Garage supply.

[chris765]

Hello all,

My GFs Grandparents called me up yesterday, they had mowed over their extension lead and lost all the power in the garage.

So I went up, worryingly her grandad had started taking face plates off, looking for the problem.

I checked the wiring was still in the right terminals and replaced the front plates.

I then replaced the burnt out fusewire in the CCU


Their garage electrics looked terrible, terminal block all over the show, as you can see the wrong size fusing (discrimination), CPC had been cut in places (even though metal fittings), exposed conductor everywhere etc.

I am going to go back and tidy it all up. May you please just check over the diagram of what I propose. The circuit is fed by 2.5mm and the garage is attached to the house. Its on its own circuit.

Thanks.

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[dingbat]

My GFs Grandparents called me up yesterday, they had mowed over their extension lead and lost all the power in the garage.

When I read that quickly I thought you were talking about your GrandFather's grandparents!!


It is actually fairly inexpensive to purchase a garage consumer unit, such as:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLBS16slash6.html

Much neater and all in one.

And you might want to consider replacing your 3036 fuse with a 1361 cartridge fuse, or even a plug-in circuit breaker; you could go up to 20A unless there are severe restrictions on cable capacity.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[chris765]

That CU infact most probably works out cheaper. A metalclad RCD FCU is about £25-£30 and then I still have to buy another FCU for the lighting.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[chris765]

Something else sorry.

I will most probably get a plug in breaker. Unfortunately I didn't look for the brand of the CU, although I could ring them up to find it out.

I can't find any plugin MCBs on TLC, am I missing something?

edit: found em. Thanks

 

[chris765]

To dig out my old thread.

If I were to use this CU, would it be ok to enter the enclosure clipped direct?
What would be the best way to get a couple of T+E in there, drill a hole along the back edge?
I appreciate it wouldnt retain its IP rating.

Thanks

 

[Taylortwocities]

There will be cut outs to access in the sides and bottom.

You shouldn't need the IP requirement unless the garage has no roof!

 

[securespark]

If the cable's 2.5 throughout and not excessively long or run in insulation, you could fit a 20A breaker in the board and replace the RCD FCU with a stand-alone unit in an enclosure.

That would give the circuit a bigger capacity if needed.

 

[chris765]

Ah super, I could see the conduit knockouts but didnt know if would have any others.

As per the diagram its on a 5A BS3036 on the board, so I need to change that to a 20A. The board is made by MEM. Will a plugin MCB fit, or does it need to be the same brand. Sorry for the ignorance but am inexperienced with the rewire-ables.
The only thing with this MCB, they arent going to be able to shut the lid onto the fuses?

Thanks as always.

 

[securespark]

Will a plugin MCB fit

Not if the MCB is Wylex and the board MEM, no.

Can you post a piccy of your board, then we know what we're dealing with?

 

[chris765]

Sorry but I havent got a picture.

Ideally they need a new CCU. But thats a job for a qualified spark not me. It seems that MEM MCB plugins arent available so I imagine the next best thing to do would be getting a 15a Fuse Carrier. Ive found a 32A on ebay of the same type, but that is too large.

My idea of replacing their FCU/sockets and provide the correct discrimitation seems a lot more complicated than first imagined, of course without a CCU change.

 

[plugwash]

I see a couple of options.

If you can replace the cable from the house to the garage without too much hassle I'd just replace it with 6mm. Then you can fit a 30A fuse at the house and feed a new garage CU off it.

It's also possible to load a rewirable carrier with smaller fusewire than it's rated for though if you do this make damn sure it's clearly labeled.