Removing redundant 2nd CU

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I just want to get some advice before getting an electrician in, as we don't know any so want to be able to know if we can trust what he's saying.

We've just moved into a new 3 bed house. One master and 2 small bedrooms.

The main CU feeds a 2nd CU upstairs in the 2nd bedroom.
The Setup is thus:

MAIN CU (Downstairs)
6A - Upstairs Lights (Master Bed)
6A - Downstairs Lights
32A - Downstairs Ring Main
32A - Ensuite Shower (via another 32A single breaker CU)
16A - Water Heater (Now Unused terminates at a fused switch in 2nd bedroom)
32A - Upstairs Ring Main (Master Bed) AND Second CU (in 2nd Bedroom)

SECOND CU (2nd Bedroom)
20A - Cable terminates under floor
6A - Upstairs Lights (2nd and 3rd Bedrooms)
16A - Upstairs Ring Main (2nd and 3rd Bedrooms)


We want to get rid of the second CU as it's really in the way and takes up much needed space in a small bedroom.
There are currently 2 feeds from the main CU to the 2nd bed - FEED 1 goes to the 2nd CU. FEED 2 used to feed the old water heater and now terminates at a fused switch in the 2nd bed.

Can I do one of the following? Is so which is best, and what concerns should I have...?:

Plan A
1) Remove FEED 1 entirely, from MAIN CU. Remove wiring, and 2nd CU.
2) Put FEED 2 into a new junction box under the floorboards in 2nd bed. Connect the "Ring Main" cable that currently comes from the 2nd CU. Thus converting the old 16A water heater circuit into a 16A ring main for the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms.
3) Find lighting cables in loft and connect 2nd and 3rd bedroom lights to existing master bedroom lighting circuit.

Plan B
1) Remove FEED 1 from 2nd CU, and discard CU. Put FEED 1 into a new junction box under floorboards in 2nd bed. Connect the "Ring Main" cable that currently comes from the 2nd CU. Thus feeding sockets in all 3 bedrooms from 32A "Upstairs Ring Main" circuit.
2) Put FEED 2 into a new junction box under floorboards in 2nd bed. Connect the "Lighting" cable that currently comes from the 2nd CU. Replace 16A breaker with 6A breaker. Thus converting the old 16A water heater circuit into a 6A lighting circuit for the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms.


Many thanks
 
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Forget even thinking about doing it yourself. Look in the local press for electricians and check they are registered with either NICEIC or ELECSA. This can be done online. The one you decide to go with will be the one to advise you on which way to go.
 
I agree, this sounds like quite a task suited to someone experienced in doing it, and who can help assess why a secondary board was fitted in the first place and how to go about removing it.

Also, you cannot but a junction box under a floor as it won't be accessible, unless its a maintenance free one.
 
It’s annoying to find a thread that’s been posted on another board. If you don’t like the answers given on one board it’s up to you.
Don’t try to play one against the other.

Employ an electrician that will give a definitive answer!
 
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  1. He posted them at about the same time.
  2. It's quite possible that the first (whichever it was) had had no replies when he posted the other ones.
  3. He hasn't been disputing any of the advice given on any of the fora.
  4. People are always being told to get more than one quote, so why not ask questions on more than one forum?
 

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