Extending tails on old consumer units.

[LesF]

Any experiences of this most welcome!

I have to replace an old consumer unit (Hager) fitted with single pole MCBs with twin pole (Live and Neutral) MCBs. This is where the main feed enters the property and the main company 300mA RCB is fitted.

Currently all the neutral tails from the house and out buildings terminate on a massive connector strip at the bottom of the box, so they are too short to reach the three bus bars in the box.

Also to install localised RCBs on this three phase domestic French installation, ideally as three separate 30 mA RCBs (one per bus bar) so one tripping out does not shut the whole place down. This is my own home and yes its three phase and none of the phases are now adjacent in sockets in any room or space.

Its not possible to replace the cables as most are laid into the concrete floors in very narrow conduits and impossible to pull. However, they are not that old and the PVC coverings are still sound and they Mega test OK.

What is the preferred/specified method to extend these incoming tails to lengthen them to reach their MCBS?

Ken

 

[cornishboy]

crimp connectors with the correct compression tool if u wanna be even better bit of heat shrink over after it then hot air gun or why not use wagos they are rated for 24/36 amps

 

[Brightspark2]

Din rail connectors and enclosure?....

 

[Richard Burns]

Use termination blocks?
View attachment 20486

 

[LesF]

crimp connectors with the correct compression tool if u wanna be even better bit of heat shrink over after it then hot air gun or why not use wagos they are rated for 24/36 amps

Never seen wagos before, useful to know about - quick I guess. The crimp would be good for some of the control cables (light telerupters and such). Thanks for taking the time to reply. Never sure if there is some hidden regulation or some such these days.

Many thanks

Ken

 

[LesF]

The rail connector block would be the most robust I think. Bit more fiddly though. Again thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[LesF]

These look good, like the Wago blocks but screw down. Suggestion much appreciated. have enough to try out now, thanks everyone.

 

[nickblake]

Adaptable box din rail and clip on wago connectors job done, I did have a picture of one I did cant seam to find it , its on the forum some where

 

[Engineer54]

Nothing to do with your query, but are you a registered electrician in France?? I ask, because most installs and alterations made by UK electricians tend to get ripped out, because they don't comply with the NFC 15-100 etc....

So be warned!! Check out the Non UK Electrical Works on the main forum index list. There are a few French based questions and answers on that forum and will give you an idea of what you can and can't do and why!! lol!!