Adding new circuits to all insulated consumer units

[Sparky5473]

hi guys, Is it still ok to add a new circuit to an all insulated consumer unit in a domestic dwelling. I only ask as my previous employer always changed consumer units for metal when adding a circuit. I know this is probably a stupid question.

Thanks for replies

 

[westward10]

Providing there are no issues with it which may affect the installations safety then yes.

 

[Octopus]

If under a staircase I would recommend AMD3 boards

 

[ipf]

Yes, of course it is. Not a stupid question because I'm sure plenty others 'aren't sure'.....although, I don't know why. Basically, why should a consumer have to go to the expense of shelling out for a new cu as well as a new circuit. The existing cu has, presumably, been installed to the regulation edition applicable, at the time. With necessary testing prior to work...no problem, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Pete999]

Well of course your employer would change the CU cuz he is a con man, as Westward has already stated, no big deal if everything else is OK.

 

[Pete999]

If under a staircase I would recommend AMD3 boards

So would I if a new CU WAS REQUIRED. But I wouldn't change the CU just because a new circuit has been added providing it complied with the regulations when it was installed.

 

[Octopus]

If under a staircase I would recommend AMD3 boards

Pete999 - I said recommend - not insist!

 

[ipf]

If under a staircase I would recommend AMD3 boards

Now that depends on the state of the existing board...…..and the capability of the 'person' installing the new circuit.

 

[Pete999]

I

Pete999 - I said recommend - not insist!

OK point taken, but in contex with the OP it looked like you were saying "a new circuit required a new CU, a misunderstanding I think, no offence meant.

 

[loplug]

I agree that I would recommend replacement to Amd3 board if under a wooden stair case or in the only escape route unless it is other wise protected to prevent the spread of fire. other wise if it is in good condition and no other issues leave it as is

 

[Sparky5473]

Thanks guys, it’s a fairly recent MK sentry dual RCD board, all complete and intact, not on only means of escape and not under stairs. I was pretty sure was ok to add a circuit but wanted to make sure

 

[Ian1981]

My opinion is that the location of the DB is irrelevant regarding if plastic.
Guidance apparently is under wooden stairs and the sole means of escape is coded but I don’t see the relevance in regard to the regulation which states what the DB must be(non combustible etc) and the location it’s in.

 

[ipf]

I agree that I would recommend replacement to Amd3 board if under a wooden stair case or in the only escape route unless it is other wise protected to prevent the spread of fire. other wise if it is in good condition and no other issues leave it as is

If the installation is sound, your reasoning isn't. The Amd 3 regarding metal consumer units only came about because of a degradation in the standard of installers.
Note. I call them installers rather than fully qualified electricians.

 

[loplug]

If the installation is sound, your reasoning isn't. The Amd 3 regarding metal consumer units only came about because of a degradation in the standard of installers.
Note. I call them installers rather than fully qualified electricians.

My reasoning is that that is what guidance tells us to do.

 

[Phil Thompson]

If the installation is sound, your reasoning isn't. The Amd 3 regarding metal consumer units only came about because of a degradation in the standard of installers.
Note. I call them installers rather than fully qualified electricians.

Defo agree on the installers thing.

Saw a spark trading as his and his business partners initials Electrical Solutions

He was tagged on a post on Facebook of a woman looking someone to check her phone line, he said he can’t do phones and data. And last week he posted on the same mums group looking for someone to do a network.

The 2 boys are 24 and 28 iirc
I’d a customer back in September who had approached 3 different sparks to do 3 phase work at an industrial estate he had bought and was looking to increase number of units. All said they don’t do 3 phase work.

Sadly it seems to be very common for guys only knowing basic domestic.

 

[westward10]

My opinion is that the location of the DB is irrelevant regarding if plastic.
Guidance apparently is under wooden stairs and the sole means of escape is coded but I don’t see the relevance in regard to the regulation which states what the DB must be(non combustible etc) and the location it’s in.

Which guidance would this be.

 

[westward10]

My opinion is that the location of the DB is irrelevant regarding if plastic.
Guidance apparently is under wooden stairs and the sole means of escape is coded but I don’t see the relevance in regard to the regulation which states what the DB must be(non combustible etc) and the location it’s in.

Which guidance would this be.

My reasoning is that that is what guidance tells us to do.

Which guidance would this be.

 

[loplug]

Which guidance would this be.

electrical safety first best practice guide

 

[Pete999]

Defo agree on the installers thing.

Saw a spark trading as his and his business partners initials Electrical Solutions

He was tagged on a post on Facebook of a woman looking someone to check her phone line, he said he can’t do phones and data. And last week he posted on the same mums group looking for someone to do a network.

The 2 boys are 24 and 28 iirc
I’d a customer back in September who had approached 3 different sparks to do 3 phase work at an industrial estate he had bought and was looking to increase number of units. All said they don’t do 3 phase work.

Sadly it seems to be very common for guys only knowing basic domestic.

Thats because it's ll they teach on the quick fit sparky courses

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

assuming the new board and old board are the same make/ compatible sizes then you could just move the protective devices and main switch over into the new metal enclosure. saves a bit of money and not too difficult as you are simply swapping a plastic for metal enclosure and not altering any circuits.