RCD mainswitch? What's the best way forward?

[Studeent]

Hi all first time posting on here, my friend is currently living in a flat in South Wales, with an Independant main fuse as you can hopefully see.. It uses a 63a RCD as a main switch
6a lights and smokes
16a storage heater
X2 32a cooker and sockets

To introduce heating (no gas) he wants to just swap the 16 to 32 and make it ring, adding electric heaters(6/32/32/32). I've put him in touch with an electrician so no rush on replies, but just interested in learning more myself as I'll be starting a course soon. Would this be viable? Would it meet regs? Would it be better to do a board change and change to rcbos?

Thanks in advance for any input

Edit: max load on the heaters 32a would be 7kw

 

[Jock from the north]

Hi all first time posting on here, my friend is currently living in a flat in South Wales, with an Independant main fuse as you can hopefully see.. It uses a 63a RCD as a main switch
6a lights and smokes
16a storage heater
X2 32a cooker and sockets

To introduce heating (no gas) he wants to just swap the 16 to 32 and make it ring, adding electric heaters(6/32/32/32). I've put him in touch with an electrician so no rush on replies, but just interested in learning more myself as I'll be starting a course soon. Would this be viable? Would it meet regs? Would it be better to do a board change and change to rcbos?

Thanks in advance for any input

Edit: max load on the heaters 32a would be 7kw

The board looks a mishmash,it's filled with different mcbs.not to mention the rcd rating is only 63 amp which obviously wouldn't trip with the extra load you might put on it but it wont do the contacts any good.its also of the ac type so adding or altering new circuits would or should require a type a rcd.its also very inconvenient if you have a fault as it will wipe out the whole board.a requirement of earth leakage per rcd could also be a problem (9ma] per rcd and you only have one.if it was my flat I'd change the consumer unit to either a split board or preferably rcbos depending on budget and have some spares.my local electric base /huwes grey are selling 10 way split boards with spd for 30 plus vat which is quite incredible cost wise

 

[Tom256]

Overload protection of the 63 amp RCD needs to be considered.
Rated current of the LV assemble needs to be considered.

Regulations 536.4.3.3 , 536.4.202 refer

Options:
The rating of the RCD needs to be greater than / equal to the rating of the upstream device. Type of upstream device also needs to be confirmed.
If not:
The sum of the individual OCPD in the board will need to total less than or equal to the rating (63 amp) of the rcd. They do not in this example.

Diversity can be considered but must not be based on this alone and if going this route the manufacturer of the RCD must be consulted and I suspect they would require suitable upstream protection.

 

[Studeent]

The board looks a mishmash,it's filled with different mcbs.not to mention the rcd rating is only 63 amp which obviously wouldn't trip with the extra load you might put on it but it wont do the contacts any good.its also of the ac type so adding or altering new circuits would or should require a type a rcd.its also very inconvenient if you have a fault as it will wipe out the whole board.a requirement of earth leakage per rcd could also be a problem (9ma] per rcd and you only have one.if it was my flat I'd change the consumer unit to either a split board or preferably rcbos depending on budget and have some spares.my local electric base /huwes grey are selling 10 way split boards with spd for 30 plus vat which is quite incredible cost wise

That's great thank you for the support

 

[Tom256]

Pleased I gave up my time, before going to work, to supply technical advice all free of charge.

 

[brianmoooore]

Five devices and four different makes doesn't inspire confidence. Add RCD is type AC to Jock's post.
No conscientious competent electrician would allow that CU to survive.

 

[Studeent]

Pleased I gave up my time, before going to work, to supply technical advice all free of charge.

I think there's some confusion by my mistake, I was meant to add that as a reply to the thread rather than individually reply, of course all replies are appreciated

 

[Studeent]

Five devices and four different makes doesn't inspire confidence. Add RCD is type AC to Jock's post.
No conscientious competent electrician would allow that CU to survive.

Nice to hear there are some of these left. Thanks for taking the time

 

[Simon47]

One more thing ...
The radial might not be suitable for conversion to a ring. It all depends on the existing topology and whether a ring would meet the rules for spurs off it. Not likely to be a problem in a flat, but needs checking.