No Spare Way for Shower Can Move Doorbell to Share Lighting Circuit or put Doorbell on Switch Spur?

[Novice12]

Hello,

New builder and Electrician started today to wire-in electric shower to wire already in place for it.

They phoned to say that the new consumer unit that old builder's Electrician put in, which is a 10-way, has no spare way for the shower cable which wasn't wired in.

I spoke to old Electrician who said can move doorbell so shares a lighting circuit to free-up way for shower cable.

Told new builder and Electrician about this and was told can't share circuit.

Went back to old Electrician who said can put doorbell on switch spur above fuse board with 3 Amp fuse so not sharing circuit.

Not got hold of new builder and Electrician to suggest this to them yet but wanted to know if they are right that can't share circuit like old Electrician first suggested and whether putting doorbell on switch spur which was his second suggestion is an OK solution re. regulations etc.

Thanks

 

[westward10]

Spur off ring final through fcu.

 

[DPG]

As Westy says - fcu from ring would be ideal. To be honest if it was unavoidable I'd run it from the lighting circuit, same as I would for an aerial amp in a loft if need be.
Daz

 

[telectrix]

as above. nowt wrong with sharing a circuit. a bit like sharing a bath. it don't save water, but it's nice.

 

[westward10]

If it is surface you can pull either circuit up into the fcu then continue the existing circuit.

 

[Jay Sparks]

as above. nowt wrong with sharing a circuit. a bit like sharing a bath. it don't save water, but it's nice.

That depends on who you are sharing it with?!

I like to share mine with a glass or two of red!

Jay

 

[Midwest]

I thought the sharing bit was, dividing the work between the old electrician and the new electrician. Dear me, leave it to the new electrician, or get the old electrician back in.

You could get one of these;

View attachment 35584
Then ask if the new electrician is happy with free way that's now been unshared!

 

[Novice12]

Thanks all for your responses.

The new Electrician is saying that circuits must never be shared.

 

[telectrix]

Thanks all for your responses.

The new Electrician is saying that circuits must never be shared.

he's a dick then.

the citcuit would not be shared. once the doorbell was added to the lighting MCB, both would become parts of a single circuit. what about smokes being put with a lighting circuit, as most of us prefer to do.

 

[Midwest]

Perhaps he's just selfish or just a bit aloof.

 

[westward10]

Thanks all for your responses.

The new Electrician is saying that circuits must never be shared.

I agree, saying no more

 

[Andy78]

Thanks all for your responses.

The new Electrician is saying that circuits must never be shared.

Ask him for his solution to the problem without upgrading the board. If he says there is no other option it is likely he is just set on trying to part you from your money, in which case you should part him from your company.

 

[telectrix]

maybe he'd be happy to fit a single socket ( off the lighting, of course) and wedge the doorbell wires into the holes with the plug of the aerial amp.

 

[Octopus]

I think the OP is the spark......

 

[Midwest]

 

[Novice12]

I think the OP is the spark......

I think the OP is the spark......

I am not the Spark. I am only the customer trying to work out a solution etc.

 

[Octopus]

I am not the Spark. I am only the customer trying to work out a solution etc.

Then you need to locate a decent spark to begin with .....

 

[Novice12]

Then you need to locate a decent spark to begin with .....

Well how do you do that? I went for a company that is part of Checkatrade and has lots of good reviews, what else is a layman meant to do?

 

[Octopus]

Checkatrade.... Where feedback can't be trusted....

Word of mouth is far more reliable.... Where are you?

 

[Andy78]

Well how do you do that? I went for a company that is part of Checkatrade and has lots of good reviews, what else is a layman meant to do?

Any site that takes payment from traders is not a good indicator of quality of service. Bad reviews are usually not published without the trader being given chance to put it right, and when they put it right bad reviews are not allowed because it's been put right. This can lead to these sites being a refuge for those who need vetted reviews to develop a reputation.