Multiple CUs for no apparent reason

[kingeri]

Working on a job this week, new sockets and re-routing cables through joists in cellar in preparation for cellar conversion. Wiring generally good, but for some reason there are three CUs in a row, all fed from one Henley block. Can't see why it was done really, there are 11 circuits in total, no particularly massive loads. Good thing about it is there are a total of 4 RCDs and the circuits are well split between them. There are also 11 spare ways all together - plenty of room for future expansion! Anybody see this often?

I know there's nothing inherently wrong with this arrangement - just wondering if anybody can see any issues with it. I was thinking that the installation has no single point of isolation - although there is an isolator built in to the Siemens meter, but the punter couldn't use this as it's behind a cover and a seal.

 

[telectrix]

you could always bung in an isolator between the meter and the henleys.

 

[kingeri]

Yeah I think I will. You can't see any other issue with the setup though?

 

[Guest55]

* standard default forum response *

i dont like the look of it , best rip it out and replace with another CU at the customers expense.............

oh , er , hang on..........

 

[kingeri]

* standard default forum response *

i dont like the look of it , best rip it out and replace with another CU at the customers expense.............

oh , er , hang on..........

Hehe thanks for that biff. I certainly wouldn't be doing that, indeed I like having so much flexibility and so many options as to where to put my new circuit. Seriously though, being the font of knowledge that you are, you can't see any obvious issue that I've missed?

 

[telectrix]

as long as all circuits have correct OCPDs, and RCDs are fitted where required, earthing and bonding are all OK, i see no problem with that layout.

 

[Guest55]

Hehe thanks for that biff. I certainly wouldn't be doing that, indeed I like having so much flexibility and so many options as to where to put my new circuit. Seriously though, being the font of knowledge that you are, you can't see any obvious issue that I've missed?

none.
;-)

 

[Guest55]

and to consider things further ,
are you sure theres no reason for installing multiple CU's ?
i can think of many scenarios where it could be an advantage
eg :- space saving , flexibiity , circuit segregation or even just getting a bargin at the wholesalers.

 

[kingeri]

and to consider things further ,
are you sure theres no reason for installing multiple CU's ?
i can think of many scenarios where it could be an advantage
eg :- space saving , flexibiity , circuit segregation or even just getting a bargin at the wholesalers.

The way I see it, its just like having a massive split load DB with 4 RCDs, a step closer to having an all-RCBO install. Certainly I'll leave things pretty much as they are. Gonna move a couple of circuits around to make the split more logical though.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

The only thing, like you say, is the single point of isolation.
Not a particularly big issue, as the CUs are next to each other and it's no big deal to switch them off.

 

[Engineer54]

At least the CU's aren't scattered all around the house!! lol!!

 

[kingeri]

At least the CU's aren't scattered all around the house!! lol!!

How true, although if they were submains then I could at least understand why they were all there!

 

[Engineer54]

How true, although if they were submains then I could at least understand why they were all there!

Unless it was an extremely large house, i couldn't!! lol!!

 

[Knobhead]

* standard default forum response *

i dont like the look of it , best rip it out and replace with another CU at the customers expense.............

oh , er , hang on..........

You obviously have a very good grasp of the Electrical Trainee book of regulations and it's amendments.