Can you take 2 phases to a consumer unit?

[Pete999]

Hi,

I am training to become and electrician, I have passed my C&G level 2 exams. I am working as an electrical improver.



I came across a consumer unit today, which has two main switches and two phases L2 and L3 supplying it.
I can see where you are coming from Gigsy, might seem a daft question but have you actually confirmed that the voltage between L2 and L3 is 4oo volts, I only ask because it seems an odd installation to me, probably barking up the wrong tree, but I thought I would ask just to be sure.



Does this board comply with regs?



Can you take 2 phases to a consumer unit?

View attachment 42245

 

[Wilko]

Hi Gigsy, been keeping busy I see !
These boards are intended by manufacturers to be used for single phase. For more than one phase a 3 phase board should be used, in my humble opinion. I would drop an email to manufacturer's tech dept for their view.

 

[Octopus]

I don't think he has wired this CU.

Are you SO sure?

He seems to be defending its use rather than learning the reasons its not really suitable.

I would have said that this "box" needs a 3P isolator, in it, or at the very least adjacent to it.

 

[telectrix]

not sure about regs. but I'd not be comfortable with it.(even if the wiring was not a rat's nest).

 

[Pete999]

Hi,

I am training to become and electrician, I have passed my C&G level 2 exams. I am working as an electrical improver.



I came across a consumer unit today, which has two main switches and two phases L2 and L3 supplying it.
I can see where you are coming from Gigsy, might seem a daft question but have you actually confirmed that the voltage between L2 and L3 is 4oo volts, I only ask because it seems an odd installation to me, probably barking up the wrong tree, but I thought I would ask just to be sure.



Does this board comply with regs?



Can you take 2 phases to a consumer unit?

View attachment 42245

 

[Spoon]

Are you SO sure?
He seems to be defending its use rather than learning the reasons its not really suitable.

No mate, I'm not sure. Just quoted what the OP stated in his first post. Lest ask...

I came across a consumer unit today

@Gigsy . Did you wire up this CU or do any changes to it?

 

[Pete999]

Don't know if my last post went anywhere Gigsy, may seem a daft question, and I'm only asking because I'm not sure what I'm looking at, but have you canfirmedthat there are 2 phases present, by testing the Voltage between L2 and L3

 

[Midwest]

The 3rd phase (L1) goes to a consumer unit downstairs. I think they have balanced the load.

Long time since I did any 3 phase stuff, but that doesn't appear to be a very good design. Either of those two DB's could be altered over time, and without in depth knowledge of the installation, one could be significantly altered in preference to the other. Unlikely to happen in a single dedicated 3P DB, IMO.

 

[Corbs]

Anyone else notice the screws arnt done up (top left and right) someone could lift it up and pull it off the wall

 

[westward10]

Anyone else notice the screws arnt done up (top left and right) someone could lift it up and pull it off the wall

Its a flexible board

 

[Corbs]

Its a flexible board

Hope that armor is glanded and terminated correctly

 

[Deleted account]

It is not a home made enclosure, It is made by contactum.
The box has a 400v sticker on it, so anybody who wishes to service it knows the potential voltage.

Hi gigsy,
It's not a home made enclosure, but someone has adapted it in such a way as it no longer resembles or performs as it was intended. Therefore it's a home made adaption to fit a second phase that it was not intended for.

P.S. What is an electrical improver?

 

[Pete999]

Hi gigsy,
It's not a home made enclosure, but someone has adapted it in such a way as it no longer resembles or performs as it was intended. Therefore it's a home made adaption to fit a second phase that it was not intended for.

P.S. What is an electrical improver?

It used to be in my time, someone who had done an apprenticeship and would normally spend the next 6 months as an Improver, that was what I did, mind you that was early 1960s. Don't know what it is these days what with apprenticeships the way they are structured.

 

[Gigsy]

Hi Gigsy, been keeping busy I see !
These boards are intended by manufacturers to be used for single phase. For more than one phase a 3 phase board should be used, in my humble opinion. I would drop an email to manufacturer's tech dept for their view.

Very good advise, thank you

 

[Gigsy]

Are you SO sure?

He seems to be defending its use rather than learning the reasons its not really suitable.

I would have said that this "box" needs a 3P isolator, in it, or at the very least adjacent to it.

I want to know if the board breaches any regulations. I have passed C&G level 2 regs exam. As far as I can see, no regulations have been breached here. I need to know so I can advise the owner of the building, if there is a breach of a regulation. I am not going to tell him this board needs changing until I know for sure it does. The work required to put it right (if anything is in breach of any regs) would be over £1000 in my opinion.

Is there is regulation which state a 3 phase isolator needs to be adjacent to it, or did you just make that up? If so can you give me the regulation number please?