Consumer unit

[Scorpion90]

hi guys i m bit confused.. can i use consume unit with one rcd in a 2 bed room flat l as there are 5 circuits... ??

 

[Octopus]

No.....

 

[jaydee81]

no dual rcd or even better main switch unit with rcbos

 

[yellowvanman]

Why not just put the lights on their own RCBO and the rest share an RCD.

 

[pencilpusher]

You asked something strangely similar last night!

http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...593-consume-unit-changing-nic.html#post719123

 

[Octopus]

You asked something strangely similar last night!

I was thinking that too, and if its for your NIC assessment it would NOT be a good idea.

Why is it that so many muppets don't know the regs??

 

[Scorpion90]

ok guys will do it thank u very much...

 

[Fin170]

Why not just put the lights on their own RCBO and the rest share an RCD.

Objection!

Sockets on RCBO and everything else on RCD :lol:

So you have power and light if either trips (assuming cooker has a socket point and you own at least one plug in lamp). Obviously more RCBOs the better

OR

As it's a flat, some of the circuits may be pyro, therefore not needing RCD protection

 

[imago]

no dual rcd or even better main switch unit with rcbos

Five circuits, five RCBOs, as it's for an assessment. The caveat being you will need to ba able to explain why you've done it that way, and what the benefits are.

 

[paul_h]

For only five circuits I'd agree with imago above n put in 5 rcbo's. far better job IMO

 

[yellowvanman]

Objection!

Why?

My thinking is that lights don't normally trip as much as sockets/appliances and if they did trip you've still got some possible light from plug-in light fittings.

 

[Fin170]

My thinking is that lights don't normally trip as much as sockets/appliances and if they did trip you've still got some possible light from plug-in light fittings.

Depends what's on the light circuit, if it's full of 12 volt downlights than I'd say it's going to trip regularly in the future


I tend to think of minimising inconvenience if there is a fault and you have to wait a while

If you've just lost sockets, you've still got your lights, cooker (maybe with socket) and shower and can continue your day with relative ease. If visa versa, you can continue relatively easily with just sockets

Just having lights working and loosing everything else is a bit more of an inconvenience in my eyes.

However you can probably squeeze another £20 out and put sockets and lights on RCBOs and RCD the rest

Tin hat on, I don't think the cost of RCBOing the cooker, shower and doorbell circuit is worth the extra £60+ for the sake of having to wash in the sink and ordering a curry for the night :lol: I'll ask every time as no question all RCBOs is better but I know money (and work for me) is tight at the moment

Edit: I also try to run my fire alarms, boiler supply etc so they do not require RCD protection