Older Wylex fuses

whats wrong with the push button ones? most wholesalers (and even screwfix) sell them, but they are about £10 a pop

What about the requirement of RCD protection for the bathroom?

not sure what you mean, changing the push button for a switch style mcb won't change the fact there is no RCD protection, I was merely asking why the OP wished to change form push button MCBs to the newer style MCB, when both do the same job.
 
It is important to remember that any new electrical works msut comply with the current regulations. Usually this means an RCD/RCDs will be required for new circuits or circuits that are being altered.

If I read your posts correcly this means that you'll need RCD protection for:
The towel rail
Bathroom lighting
Circuits that wil be added to as a result of your bathroom/bedroom re-arrangements.

IMO, together with the age/condition of your existing board, that all adds up to a new consumer unit.

Hi - the installation of a new consumer unit will cost too much and in my unprofessional opinion (so not worth much!) not necessary.

Existing Bathroom

Will become a bedroom, has a lighting pendant (doesn't meet any sort of regs!) in it so I will just be changing the fitting and replacing the switch. I will need to add some plug sockets in their but can extend the existing ring (only 4 plug sockets upstairs at the moment so will bring this upto 6).

Existing bedroom

Newly created smaller bedroom (from the split) will utilise the original lighting & switch feed, just need to move them.

Newly created bathroom will have new elec rad, shower fan & light and mains downlighters. This will all feed from the spare slot on CU as decided above.

My understanding on part P

I can add to existing lighting and plug socket rings without an RCD (they are not wet areas) and it is non notifiable works.

Loop in setups

Ground floor lighting - with new kitchen extension, 4 additional spots will be added on existing lighting ring - total new wattage = 1150W (5A)

1st floor lighting - no addition to existing wattage = 580W (2.5A)

With regards to the multi radial outlets I have no limitations on number of sockets and will be adding extra sockets to elliminate the use of extension leads. There will be no change in the overall draw.

Comments welcomed on my plans. Is the total wattage for the ground floor lighting cutting it too close to the bone?
 
My understanding on part P

I can add to existing lighting and plug socket rings without an RCD (they are not wet areas) and it is non notifiable works.
Notification is one thing, compliance with Part P is another. All the work has to comply with that, notifiable and non-notifiable.



What do you plan to do to ensure that your work complies?
 
As Ban is perhaps hinting to comply with Part P you might well choose to follow our Wiring Regs, if you do follow our Wiring Regs then all your new sockets will need to be on an RCD and normal buried cable too and all items in the bathroom
 
I have a copy of part P and all of the other building regs along with the Collins 'New Complete Wiring & Lighting'. I'm going to buy a copy of the 'On Site Guide' on recomendation of a friend.

The regs are there for a reason so I will follow them but putting an RCD on any new none mecahnically protected burried socket wiring seems over the top.

I'll get my Part P qualified friend to help me complete the more detailed test work.
 
The regs are there for a reason so I will follow them


but putting an RCD on any new none mecahnically protected burried socket wiring seems over the top.
Those two positions are in conflict.

If you want to follow the regulations you have to have any new concealed cables and any new sockets RCD protected.


I'll get my Part P qualified friend to help me complete the more detailed test work.
If you're hoping for any statement of compliance from this friend then you'll have to have any new concealed cables and any new sockets RCD protected.
 
All works I do will be compliant.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough - I would place a RCD protected fuse connection unit where the new cable starts and that would protect all new sockets although.......

It's easier to install the RCD next to the CU so I may just do that - any suggestions of a cheap wall mountable RCD that is 2 x 30A please? I am after the cheapest easiest way to meet the regs.
 
"I would place a RCD protected fuse connection unit where the new cable starts and that would protect all new sockets although......."

If you did that your new sockets would be limited to 13A total.

If you just put a RCD (no fuse) at the connection then run you new sockets from that then both they and the cable would be protected - you could do this on a radial circuit but not on a ring though. But wouldn`t it be a tadd untidy/confusing to all but you in everyday use?
 
Hi ebee - yes it would be untidy and not my prefered solution. I would rather fit an RCD at the CU, can you suggest a cheap RCD unit that I could install next to the CU for a radial circuit please?
 
Hi ebee - yes it would be untidy and not my prefered solution. I would rather fit an RCD at the CU, can you suggest a cheap RCD unit that I could install next to the CU for a radial circuit please?
So that's an RCD for the bathroom, assuming everything goes on one circuit.

An RCD for the new sockets.

An RCD for the new concealed lighting cables.


IMO, together with the age/condition of your existing board, that all adds up to a new consumer unit.
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Yep looks that way - can do it all under the same notice to BC and pay for one test of the whole lot
 
Yep looks that way - can do it all under the same notice to BC and pay for one test of the whole lot
I suppose it will depend on what you wrote on your application - best speak to your LABC before your start.
It will also be worth you while getting your 'Part P electrician' (no such thing by the way) to check your current installation before you install a new consumer unit.
Just in case there are any 'issues' because the new board will invariably show them up.
 
It would be worth getting any electrician he thinks will issue a certificate for it to take charge of the whole thing.
 
Thank you I will get him to take a look. I am not up with the qualifications for sparkies but he works in a hospital in the maintenance department and is doing all of his sparky exams at the moment and is Part P qualified but not registered (I think that's the correct way of explaining it).

Anyone know of a good value for money sparky in and around the East Sussex/Kent border (Crowborough) area?
 

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