thinking of doing any of this work.

He doesn't have a clue how to.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So im better off buying this

No - you'd be better off letting the electrican supply the CU - he'll get it at a better price than you can.

 

[davebullocklive]

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[ban-all-sheds]

Get an electrician.

 

[davebullocklive]

deleted

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Get an electrician.

 

[davebullocklive]

deleted

 

[JohnW2]

He's talking about adding a second RCD to the board which already has one RCD,

Which is downstream of the incomer, via the busbar. ... I read it as replacing the main switch with an RCD, not cutting the busbar, obtaining some more pieces of correctly terminated tri-rated cable, and recabling the internals.

Fair enough - we read/interpreted him differently. I thought he was talking about the latter (someone competent doing it properly).

However, I think we are all agreed that he should not be even thinking of doing any of this work.

He doesn't have a clue how to.

Quite so. Provided an OP is aware of what the law requires in terms of notification, unlike some people I don't regard it as any of my business as to whether or not they chose to comply with that law, and their choice about that does not influence my decision as to whether I consider it appropriate to try to assist them. However, I am concerned about whether or not it appears that someone is likely to be able to do work reasonably safely/competently - and the questions this OP is asking make it absolutely clear that he should not even be thinking of doing the work he is talking about.

Kind Regards, John