Moving Consumer Unit

[kingy999]

Hi,
Looking at moving my consumer unit away from the front door and into a cupboard about 10m away.

Can anyone tell me what kind and size of cable do i need to run to the relocated board and if it's swa how do i connect it into the 100a dp switch which from what i can see so far are mostly plastic. ie keeping the earth connection.

Thanks

 

[Steve]

Your electrician has the answers . . .

The answer though is a metal adaptable box, a fairly chunky one, since you'll need 25mm² SWA, 2 or 3 core. Though your electrician will be able to get hold of some split concentric cable, which has a smaller outer diameter and wont need metal adaptable boxes.

 

[Chri5]

I could tell you, but I'm not sure I should.

Do you enjoy living? If so arrange for a electrician to do the work and test off all ccts, earths the full installation post the work being completed.

Scotland have build warrants and since I work in England I have little idea regarding the legalities of the work you suggest you might do yourself.

When you move the Consumer Unit how do you intend to move the circuit cabling that terminates on the CU, electrical cable is not elastic and you will need to consider if cables can be pulled back to the new position, will they be re-run or extended via permanent crimps or suitable termination blocks.

Then there's the earths, earths in 10mm from the gas i/c point and the i/c water, the mains head earth and the 16mm earth to CU

Then there's the 25mm tails between CU and mains head.

Then there's the testing and certification.

Sorry you may well be up to this work, but it isn't DIY work and frankly you sound like a keen DIyer, surely you don't want to build your own coffin

 

[Adam_151]

You should consult your DNO...chances are you'll need to provide overcurrent protection if it is 10m away...100A metalclad SP 1361 switchfuse is probably best (with TT you'll have to have an upstream RCD) and then 25mm² SWA or split-con... keep the MET where it is and run your main bonds from there

As far as paperwork is concerned... I don't belive a building warrent is needed unless the house has more than two floors and the work isn't comming about because of any other building work (eg wanting to remove the wall to which the CU is currently fixed)... but its not a task for someone to 'dabble' with...needs a lot more competance than changing a light fitting and of course all circuits will need testing and an EIC needs filling out

(but then I live a few hundred miles south of the border, so double check that...)

 

[kingy999]

Thanks for the advice.
I think i'll just get an electrician to do it.
By the way i'll be re-wiring the whole house so no probs with moving the circuits and main earth bonds.
Cheers