CU tidy up last hurdles are boards fuse size and earth

[ban-all-sheds]

Indeed not, as long as you were clear that's what you were doing, and not failing to grasp what "reasonably expected" meant.

 

[securespark]

However, the concensus under the 16th was, at a minimum, all GF sockets and some sparks put all sockets on the RCD.

Even though that was clearly not the requirement.

The regs are seldom clear.

I take your point that you are always quick to point out where others are advising exceeding the regs as if it were working to the regs.

As usual, it is all down to interpretation of the good book. The requirement was, as I remember,

"A socket outlet rated 32A or less which may reasonably be expected to supply portable equipment for use outdoors....."

They key bit being highlighted in bold.

A long history, I guess, of sparks going for overkill solutions because they are too scared to think for themselves.

It's not about being scared, it's about covering all bases. As RF says, it is a minimum, it can be exceeded.

Imagine a scenario where an unskilled user of an electrical installation (which could describe many householders) finds an RCD socket not working, or a downstairs socket damaged or inconvenient. They may well plug into the landing (or even a cooker control unit which may not have been RCD-protected) to run a lead outside.

If all bases are covered (ie the minimum requirements exceeded), then they would still be protected by RCD.

 

[Cremeegg]

If nothing else it's good to see that you are consistent in having some cheap rubbish Protek MCB's to replace any failing cheap rubbish Contactum MCB's.

 

[oldman2]

If nothing else it's good to see that you are consistent in having some cheap rubbish Protek MCB's to replace any failing cheap rubbish Contactum MCB's.

I dont have any Protek kit, not had one Contactum part fail in the 3yrs its been in use.
Why do you feel the need to be so rude in your replies? being civil costs less than a contactum part you know.

 

[Cremeegg]

Please explain what is rude about my posts. Firstly I enquired where you got the coloured double insulated tails from and secondly I confirmed many peoples opinions of two of the lowest quality brands available.

I'll comment on technical issues not engage in personal attacks.

If you felt wounded enough to have a go at anyone then why not have a go at the many who have queried the quality of your work on show or one who made a personal comment on both your competence and sanity?

 

[sparkyspike]

standard split load boards like yours are no longer allowed, ... although the common answer now seems to be dual split load boards (i.e. two RCDs).

...which are just as bad. But with twice the inconvenience.

 

[oldman2]

Ran pretty short of ways on the original split CU so its got a baby brother now.
Mini trunking resized to ease cable entries, looks pretty industrial

All ground floor rings and radials now on RCD side, only downside seems to be that when I button test any MK masterseal external rcd sockets I trip the CU rcd as well.
The 32Amp industrial socket now conforms to standards.

There is a folder not in pic with detailed data on all circuits.

View media item 12266

 

[Spark123]

You could do with labelling the consumer units or providing durable schedules adjacent to them.
I take it the RCD notice and the wiring to two versons of BS7671 notice are on a piece of trunking lid? Could do with them being stuck on something a bit more permanent.

 

[comms]

Ran pretty short of ways on the original split CU so its got a baby brother now.
Mini trunking resized to ease cable entries, looks pretty industrial

All ground floor rings and radials now on RCD side, only downside seems to be that when I button test any MK masterseal external rcd sockets I trip the CU rcd as well.
The 32Amp industrial socket now conforms to standards.

There is a folder not in pic with detailed data on all circuits.

View media item 12266

Change the external sockets to non rcd type.

 

[toasty]

Looks good.
How did you split the tails then?
I'm not a sparky, but I'd be surprised if you could get two tails into the main DP switch on a CU?

 

[Lectrician]

Having the RCD sockets and an RCD in the CU is not good - change those sockets for non RCD types.

I wouldn't class it as looking industrial. I would class it as looking a tidy domestic (with cheap tat).

Good to see the 32amp outlet has been changed.

Many circuits not RCD protected? What do they serve?

Have you used a C type breaker on your 32amp outlet? I would as a matter of course.

How is the top board fed?

 

[oldman2]

Right next to the CU's to the left is a wall mounted folder with all the detail on way numbers, cable sizes, mcb ratings & detailed discriptions of final circuits. I will attach labels to the boards once I am satisfied everything is permenant.
The mixed colours, rcd etc notices will be attached to the new lower trunking.

The second upper CU is fed via 10mm singles from the first non rcd way on the lower board, its a 50 Amp mcb.

4th from the left on the lower board is a C type 32amp mcb covering the 32Amp socket.

Non rcd circuits are

B50 10mm Supply to upper CU
B40 6mm Supply via SWA to sheds (local 40amp rcd incommer in shed)
B20 2.5mm Supply to single 13amp socket in loft (just in case )
B6 1.5mm Downstairs lighting
B6 1.5mm Attached Garage lighting

Having paid a premium for MK Masterseal 2 gang external sockets under previous regs where only sockets likely to be used to feed outside power I dont feel over keen on now swopping them out for other non rcd types, so I will just have to live with the fact that testing them will trip the CU as well. 2 in series isnt the best practice but better that than none.

 

[LiamPope]

It's not just testing them - a fault on something plugged into one of the RCD sockets will also take out both RCDs. If the RCD sockets are so valuable, get them on ebay

Liam

 

[securespark]

Talking to an NIC spark the other day (this'll generate a lot of flak.... ) and he says there's no harm in using two RCD's in line: if one fails, you have the other.

 

[ricicle]

Talking to an NIC spark the other day (this'll generate a lot of flak.... ) and he says there's no harm in using two RCD's in line: if one fails, you have the other.

That's fine as long as the upstream RCD doesn't take out other circuits.