Consumer unit Help

[Welshsparky]

Hi all,

Im an electrician with two years experience, I was left on a job today to fit tails and 16mm earth from the meter to a consumer unit, The consumer unit was a 5 way board with an RCD, The circuits on the board were 2 small lighting circuits ( each supplying 2 or 3 lights), a ring main, a cooker and shower circuit, I was told i had to fit 25 mm tails to the board,The board was really small and it seemed such a struggle to get the tails in, Did i have to use 25mm tails or could i have used 16mm?

 

[jase]

OSG pge 17

 

[ezzzekiel]

Hi all,

Im an electrician with two years experience

and you dont know this because

 

[Welshsparky]

Im an apprentice, hence 2 years experience, If i was qaulified id have 3 to 4 years experience, I asked a question , i didnt ask for you to try and make me look stupid

 

[mnmwill]

If you look at pg 17 of the OSG under 2.2.3 Meter Tails it tells you there that the minimum cable size should be 25mm.

 

[mnmwill]

and you dont know this because

Whats the point m8, he's only asking a question

 

[cbw]

I think a couple of us are just frustrated at 'electricians' asking how to wire a bloomin light or put a 32 A breaker on a 6mm T+E, undercutting for CU changes and whinning when it all goes wrong etc......

Seems like an influx of 'basic' questions that anyone with 5 mins experience should know or know how to find the answer......

 

[mnmwill]

How do you wire a light??

I see your point m8, the op shoulda been clearer and said 'trainee electrician', just thought it was a tad harsh

 

[Welshsparky]

I thought this was the case but i was told by another electrician because it was a small boardthat 16mm tails could be used,Thats what caused the confusion,Thanks for your help

 

[cbw]

This is a great forum and an excellent source of information, I am sure Mr WelshSparky you will ask many more questions and learn a great deal!!!!

You never stop learning and I am very sure if we dig back I have asked some corkers!!!!

But at least I know the difference between 5cm and 50mm.................

 

[blackiel]

I thought this was the case but i was told by another electrician because it was a small boardthat 16mm tails could be used,Thats what caused the confusion,Thanks for your help

At least youre questioning things,Welshboy and not just taking what someones told you for granted,Fires can start because of that,think some on here have forgotten they were young and not Born gifted with this knowledge.

Dont get put off, Question Everything, helps you sleep at night.

Be lucky.....

 

[ezzzekiel]

apologise if i seemed a tad harsh but you did say you were an "experienced electrician" there are far too many calling themselves electricians and then asking very basic questions.
everyone asks advise now and then when they come accross something they not sure on but tail sizing is basic stuff, as you are actually a trainee then i am in the wrong for my off cuff remark.

Osg states 25mm tail sizing, however this is rated at a 100a service fuse, if the fuse was 60/80 then 16mm would suffice (remember the fuse rating/ cable sizing procedures) although most sparks uprate to 25mm anyways.