Too many circuits?

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Rewiring a 4 bed house and would like to know whether i am on the right track or if i have an unnecessary amount of circuits

Ring Main upstairs (32a)
Ring main downstairs (32a)
Lighting circuit upstairs (6a)
Lighting circuit downstairs (6a)
Kitchen ring (32a)
Cooker (40a)
Boiler (16a)
Doorbell?

All to go in here will be in a BG 10 way dual rcd consumer unit
 
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Doorbell on its own circuit isn't really necessary . An electric shower ,if having one ,would need a circuit.
 
Great shout Andy. A loft conversion will be done a few years down the line

So it makes sense to put a ring up there ready for it

If I do that, i guess I'd better put another lighting circuit up there too?

Are people really future proofing with EV circuits?

I think, I'm gonna need a bigger consumer unit :D:D
 
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If you are doing this work you shouldn’t need to ask!

but two constructive points.

Why dual RCD? All RCBO is the better way!

our leaders have declared its all electric (new) vehicles in 10 years time. Your new rewire and CU will be there for several decades, so provision for EV would be sensible. The requirements for EV are changing all the time (just look at the RCD type and TT issues). These will surely be different in 2030, so may need to guess what they’ll be at that time.
 
It’s not expensive if you choose the consumer unit carefully. It also better complies with the separation of circuits reg.
 
You won't need a 'ring' for the loft.

Probably not for upstairs, downstairs (apart from kitchen), possibly not kitchen either.
 
Count the number of circuits you have today and get a consumer unit with N spare positions. But what is the value of N?

One school of thought is that the CU should last for several decades, during which time you my want to add all sorts of new things (vehicle chargers, loft conversion etc.) so N is large.

Another school of thought (more cynical perhaps) is that every time you want to add something, there will be some reason why you have to replace everything. For example: MCBs are not longer made for that CU, “this CU was obviously a DIY install and I’m not going to touch it”, regulations have changed and now CUs have to be made of unobtainium. So N is small.

BTW, I would also recommend RCBOs. You should also budget for hiring a multifunction tester for a week so you can test it when you’ve finished. If you might sell before you die, think about how you’re going to fake the paperwork!
 
It’s not expensive if you choose the consumer unit carefully. It also better complies with the separation of circuits reg.
Oh wow.. Really?

Cost of BG 10 way at screwfix comes in at £68

Specs are as follows
  • 100A Mains Switch
  • 2 x 63A 30mA RCDs
  • 10 x MCBs (3 x 6A, 2 x 16A, 4 x 32A & 1 x 40A)
Which consumer unit would you recommend i get? I'd love to have one with RCBO :D

I don't mind paying a little extra as it will be a better job

You won't need a 'ring' for the loft.

Probably not for upstairs, downstairs (apart from kitchen), possibly not kitchen either.
You're right, it is a bit excessive for the loft.
Radial it is then!

Not sure what people will get up to in the other rooms though (especially the kitchen) so not taking any chances with a radial

Thanks for the help
 
BTW, I would also recommend RCBOs. You should also budget for hiring a multifunction tester for a week so you can test it when you’ve finished. If you might sell before you die, think about how you’re going to fake the paperwork!
Hysterical! :ROFLMAO:

I think its probably best to get a CU with some spare positions

I was hoping to do the wiring and have a sparky fit the CU..

Any chance of this, or will most sparkies say 'no chance' to this proposition?
 
.... If you might sell before you die, think about how you’re going to fake the paperwork!
As I always say, I think that people worry far too much about this.

If there is no 'paperwork' available in relation to past electrical work (which is very common), one simply says so - and 'faking' paperwork is the very last thing one should even consider. If a prospective buyer wants to have an EICR undertaken (at their cost), that is their choice/business (just as it is with structural survey).

Kind Regards, John
 
Here’s the last 4 bedroom house I rewired.

2A55F6DD-864F-4E0F-9C8C-C4106BFF8573.jpeg


1. EV charger (blanked off)
2. Cooker
3. Downstairs ring
4. Kitchen / utility ring
5. Upstairs ring
6. Washing machine / tumble dryer
7. Garage
8. Router / network switch
9. Outside socket
10. Downstairs lights / doorbell
11. Upstairs lights
12. Outside lights
13. Alarm / cctv
14. Central heating
15. Bathroom towel rail
16. Smoke / CO alarms
 

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