My Consumer Unit

[uksparks]

Hi,

I thought Id just share what Im doing with everyone.

At present I have a 16th Edition Hager board, its full, its got 18 circuits in it, and a couple doubled up.

I purchased a plastic one 12 months ago to take 20 ways, and was just looking at changing it next week for the plastic one and back dating it.

But having 20 RCBO's in it, its going to be a pain in the --- to get it done and neat and not crammed in...

So....

I am going to order a Hager Invicta 3 8 way board so I can get 24 single phase ways in it, also leaves me loads of space and will not bling on the wall in the garage.

It will also leave a lot of space so that I can fit a surge protector at a later day, just need to by a single phase conversion kit and an incomer but it will look a million times better on the wall and 10 times easier to terminate everything.

The only thing that ill have to do is lengthen a load of the circuits, not all, but a chunk of them, and also extend the 25mm meter tails, I have to admit, im not a big fan of extending tails as I don't like a joint in them, but it will be impossible for me to draw new tails in as they go up the cavity and across and its a non starter. I think if I just double heat wrap them and crimp them well it should be fine.

Anyway, the Invicta board, at least it complies with Amd3.

Ill post photos up when I do it.

Its costing me quite a bit as ill need 20 RCBO's and the board, and kit etc, £650 in total!!

 

[uksparks]

What surprises me here is UKsparks has no idea of the actual requirements of Am3 domestic CU's.
How long has this been coming??

To say I have no idea is taking it a bit far, I just didn't realise the kid was meant to be metal too, is all very new to everyone and not looked in to it a great deal.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Hi,

I thought Id just share what Im doing with everyone.

At present I have a 16th Edition Hager board, its full, its got 18 circuits in it, and a couple doubled up.

I purchased a plastic one 12 months ago to take 20 ways, and was just looking at changing it next week for the plastic one and back dating it.

But having 20 RCBO's in it, its going to be a pain in the --- to get it done and neat and not crammed in...

So....

I am going to order a Hager Invicta 3 8 way board so I can get 24 single phase ways in it, also leaves me loads of space and will not bling on the wall in the garage.

It will also leave a lot of space so that I can fit a surge protector at a later day, just need to by a single phase conversion kit and an incomer but it will look a million times better on the wall and 10 times easier to terminate everything.

The only thing that ill have to do is lengthen a load of the circuits, not all, but a chunk of them, and also extend the 25mm meter tails, I have to admit, im not a big fan of extending tails as I don't like a joint in them, but it will be impossible for me to draw new tails in as they go up the cavity and across and its a non starter. I think if I just double heat wrap them and crimp them well it should be fine.

Anyway, the Invicta board, at least it complies with Amd3.

Ill post photos up when I do it.

Its costing me quite a bit as ill need 20 RCBO's and the board, and kit etc, £650 in total!!

How big is your house UK ................:wink_smile:

 

[DPG]

I was wondering that myself - 18 ways and some are doubled up!!! You living in a palace or something?? Daz

 

[Spoon]

maybe every socket and light has its own breaker....?

 

[malcolmsanford]

I have worked in factory units that don't have that many circuits...........an EICR on that would be commerical rates

 

[Andy78]

I wonder what he is charging himself for the board swap ? I wouldn't give myself any favours on a job like that even though I'm family.

 

[Spoon]

I wonder what he is charging himself for the board swap ?

If he doesn't pay then does he take himself to court or just beat himself up???

 

[Andy78]

If he doesn't pay then does he take himself to court or just beat himself up???

He could refuse to issue the cert until payment is received, but then I'm not sure he'd care that much as he knows he is going to falsify information anyway.

 

[uksparks]

Its a good sized 4 bed detached property, these are the circuits below. It is just very well split down thats all.

LEFT BANK OF RCBO'S
-------------------------
6 Security Alarm
6 Smoke Alarms
6 CCTV Power
6 Lighting Upstairs
16 Dedicated Circuit for Compressor
16 Immersion Heater
20 Solar Panels
32 Garage Ring Circuit (Double with 10 doubles)
32 Sockets
32 HOB

RIGHT BANK OF RCBO'S
--------------------------
6 Front Pillar Lights, side and rear
6 Lighting Upstairs FAR
6 Lighting Downstairs FAR
6 Lighting Kitchen & Utility
10 Garage Roller Shutters
32 Sockets
32 Sockets
32 Kitchen Appliances
32 Cooker

 

[telectrix]

looking at the above, it looks to me like an installation where a good install has taken precedence over cost. good on yer.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Essentially I think that all RCBOs in a house is overkill if ccts are all healthy. The two RCDs in my house have never tripped except when tested or when I have touched N-CPC when replacing something, and some of the wiring has gotta be 40+yrs old. I can see the use of them in commercial/industrial settings where groups of circuits going down would not be cool. But good luck to you mate, if you have the time and inclination, fair play.

 

[Midwest]

Its a good sized 4 bed detached property, these are the circuits below. It is just very well split down thats all.

LEFT BANK OF RCBO'S
-------------------------
6 Security Alarm
6 Smoke Alarms
6 CCTV Power
6 Lighting Upstairs
16 Dedicated Circuit for Compressor
16 Immersion Heater
20 Solar Panels
32 Garage Ring Circuit (Double with 10 doubles)
32 Sockets
32 HOB

RIGHT BANK OF RCBO'S
--------------------------
6 Front Pillar Lights, side and rear
6 Lighting Upstairs FAR
6 Lighting Downstairs FAR
6 Lighting Kitchen & Utility
10 Garage Roller Shutters
32 Sockets
32 Sockets
32 Kitchen Appliances
32 Cooker

Have you left room for your cinema room, sauna & of course hot tub.

 

[Spoon]

Have you left room for your cinema room, sauna & of course hot tub.

That's why everyone is becoming an electrician. Go on a course for 2 weeks and then you can also have a wage to afford a house like this....

 

[telectrix]

That's why everyone is becoming an electrician. Go on a course for 2 weeks and then you can also have a wage to afford a house like this....

meeeeiowww.

 

[R G]

Essentially I think that all RCBOs in a house is overkill if ccts are all healthy. The two RCDs in my house have never tripped except when tested or when I have touched N-CPC when replacing something, and some of the wiring has gotta be 40+yrs old. I can see the use of them in commercial/industrial settings where groups of circuits going down would not be cool. But good luck to you mate, if you have the time and inclination, fair play.

If there were elderly people in the house I would always look at the installation and make a judgement based on how they would know what todo if an RCD tripped and especially if a stairlift is involved , each case merits its own judgement based upon the installation and the occupier...

I have been called out many times to reset an RCD covering several circuits with elderly involved , an RCBO means one circuit is out only...

 

[hightower]

Ha, how big is your supply?! That's a total of 334A. Add some diversity to those circuits as per OSG guidelines, and you'd still be looking at the 200A mark (I think anyway, I could have it totally wrong!)

 

[andyb]

Ha, how big is your supply?! That's a total of 334A. Add some diversity to those circuits as per OSG guidelines, and you'd still be looking at the 200A mark (I think anyway, I could have it totally wrong!)

Which is why you should rip out the on site guide chapters on maximum demand and diversity.

 

[hightower]

Which is why you should rip out the on site guide chapters on maximum demand and diversity.

And use what in its place though? Surely there is a way to calculating these things or is it merely guess work a lot of the time?

 

[DPG]

Splitting circuits across loads of breakers does not increase maximum demand. Daz

 

[Spoon]

I read on this forum that the diversity chart was done ages ago when you had a house with 4 circuits: power, lights and cooker, shower. You can understand if you chop up the house into more circuits then you would not be using hardly anywhere near the breaker size. EG. Power circuit for our house, up-stairs, is on a 32A breaker. There are just 2 computers plugged in and that's it.

 

[andyb]

And use what in its place though? Surely there is a way to calculating these things or is it merely guess work a lot of the time?

Common sense.

I've never seen the point of it other than the odd circuit. Cookers or maybe if I'm installing several heaters.

You've obviously used it to calculate Sparks max demand. What do you get if he had exactly the same amount of sockets and lights but only had 2 final rings for the sockets and 2 lighting circuits?

 

[hightower]

Common sense.

I've never seen the point of it other than the odd circuit. Cookers or maybe if I'm installing several heaters.

You've obviously used it to calculate Sparks max demand. What do you get if he had exactly the same amount of sockets and lights but only had 2 final rings for the sockets and 2 lighting circuits?

A lot less according to the tables in the OSG. I understand that splitting the circuits isn't realistically gonna increase the maximum demand, but technically it could surely?

 

[Spoon]

........but technically it could surely?

Technically a lot could happen mate. Technically I could buy 30 3kw heaters and plug them into my sockets. Technically I could wipe out the diversity table by plugging in all sorts of stuff.... As andb says, you have to use some common sense.

 

[hightower]

Technically a lot could happen mate. Technically I could buy 30 3kw heaters and plug them into my sockets. Technically I could wipe out the diversity table buy plugging in all sorts of stuff.... As andb says, you have to use some common sense.

Fair cop mate :smile5:

 

[andyb]

A lot less according to the tables in the OSG. I understand that splitting the circuits isn't realistically gonna increase the maximum demand, but technically it could surely?

I don't see how. The occupier will not be aware of the installation design.

Hard to know what to say Hightower, you are a trainee so I assume that you will be sitting exams where you will be asked questions on max demand and diversity. You can only answer with regard to 7671 and the onsite guide.

 

[Spoon]

Fair cop mate :smile5:

We all understand where you are coming from though. It's always best to have something you can work with, so if anyone questions it you can show them, rather than just say "common sense". Problem is, there are loads of people out there that don't have any at all.....

 

[NDG Elecs]

If there were elderly people in the house I would always look at the installation and make a judgement based on how they would know what todo if an RCD tripped and especially if a stairlift is involved , each case merits its own judgement based upon the installation and the occupier...

I have been called out many times to reset an RCD covering several circuits with elderly involved , an RCBO means one circuit is out only...

Yep fair enough RG, good point. Never thought of oldies.

 

[Midwest]

Ha, how big is your supply?! That's a total of 334A. Add some diversity to those circuits as per OSG guidelines, and you'd still be looking at the 200A mark (I think anyway, I could have it totally wrong!)

Don't know if you've seen this video from JW (bloody nice bloke), might help;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0uODypaGI

 

[telectrix]

reasonably well explained but about as interesting as washing my sweaty socks.

 

[Midwest]

reasonably well explained but about as interesting as washing my sweaty socks.

Surprised you had time to watch it, pudding fillers and all.

 

[uksparks]

It is very well split down, I cannot think who installed it without looking on the CU label.

The house is 14 years old, so not ancient, I would say it is well thought out.

The things I have added since moving in 16 months ago are these circuits:

LEFT BANK OF RCBO'S
-------------------------
6 CCTV Power
16 Dedicated Circuit for Compressor
16 Immersion Heater
20 Solar Panels
32 Garage Ring Circuit
6 Front Pillar Lights, side and rear
10 Garage Roller Shutters

yes I agree, its totally overkill filling a board up with RCBO's, and nothing has ever tripped, but as I have just bought the house and plan to stay there for 20+ years, I would like to replace it with something good and as separated as much as possible just so I know a fault on lights outside cannot trip my fridge etc..

Its not just that, but I don't know about you but I get off on going over the top like this, its my house and I want it to be bling! Just think, the next person or spark that looks at it should be suitably impressed!

 

[jackhammerJIM]

the next person or spark that looks at it should be suitably impressed!

Or think its a waste of money.

Im all for rcbos and have done many a mains change favouring them over split rcd . However i would be doubling up upstairs lighting with far end upstairs lighting and the same for downstairs to save myself £50

 

[tomspark93]

I'd also consider putting the garage door, alarm and cctv power on mcbs if the installation methods allow. I remember doing a job when I was an apprentice, the guy had an old merlin gerin board with about 20 circuits and we changed all of his to rcbos, I bet it cost an arm and a leg.

 

[shanky887614]

Ha, how big is your supply?! That's a total of 334A. Add some diversity to those circuits as per OSG guidelines, and you'd still be looking at the 200A mark (I think anyway, I could have it totally wrong!)

And use what in its place though? Surely there is a way to calculating these things or is it merely guess work a lot of the time?

absolute ******** rip that page out of the osg.

not all lights will be on at once, 4 bed house will probably have less than 10 rooms at 100w per room thats 1kw or under 5amp if everything is on maxed.


for example I've swapped a board at my gran parents and because they have gas cooker,hob etc there usage is 5a.

 

[shanky887614]

I'd also consider putting the garage door, alarm and cctv power on mcbs if the installation methods allow. I remember doing a job when I was an apprentice, the guy had an old merlin gerin board with about 20 circuits and we changed all of his to rcbos, I bet it cost an arm and a leg.

would have the new schneider mcb's are £15 each.

£40+ a pop im guessing for the rcbo's now

 

[NDG Elecs]

It is very well split down, I cannot think who installed it without looking on the CU label.

The house is 14 years old, so not ancient, I would say it is well thought out.

The things I have added since moving in 16 months ago are these circuits:

LEFT BANK OF RCBO'S
-------------------------
6 CCTV Power
16 Dedicated Circuit for Compressor
16 Immersion Heater
20 Solar Panels
32 Garage Ring Circuit
6 Front Pillar Lights, side and rear
10 Garage Roller Shutters

yes I agree, its totally overkill filling a board up with RCBO's, and nothing has ever tripped, but as I have just bought the house and plan to stay there for 20+ years, I would like to replace it with something good and as separated as much as possible just so I know a fault on lights outside cannot trip my fridge etc..

Its not just that, but I don't know about you but I get off on going over the top like this, its my house and I want it to be bling! Just think, the next person or spark that looks at it should be suitably impressed!

I must admit I went to a small bungalow a while back and they had a merlin gerin all RCBO board installed which was nice to see for a change. I asked who installed it and it was their son who is an industrial spark. Lovely job inside it, but the son could not provide bits of paper to satisfy building control hence the call to me.

 

[shanky887614]

I must admit I went to a small bungalow a while back and they had a merlin gerin all RCBO board installed which was nice to see for a change. I asked who installed it and it was their son who is an industrial spark. Lovely job inside it, but the son could not provide bits of paper to satisfy building control hence the call to me.

probably more like not registered with a scam.

its nice to see these as well

 

[NDG Elecs]

probably more like not registered with a scam.

its nice to see these as well

Yep, he wasn't registered, BC wanted a EICR for the tiny loft conversion they did. Certainly beats see Proteus board!

 

[slingshot2000]

would have the new schneider mcb's are £15 each.

£40+ a pop im guessing for the rcbo's now

I don't know where you are buying Schider mcbs from, but I pay a lot less than2 quid each for them !

 

[shanky887614]

I don't know where you are buying Schider mcbs from, but I pay a lot less than2 quid each for them !

acti9 mate there expensive without an account (i havent bought any thats google)

ic60h for example