new consumer unit

[magico]

i am planning on having a new consumer unit fitted as i need more fuse ways.
thinking of getting a 12way
my only question is how long do you think it`ll take the electrician to do.

 

[nozspark]

It only takes a couple of hours to change a consumer unit,,,,,however any decent spark should firstly check the current installation to see if it's ok (PIR), then carry out and remedial work and then, and only then, replace the CU.

So a couple of hours to do the PIR
???? hours to do the remedial work
a couple of hours to replace the CU

Regarding the remedial work I normally find that the MEB's and supplementary bonding is not up to scratch, also switched lives not identified and dropped earths

 

[wedge69]

I had an electrician upgrade my old consumer unit to a split load RCD protected one. Was a year ago now, but form memory Ieckon it only took him a couple of hours max, so you would probably get charged for half a day?

 

[DESL]

Has the electrician seen the existing set up? If so ask him.

A lot depends on the age and condition of wiring, accesories and earthing/bonding etc. This will determine the amount of inspection and testing and remedial work, this is the lengthy aspect of CU change.

Also will the supply cut out fuse need upgrading if you are adding more ccts?

 

[dingbat]

I had an electrician upgrade my old consumer unit to a split load RCD protected one. ... from memory I reckon it only took him a couple of hours max..

If you got an electrical installation certificate (which you should have) the test results will almost certainly be fictitious.

Naturally you also got a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate?

...

Thought not.

 

[DESL]

Exactly Ding

I had a quote for a CU change turned down by a customer as he said "what all that just to swap 8 wires from one board to another can't be that difficult"

 

[dingbat]

Customers like that are not worth wasting time on. I never justify my prices and if they think it's too much (I am very, very reasonable, by the way) I am happy not to work for them.

 

[RF Lighting]

My average CU swap takes 1 full day.

This includes swapping the board, invariably upgrade / installation of main bonds, full test and filling out the certificate.

It can easily run into two days if for example an O/C ring is discovered or a N-E fault.

 

[Steve]

My average CU swap takes 1 full day.

Thats what comes of making them so photogenic! All that crimping new core colours onto the ends and hiding the old colours behind

 

[RF Lighting]

My average CU swap takes 1 full day.

Thats what comes of making them so photogenic!

*I know that is not a proper main switch, but the wrong one was sent. I fitted them bits just just for measuring the tails off. The installation is not yet live

 

[Steve]

And inside the conduit above . . . a maze of red, black, blue and brown and crimps left right and centre Only kidding rob, great job.

Not seen the inside of a SqD board before, was surprised to see the lives coming out of the bottom. Guess these boards are made for interchangability with the 3 phase ones.

 

[securespark]

I had an old Lupus one the other day with "Midget" breakers which, despite their name are f'in huge!!

And the neutral busbar has non-captive terminals on it. Once loosened off, the conductors are a bu**er to remove.

Tried to get a piccy, but my camera phone has no flash...

Rob - don't s'pose you got one in your huge library?

 

[bernardgreen]

Tried to get a piccy, but my camera phone has no flash...

Connect blue to brown with a thin bit of wire, switch on and theres your flash

 

[RF Lighting]

Rob - don't s'pose you got one in your huge library?

Best I can manage

The bottom of a Lupus Midget 8way M/C TP dist board in the background.

You can see the crappy neutral bar though

 

[securespark]

Now, how about a picture of a female baboon on heat in India's monsoon season? Goa, to be precise...

Edit: And she was!!

If you can do this one, I'll be seriously impressed!!