no spare breakers

citybluesmith · Nov 23, 2009

i am new to the electrics game and today i have come across something new.the person i am doing the job for wants a seperate socket for the comms unit.when i have got to the fuse board there is no room for another breaker and all the existing breakers are being used.please help.

Colin Integrale · Nov 23, 2009

Just a seperate socket? Or on a new circuit?

Amp David · Nov 23, 2009

Either a new CU or split tails and add a second CU

citybluesmith · Nov 23, 2009

Colin Integrale said:
Just a seperate socket? Or on a new circuit?

a new circuit with one socket on it

Mr Mark Sparks · Nov 23, 2009

see if there is a couple of circuits you can double up to create a spare way ie lights just watch the loading

eskimo39 · Nov 23, 2009

If you want a dedicated socket you can purchase a henley block and split the tails from the main supply.

A 2 way RCD board can be bought for about £40 with a couple of breakers in it, a Henley Block is about £6 and an Earth Block £4 (Don't forget to earth the new board)

sparks1234 · Nov 23, 2009

You would be better off adding a new consumer unit but feeding it from the original via a 50 or 60 amp MCB and then transfer a couple of circuits into it, you then dont fall foul of having more than one main switch

eskimo39 · Nov 23, 2009

sparks1234 said:
You would be better off adding a new consumer unit but feeding it from the original via a 50 or 60 amp MCB and then transfer a couple of circuits into it, you then dont fall foul of having more than one main switch

What problems are caused by having 2 main switches??

Frenchsparky · Nov 24, 2009

eskimo39 said:
What problems are caused by having 2 main switches??

Typically case of emergecy you need to shut off the supply in the hurry.

I am not too sure what the requirement if have two main switches in UK so I will let UK electricians expain this part due I am not 100% famauir with their reguatations however I am well verised with both France and USA reguations

In France it is legit to have up to 3 main switches at common location.

in USA we can have up to 6 main switch or 6 " throws " but once you get above that number you will have to regroup to a master disconnect main switch { disconnecting switch is the same thing }

Merci.
Marc

Phil Mumford · Nov 24, 2009

Single point of isolation is a requirement - or it used to be under UK regs.

Surely there is circuit you can jump on to? a 16A or 20A MCB in the board is a likely target - just watch your loadings.