Having electrical and electrician problems. Can anyone tell me whether I should have a Consumer Unit with RCCB or a Split Load Consumer Unit in my house?
Fuse Boards
- Thread starter charliejess22
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The first is not to current standards, because the regulation that says not all circuits should be de-energised in the event of an RCD trip has not been satisfied by an RCD incomer (314.01.02), the second would be, providing provision is made for some/all socket outlets to be RCD protected.
thanks for your reply, we had the Consumer Unit with RCCB fitted in 2003, would it have to be replaced now?
It might be possible and easier to modify it *
What is the brand? How many ways does it have? How many are used, and what circuits do you have?
Can you post a picture?
Most people use split-loads these days
If the old one is undersized or you need to replace it for some other reason it might be cheaper to fit a new one as they are readily available at competitive prices.
*RCBOs are great!
What is the brand? How many ways does it have? How many are used, and what circuits do you have?
Can you post a picture?
Most people use split-loads these days
If the old one is undersized or you need to replace it for some other reason it might be cheaper to fit a new one as they are readily available at competitive prices. *RCBOs are great!
It is Contactum, can't upload the picture.
Don't know anything about electrics but had a problem with some sockets and had two partner electricians round today at separate times they seemed give contradicting opinions. They now say we need to have the whole upstairs re-wired and a new split load fuse box. Sounds expensive so was trying to get some advice.
It has 2 socket rings, 2 light rings, shower on it. Problem with the sockets was downstairs which the first guy said needed rewiring but the second guy fixed then said the wires upstairs are "crossed over" so is too dangerous and has switched all the upstairs sockets off.
Don't know whether you can help but does this sound reasonable?
It has 2 socket rings, 2 light rings, shower on it. Problem with the sockets was downstairs which the first guy said needed rewiring but the second guy fixed then said the wires upstairs are "crossed over" so is too dangerous and has switched all the upstairs sockets off.
Don't know whether you can help but does this sound reasonable?
I can't see your installation from here 
but a lot depends on how old it is, and how well done.
On a ring circuit (if done properly) all the connections are accessible, behind the sockets, so anything which has been "crossed over" should be easy to find and fix. However, if it is an old or amateurish installation, there might be damaged cables; connections hidden away under the floor or plastered over so difficult and time consuming to find, and this is a sign of a nasty installation. If the cables are very old they may have deteriorated from age (this would not apply to 1990 cables unless they were in a very hot or otherwise hostile environment).
If you are thinking of having any domestic rewiring done, ask your electricians if they are a member of a self-certification scheme, and which one (it should be on their business cards and invoices). If not, their work will have to be inspected by the local authority building control office, which is much more trouble and expense than having it done by a suitably qualified person in the first place. It is also not a good sign.
(there are differing opinions about whether being a member of a scheme makes you a good electrician; perhaps not always; but would you want to ride in a taxi with a driver who hadn't got a licence?)
p.s. - If you had an electrical installation done a few years ago, you are not obliged to have it re-done just because recommendadtions or standards have changed, provided it is safe. "Not To Current Standards" in an information point, not one requiring urgent attention.
but a lot depends on how old it is, and how well done.On a ring circuit (if done properly) all the connections are accessible, behind the sockets, so anything which has been "crossed over" should be easy to find and fix. However, if it is an old or amateurish installation, there might be damaged cables; connections hidden away under the floor or plastered over so difficult and time consuming to find, and this is a sign of a nasty installation. If the cables are very old they may have deteriorated from age (this would not apply to 1990 cables unless they were in a very hot or otherwise hostile environment).
If you are thinking of having any domestic rewiring done, ask your electricians if they are a member of a self-certification scheme, and which one (it should be on their business cards and invoices). If not, their work will have to be inspected by the local authority building control office, which is much more trouble and expense than having it done by a suitably qualified person in the first place. It is also not a good sign.
(there are differing opinions about whether being a member of a scheme makes you a good electrician; perhaps not always; but would you want to ride in a taxi with a driver who hadn't got a licence?)
p.s. - If you had an electrical installation done a few years ago, you are not obliged to have it re-done just because recommendadtions or standards have changed, provided it is safe. "Not To Current Standards" in an information point, not one requiring urgent attention.
Has been mentioned here recently that the current draft of the 17th edition of the regs requires all circuits to be RCD protected (whether a single RCD will be allowable I don't know - must go and read). So I wouldn't rush into changing things.
Reading between the lines of you original post it looks like you are questioning an electricians reccommendation to change the CU. If so, post more info about the other work being done, people may be able advise better then. (Ahh - you posted while I was writing this).
Secure - if its TT aren't you allowed a single RCD?
Reading between the lines of you original post it looks like you are questioning an electricians reccommendation to change the CU. If so, post more info about the other work being done, people may be able advise better then. (Ahh - you posted while I was writing this).
Secure - if its TT aren't you allowed a single RCD?
stevesey said:
No. You have to fit a 100mA TD RCD as an incommer, and also a 30mA RCD to protect any sockets which may supply equipment for use outside.
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I would not consider a 30mA global RCD on a TT supply at risk, just not to current standards. However, as per the previous reg that I quoted, to be to the latest standards, one way to comply is to fit a split-load board, but replace the 100A incomer with an S type 100mA RCD, as RF says.
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