My Consumer Unit

uksparks · Jan 5, 2016

Hi,

I thought Id just share what Im doing with everyone.

At present I have a 16th Edition Hager board, its full, its got 18 circuits in it, and a couple doubled up.

I purchased a plastic one 12 months ago to take 20 ways, and was just looking at changing it next week for the plastic one and back dating it.

But having 20 RCBO's in it, its going to be a pain in the --- to get it done and neat and not crammed in...

So....

I am going to order a Hager Invicta 3 8 way board so I can get 24 single phase ways in it, also leaves me loads of space and will not bling on the wall in the garage.

It will also leave a lot of space so that I can fit a surge protector at a later day, just need to by a single phase conversion kit and an incomer but it will look a million times better on the wall and 10 times easier to terminate everything.

The only thing that ill have to do is lengthen a load of the circuits, not all, but a chunk of them, and also extend the 25mm meter tails, I have to admit, im not a big fan of extending tails as I don't like a joint in them, but it will be impossible for me to draw new tails in as they go up the cavity and across and its a non starter. I think if I just double heat wrap them and crimp them well it should be fine.

Anyway, the Invicta board, at least it complies with Amd3.

Ill post photos up when I do it.

Its costing me quite a bit as ill need 20 RCBO's and the board, and kit etc, £650 in total!!

andyb · Jan 7, 2016

hightower said:
And use what in its place though? Surely there is a way to calculating these things or is it merely guess work a lot of the time?

Common sense.

I've never seen the point of it other than the odd circuit. Cookers or maybe if I'm installing several heaters.

You've obviously used it to calculate Sparks max demand. What do you get if he had exactly the same amount of sockets and lights but only had 2 final rings for the sockets and 2 lighting circuits?

hightower · Jan 7, 2016

andyb said:
Common sense.

I've never seen the point of it other than the odd circuit. Cookers or maybe if I'm installing several heaters.

You've obviously used it to calculate Sparks max demand. What do you get if he had exactly the same amount of sockets and lights but only had 2 final rings for the sockets and 2 lighting circuits?

A lot less according to the tables in the OSG. I understand that splitting the circuits isn't realistically gonna increase the maximum demand, but technically it could surely?

Spoon · Jan 7, 2016

hightower said:
........but technically it could surely?

Technically a lot could happen mate. Technically I could buy 30 3kw heaters and plug them into my sockets. Technically I could wipe out the diversity table by plugging in all sorts of stuff.... As andb says, you have to use some common sense.

hightower · Jan 7, 2016

Spoon said:
Technically a lot could happen mate. Technically I could buy 30 3kw heaters and plug them into my sockets. Technically I could wipe out the diversity table buy plugging in all sorts of stuff.... As andb says, you have to use some common sense.

Fair cop mate :smile5:

andyb · Jan 7, 2016

hightower said:
A lot less according to the tables in the OSG. I understand that splitting the circuits isn't realistically gonna increase the maximum demand, but technically it could surely?

I don't see how. The occupier will not be aware of the installation design.

Hard to know what to say Hightower, you are a trainee so I assume that you will be sitting exams where you will be asked questions on max demand and diversity. You can only answer with regard to 7671 and the onsite guide.

Spoon · Jan 7, 2016

hightower said:
Fair cop mate :smile5:

We all understand where you are coming from though. It's always best to have something you can work with, so if anyone questions it you can show them, rather than just say "common sense". Problem is, there are loads of people out there that don't have any at all.....

NDG Elecs · Jan 7, 2016

R G said:
If there were elderly people in the house I would always look at the installation and make a judgement based on how they would know what todo if an RCD tripped and especially if a stairlift is involved , each case merits its own judgement based upon the installation and the occupier...

I have been called out many times to reset an RCD covering several circuits with elderly involved , an RCBO means one circuit is out only...

Yep fair enough RG, good point. Never thought of oldies.

Midwest · Jan 7, 2016

hightower said:
Ha, how big is your supply?! That's a total of 334A. Add some diversity to those circuits as per OSG guidelines, and you'd still be looking at the 200A mark (I think anyway, I could have it totally wrong!)

Don't know if you've seen this video from JW (bloody nice bloke), might help;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0uODypaGI

telectrix · Jan 7, 2016

reasonably well explained but about as interesting as washing my sweaty socks.

Midwest · Jan 7, 2016

telectrix said:
reasonably well explained but about as interesting as washing my sweaty socks.

Surprised you had time to watch it, pudding fillers and all.

uksparks · Jan 7, 2016

It is very well split down, I cannot think who installed it without looking on the CU label.

The house is 14 years old, so not ancient, I would say it is well thought out.

The things I have added since moving in 16 months ago are these circuits:

LEFT BANK OF RCBO'S
-------------------------
6 CCTV Power
16 Dedicated Circuit for Compressor
16 Immersion Heater
20 Solar Panels
32 Garage Ring Circuit
6 Front Pillar Lights, side and rear
10 Garage Roller Shutters

yes I agree, its totally overkill filling a board up with RCBO's, and nothing has ever tripped, but as I have just bought the house and plan to stay there for 20+ years, I would like to replace it with something good and as separated as much as possible just so I know a fault on lights outside cannot trip my fridge etc..

Its not just that, but I don't know about you but I get off on going over the top like this, its my house and I want it to be bling! Just think, the next person or spark that looks at it should be suitably impressed!

jackhammerJIM · Jan 7, 2016

uksparks said:
the next person or spark that looks at it should be suitably impressed!

Or think its a waste of money.

Im all for rcbos and have done many a mains change favouring them over split rcd . However i would be doubling up upstairs lighting with far end upstairs lighting and the same for downstairs to save myself £50

tomspark93 · Jan 7, 2016

I'd also consider putting the garage door, alarm and cctv power on mcbs if the installation methods allow. I remember doing a job when I was an apprentice, the guy had an old merlin gerin board with about 20 circuits and we changed all of his to rcbos, I bet it cost an arm and a leg.

shanky887614 · Jan 7, 2016

hightower said:
Ha, how big is your supply?! That's a total of 334A. Add some diversity to those circuits as per OSG guidelines, and you'd still be looking at the 200A mark (I think anyway, I could have it totally wrong!)

hightower said:
And use what in its place though? Surely there is a way to calculating these things or is it merely guess work a lot of the time?

absolute ******** rip that page out of the osg.

not all lights will be on at once, 4 bed house will probably have less than 10 rooms at 100w per room thats 1kw or under 5amp if everything is on maxed.

for example I've swapped a board at my gran parents and because they have gas cooker,hob etc there usage is 5a.

shanky887614 · Jan 7, 2016

tomspark93 said:
I'd also consider putting the garage door, alarm and cctv power on mcbs if the installation methods allow. I remember doing a job when I was an apprentice, the guy had an old merlin gerin board with about 20 circuits and we changed all of his to rcbos, I bet it cost an arm and a leg.

would have the new schneider mcb's are £15 each.

£40+ a pop im guessing for the rcbo's now

NDG Elecs · Jan 7, 2016

uksparks said:
It is very well split down, I cannot think who installed it without looking on the CU label.

The house is 14 years old, so not ancient, I would say it is well thought out.

The things I have added since moving in 16 months ago are these circuits:

LEFT BANK OF RCBO'S
-------------------------
6 CCTV Power
16 Dedicated Circuit for Compressor
16 Immersion Heater
20 Solar Panels
32 Garage Ring Circuit
6 Front Pillar Lights, side and rear
10 Garage Roller Shutters

yes I agree, its totally overkill filling a board up with RCBO's, and nothing has ever tripped, but as I have just bought the house and plan to stay there for 20+ years, I would like to replace it with something good and as separated as much as possible just so I know a fault on lights outside cannot trip my fridge etc..

Its not just that, but I don't know about you but I get off on going over the top like this, its my house and I want it to be bling! Just think, the next person or spark that looks at it should be suitably impressed!

I must admit I went to a small bungalow a while back and they had a merlin gerin all RCBO board installed which was nice to see for a change. I asked who installed it and it was their son who is an industrial spark. Lovely job inside it, but the son could not provide bits of paper to satisfy building control hence the call to me.

shanky887614 · Jan 7, 2016

TheGayOwl said:
I must admit I went to a small bungalow a while back and they had a merlin gerin all RCBO board installed which was nice to see for a change. I asked who installed it and it was their son who is an industrial spark. Lovely job inside it, but the son could not provide bits of paper to satisfy building control hence the call to me.

probably more like not registered with a scam.

its nice to see these as well

NDG Elecs · Jan 8, 2016

shanky887614 said:
probably more like not registered with a scam.

its nice to see these as well

Yep, he wasn't registered, BC wanted a EICR for the tiny loft conversion they did. Certainly beats see Proteus board!

slingshot2000 · Jan 8, 2016

shanky887614 said:
would have the new schneider mcb's are £15 each.

£40+ a pop im guessing for the rcbo's now

I don't know where you are buying Schider mcbs from, but I pay a lot less than2 quid each for them !

shanky887614 · Jan 8, 2016

slingshot2000 said:
I don't know where you are buying Schider mcbs from, but I pay a lot less than2 quid each for them !

acti9 mate there expensive without an account (i havent bought any thats google)

ic60h for example

uksparks · Jan 14, 2016

Hi,

Just thought id update you, I made a start on changing my board today.

All ok, no problems, Ill be honest, ive not finished testing it off as it took quite a while to get it all on the wall and work out what was what as it was all labelled incorrectly.

Ive still got 3 new circuits to connect, but this is it so far, ill finish it off tomorrow.

Before anyone says it, yes I know the perspex door does not comply with AMD3, I have spoken to Hager and they are shortly releasing a solid steel door that I can buy to fit it that will then comply, so as soon as its available ill swap it.

All in all when its finished, ill be using 22 of the 24 ways. I have not yet labelled it, ill do this tomorrow.

So its gone from this:

To this:

I have still got to tidy it all up, seal the hole at the back with intumescent block. There is a double pole isolator in front of this board if you were wondering as the neutral is not switched at the board. I also have a Hager Volt meter to go in the front of it next to the main switch, and a couple of contactors and buzzers etc so alert me should the power fail to a couple of the circuits.

It is split down as follows:

1: SPARE
2: SPARE
3: Garage Emergency Lights (Above CU)
4. Ensuite's, Master Bedroom, Rear Large Bedroom Lights
5. Security Alarm
6. Smoke, Heat & CO Detectors
7. Landing, Bathroom, Rear Small bedroom, Front Small Bedroom Lights
8. Immersion Heater
9. Garage Sockets
10. Solar Panel Inverter
11. Upstairs Sockets
12. HOB
13. SPARE
14. Computer Socket
15. CCTV
16. Front Pillar Lights
17. Garage Lights
18.Porch, Hall, Downstairs Toilet, Dining Room & Office Lights
19. Kitchen, Utility, Side & Rear Lights
20. Garage Roller Shutters
21. Kitchen & Utility Worktop Sockets
22. Office, Lounge, Hall, Dining Room & Conservatory Sockets
23. Kitchen & Utility Appliances & Boiler
24. Oven

Simlec · Jan 14, 2016

I think you need to put circuit 3 and 17 together don't you!
why don't you put 5 & 6 together ?

uksparks · Jan 14, 2016

Simlec said:
I think you need to put circuit 3 and 17 together don't you!
why don't you put 5 & 6 together ?

I have another emergency light hooked off that already on the garage light, the other one was if it all goes off.

I would rather keep everything separated, so 5 & 6 are not going to me put together.

uksparks · Jan 14, 2016

Stupidly I ordered the 4 pole incommer kit instead of the 4 pole which switches the neutral, but am refusing to pay another £65 for it now, there is no point.

Leesparkykent · Jan 14, 2016

Looks good Tom. One thing though, I would of put the rcbo's earth reference leads to the corresponding terminals.

Simlec · Jan 14, 2016

uksparks said:
I have another emergency light hooked off that already on the garage light, the other one was if it all goes off.

I would rather keep everything separated, so 5 & 6 are not going to me put together.

? What's the point of the EM light above DB if all goes off? You cant do anything if you have no power.

uksparks · Jan 14, 2016

Simlec said:
? What's the point of the EM light above DB if all goes off? You cant do anything if you have no power.

true, but it was more so that I can see the board if I really need to. I've got a few EM lights spare that I didn't pay for so I might as well use them.

uksparks · Jan 14, 2016

Leesparkykent said:
Looks good Tom. One thing though, I would of put the rcbo's earth reference leads to the corresponding terminals.

Well, I did contemplate that, I suppose I still could, I suppose it would make removal 10x easier... I just bunched them to keep them out the way to be honest.

im unlikely to ever remove them or do anything with them now so it won't hurt, but yes, it's a valid point.

uksparks · Jan 14, 2016

Just to add to that, these are 6kA RCBOs so the earth leads are quite short and would all have to be extended.

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