Electrical safety

thirdtimelucky · 6 Feb 2016

I have 2 questions. My daughters new house.
1. I have replaced both (damaged) cables serving a ring main socket. One of the new cables has been taken back to the adjoining socket. The other cable, however, goes back to the consumer unit via a convoluted path and would require dismantling kitchen units and tiling to replace.
I have therefore joined the two ends of the new and existing cable together using a JB under the floor. Does this meet regulations?
2. The previous occupiers had an extension built and have wired several new lights to the ring main using a fused spur. It will create a fair amount of disruption to dis it from the ring main and join it into the lighting circuit. If I change the fused spur to an RCD or RCBO spur would that meet regs?
I don't like the existing fused spur because it is a bog standard in line 5 amp fuse (that could easily be replaced with a 13amp fuse)

Iggifer · 6 Feb 2016

thirdtimelucky said:
I have 2 questions. My daughters new house.
1. I have replaced both (damaged) cables serving a ring main socket. One of the new cables has been taken back to the adjoining socket. The other cable, however, goes back to the consumer unit via a convoluted path and would require dismantling kitchen units and tiling to replace.
I have therefore joined the two ends of the new and existing cable together using a JB under the floor. Does this meet regulations?
2. The previous occupiers had an extension built and have wired several new lights to the ring main using a fused spur. It will create a fair amount of disruption to dis it from the ring main and join it into the lighting circuit. If I change the fused spur to an RCD or RCBO spur would that meet regs?
I don't like the existing fused spur because it is a bog standard in line 5 amp fuse (that could easily be replaced with a 13amp fuse)

1. Assuming it's a Maintenance free junction box, yes it does
2. Do you not have RCD protection in your consumer unit? An RCD FCU doesn't stop you putting a 13a fuse in. There is nothing wrong with the current set up

EFLImpudence · 6 Feb 2016

I don't like the existing fused spur because it is a bog standard in line 5 amp fuse (that could easily be replaced with a 13amp fuse)

Don't do it then.

The fuse is there to protect the cable so it likely wouldn't matter anyway.

thirdtimelucky · 6 Feb 2016

The Consumer Unit, fitted in the 80's only has mcb's

Iggifer · 6 Feb 2016

thirdtimelucky said:
The Consumer Unit, fitted in the 80's only has mcb's

Well I'd be more concerned about RCD protecting my socket outlets rather than a spur off the socket circuit to feed some lighting.

And technically, the new cables you have installed by replacing the damaged ones need to be RCD protected.

thirdtimelucky · 6 Feb 2016

Would that require a new CU, or could the mcb be changed for an rcbo?
Daughter is working on a tight budget and needs to conserve cash

Iggifer · 6 Feb 2016

It would depend on the vintage of the consumer unit, the brand, and what is/was available.

You might just be able to get the main switch changed for an RCD. This is FAR from ideal, as if you have an RCD fault, you lose EVERYTHING, but it's the cheapest option. It's not really advisable, but there are plenty of installs out there like it.

Whether or not you could convince anybody to do that for you is another matter, they may well insist on a board change.

Post a photo of the consumer unit and we can let you know whether there are RCBOs available.

bernardgreen · 6 Feb 2016

thirdtimelucky said:
I have therefore joined the two ends of the new and existing cable together using a JB under the floor. Does this meet regulations?

As mentioned it might meet the regs if the junction box is a maintenance free type. Another method is to add another socket somewhere on a wall where teh old cable can reach and use that to join the old and new cables

thirdtimelucky · 6 Feb 2016

Iggifer · 6 Feb 2016

Well, you can't change the breakers for RCBOs and you can't change the main switch for an RCD, they just never existed.

However, I can't quite tell, but that looks like an RCD underneath? What does it say on it?

thirdtimelucky · 6 Feb 2016

It is an rcd but only protects the kitchen circuit

thirdtimelucky · 6 Feb 2016

I might be worth changeing the c/u when she can afford it. In the meantime.....?

stillp · 6 Feb 2016

Do I see a couple of burn marks under the 2nd and 3rd MCBs?

deadshort · 6 Feb 2016

Hi, i would replace the CU it's only 6ways, it's not too expensive.

DS

PBC_1966 · 6 Feb 2016

Iggifer said:
However, I can't quite tell, but that looks like an RCD underneath? What does it say on it?

That's a Wylex RCD from a few years ago - Probably 100mA, but can't make it out clearly enough to be sure.

diynot

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