Cheeky Request - North East

[hightower]

I'm wanting to build a little test board - little consumer unit, rfc, maybe a radial with an fcu, couple lighting battens/switches - so I can practice testing at home. Now, I've had a look and the cheapest consumer unit I can find is around £30 for a 4 module enclosure. I've seen an MK sentry 6-way for ~£45 which would be the perfect size for this little project, but before parting with my cash I wondered whether anyone might have an old plastic consumer unit lying around that they could donate to a good cause? You might have something that's been long lying in your garage, perhaps something that you've taken out of an old install, and has no chance of ever being used again, but is in good enough working order for me to utilise?

So, the cheeky request is, if you're in the north east (Durham/Gateshead area) and can help me out, I'm willing to come and collect.

 

[LankyWill]

i got a ten way hager plastic one- new £30 and its yours

 

[hightower]

i got a ten way hager plastic one- new £30 and its yours

Thanks mate, Bristol being so far and that though, I'll give it a miss.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Ill have a dig through the stores for a board and a few other bits you can have if you like. Shouldn't cost much to send.

 

[hightower]

Ill have a dig through the stores for a board and a few other bits you can have if you like. Shouldn't cost much to send.

Cheers Lee - would really appreciate that. Let me know what the postage is and I'll cover it through paypal or transfer.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Cheers Lee - would really appreciate that. Let me know what the postage is and I'll cover it through paypal or transfer.

No bother. Ill be in the office in the morn so ill have a look through and let you know.

 

[ian.settle1]

i got a ten way hager plastic one- new £30 and its yours

Shouldn't it be a metal one to comply with the current regs LOL :smilielol5:

 

[ruston]

If you don't get sorted with Lee , let me know . I have a grotty old board I kept with RCD and MCB's .
When I say 'grotty' it was in a chippy, it will clean up.
I kept it for the breakers because the were an uncommon make. (forget which)
I also have a load of brand new GET breakers from about 15 years ago.( supplied free and not used)

 

[Andy78]

Ive got a little plastic 4 way I could fill with mcbs and a switch if you want, just pay me the postage costs.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Would an old 3036 board not do? Or are you wanting to put RCDs in also? I will be ripping out a 6 way 3036 when back from hols in a couple of weeks which you are more than welcome to mate.

 

[Paul.M]

Great support Gents.... Love it

 

[hightower]

Aye, overwhelming support you bunch of legends. I'll wait and see what Lee comes back with first and then take it from there. Thanks for all the offers though, very appreciative

 

[hightower]

Would an old 3036 board not do? Or are you wanting to put RCDs in also? I will be ripping out a 6 way 3036 when back from hols in a couple of weeks which you are more than welcome to mate.

I took out an old 3036 when I did my first consumer unit at the weekend (under supervision) - I could have had that but thought it might be best to get used to testing on something a little more up to date. It had some of these - what BS number are they? (BS 3871 when I've done a quick search) Didn't think to keep them for a bit play about with.

Ive got a little plastic 4 way I could fill with mcbs and a switch if you want, just pay me the postage costs.

I'll take you up on that if Lee hasn't got anything - sounds ideal

 

[ruston]

Bs3871.

 

[ruston]

Just as a point of information for you.
You can get those in BS 60898. if you ever have cause to replace one

.http://www.screwfix.com/p/wylex-32a-sp-type-b-curve-mcb/87979

 

[PEG]

A good request,with some good natured feed-back:sunny:

Once you get "comfy" with your layout,start building up a supply of old cable and accessories. Skip dive for em' if you have to.

Also,cadge the "faulty" components,from your jobs,so you can confirm their fault,and introduce them to your test board,thus familiarising yourself,with the results that arise from such situations.

This was bread and butter stuff,when i was in my early teens,with "torture" being applied,to both wiring and accessories,using water,blowlamps,acid,etc,to see what effect these had on standard testing results.

Interesting results can be found,such as how some intentional damage,instigates operation of the OCPD,when you would put money on the RCD letting go first. These "larking about" sessions,albeit with live supply,can teach you one of the most important parts,of the testing job.

That is,in my view,to NEVER assume anything...regardless of common issues,other sparks opinions and results,and especially,a customers explanation of what has or has not ,occurred.

Good luck,Hightower,and safety accepted...have some fun! :lips2:

 

[pennychew]

Ive got a lovely old crabtree metal 16th edition board that i did my test rig in the shed with, i'll chuck in a few offcuts of SY, YY and some 3c and 5c armoured you can have mate, got a couple of used but working contactors there if you want a play with them as well

I'm only in Newcastle but I'm up and down the A1 a couple of times a week so a meet up on the way past wouldn't be a problem, this is the board..

 

[hightower]

Ive got a lovely old crabtree metal 16th edition board that i did my test rig in the shed with, i'll chuck in a few offcuts of SY, YY and some 3c and 5c armoured you can have mate, got a couple of used but working contactors there if you want a play with them as well

I'm only in Newcastle but I'm up and down the A1 a couple of times a week so a meet up on the way past wouldn't be a problem, this is the board..
View attachment 31862

That's awesome mate - Lee, is it okay if I take penny chew up on this offer? Just would save you having to post etc.

 

[pennychew]

That's awesome mate - Lee, is it okay if I take penny chew up on this offer? Just would save you having to post etc.

Ive just bumped my test rig thread in the trainee forum for you mate

 

[markc123]

Glad you've received a positive outcome from this thread. I also have old odd's and ends, including boards (I'm glad I'm not the only one that keeps old crap that really should go in the bin)

I've got to the party too late, you could of definitely had some of my gear but you've had some fantastic offers above which i can't beat.

All the best. Mark.

 

[ruston]

Ive got a lovely old crabtree metal 16th edition board that i did my test rig in the shed with, i'll chuck in a few offcuts of SY, YY and some 3c and 5c armoured you can have mate, got a couple of used but working contactors there if you want a play with them as well

I'm only in Newcastle but I'm up and down the A1 a couple of times a week so a meet up on the way past wouldn't be a problem, this is the board..
View attachment 31862

This thread restores the faith . Well done.

PS. Drop the TIG off when you are up this end.

 

[pennychew]

This thread restores the faith . Well done.

PS. Drop the TIG off when you are up this end.

My ma's getting married in Morpeth today, I'll chuck in the back of the wedding car [emoji1]

 

[ruston]

My ma's getting married in Morpeth today, I'll chuck in the back of the wedding car [emoji1]

I'm going there now , I will wait for you.

I hope you have a nice day.:smiley2:

 

[pennychew]

Thanks mate, sure we will

 

[Jay Sparks]

@ OP, when you build your test rig, try and put some resisters on the circuits, or coils of cable. This can be concealed at the back of the board/rig and will give you more realistic results. This will then allow you to null your leads and still get a reading. Alternatively, if you have a garage and you feel confident enough, or have the help of an electrician, you could do a small install in there and test at your pleasure. I think adding the faulty accessories is a good idea because as others have said, some faults will baffle you by doing a totally different thing than you would expect.

I had a fault on a rewire I did a few years back. When the outside light was switch OFF! the RCD would trip and not reset. but it was fine when the light was on. Turns out to be the little tiny L2 screw in the switch plate had come loose and made contact with the back box lug at the bottom. Now this was my fault because I didn't flick the switch during the IR test but it baffled me for a few minutes.

 

[PEG]

My ma's getting married in Morpeth today, I'll chuck in the back of the wedding car [emoji1]

I have an old college associate used to live there,surname Ostle...who knows...we might all be family:yesnod: