When we moved into our house a few years ago, the surveyor commented that the electrics "could do with modernisation". The sockets are surface mounted on the skirting board, and there are 6 single sockets for the whole 3 bedroom house . Here’s a photo of the existing circuit fuses (click photo for larger image):
I’d like to replace the existing collection shown in the photo with a split rail consumer unit, and I also want to split the ring main into upstairs, downstairs and kitchen. I’ve submitted a building notice to South Gloucestershire building control and they’ve told me that they can’t inspect the work themselves, and I must arrange for a suitably qualified electrician to carry out an inspection and issue a certificate. They tried to put me off doing things properly by charging me £120, but I wasn’t deterred. A few questions:
1) The result I’m after is a BS7671. Is this suitable to keep the next surveyor happy?
2) Can I expect building control to pay for any part of the inspection, or was most of the £120 just Part-P tax. (ok, that was the last time ).
I’ve arranged for a local NAPIT registered electrician to drop by on Monday and discuss how I should do things so that they pass his inspection. I’ll be doing whatever he requires, but I thought I should put together some plans first. Any comments on the following:
3) I’ve contacted Western Power Distribution and arranged for the service head fuse to be replaced with a modern 80 amp unit.
4) I’ve also asked them to install an isolator after the meter so they don’t have to come out again. How should this be added (see photo)? Between the meter and the original Henley block?
5) I’d like to put the new CU above head height, requiring 2 metre tails, which is OK with WPD. Is PVC trunking suitable for 16mm tails and earth?
6) The earth bonding needs updating. I’m thinking of connecting the existing TN-S earth on the incoming sheath to a terminal block, and adding wires to the water and gas pipes, and the new consumer unit. Is 10mm earth cable OK for this, or should I get some 16mm earth?
Any comments on these questions gratefully received. I’ve been reading these forums for the last couple of weeks while I put some plans together, and you guys seem generally hospitable to DIY electricians.
I’d like to replace the existing collection shown in the photo with a split rail consumer unit, and I also want to split the ring main into upstairs, downstairs and kitchen. I’ve submitted a building notice to South Gloucestershire building control and they’ve told me that they can’t inspect the work themselves, and I must arrange for a suitably qualified electrician to carry out an inspection and issue a certificate. They tried to put me off doing things properly by charging me £120, but I wasn’t deterred. A few questions:
1) The result I’m after is a BS7671. Is this suitable to keep the next surveyor happy?
2) Can I expect building control to pay for any part of the inspection, or was most of the £120 just Part-P tax. (ok, that was the last time ).
I’ve arranged for a local NAPIT registered electrician to drop by on Monday and discuss how I should do things so that they pass his inspection. I’ll be doing whatever he requires, but I thought I should put together some plans first. Any comments on the following:
3) I’ve contacted Western Power Distribution and arranged for the service head fuse to be replaced with a modern 80 amp unit.
4) I’ve also asked them to install an isolator after the meter so they don’t have to come out again. How should this be added (see photo)? Between the meter and the original Henley block?
5) I’d like to put the new CU above head height, requiring 2 metre tails, which is OK with WPD. Is PVC trunking suitable for 16mm tails and earth?
6) The earth bonding needs updating. I’m thinking of connecting the existing TN-S earth on the incoming sheath to a terminal block, and adding wires to the water and gas pipes, and the new consumer unit. Is 10mm earth cable OK for this, or should I get some 16mm earth?
Any comments on these questions gratefully received. I’ve been reading these forums for the last couple of weeks while I put some plans together, and you guys seem generally hospitable to DIY electricians.