separating socket rings in CU

[bobbych]

I have bought a new build house. which has a split load twin RCD CU.
As expected, each bank has a socket circuit (not labelled Up or Down).

Isolating one circuit turns off half of upstairs and half off downstairs and the other MCB in the CU isolates the other half.

while a decent spark should isolate and prove dead before work, Joe Bloggs maybe tempted to crack on thinking he has isolated the upper ring not realising that only half is dead.

Thoughts anyone????

 

[RISElectrical]

But when you have a fault on 1 circuit you'll be thankful that you still have power upstairs and down.

Simple answer is that Joe Bloggs should stick to 90s demin wear and stay out of your house.

 

[malcolmsanford]

I think that is how modern wiring is taught now, or IMO should be. I'd rather with a split board have it half/half rather than up/down

 

[telectrix]

yep, it's a better way than up/down split. as said before, joe bloggs stick to frying fish and chips. leave electrics to electricians.

 

[oldtimer]

Also depends how the house was built I have seen this before where the sockets are wired in conduit so you may find that the house is wired in 2 halves ie front and back also you say this may cause problem with regards to isolation ie only half of the ground floor goes off but in reality when working on sockets you should always test each one as you work on them as a old spark said to me once dont think its dead son make sure it is or that will make sure you get an early grave

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Can't say that I like the new method.
Yes it complies with 314.1(i) and perhaps (iii).
However I would question whether it complies with (ii) and (vi)?

 

[telectrix]

i would say (ii) would be complied with as long as CU was labelled. and (vi) if safe isolation was carried out.

 

[bobbych]

Thanks for your replies. Makes a lot of sense now.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

To my mind, the lable would have to detail exactly which sockets were controlled by the MCB, i.e. bed 1, bed 2, front room, hall, dinning room, etc.
Another problem, is that a CU is intended to be used by an ordinary person, as such safe isolation may not be something that they are aware of, let alone practice.
Even skilled persons have fallen foul of incorrect labelling, turn off upstairs, only to find that upstairs and down have been swopped over

 

[telectrix]

agreed, but surely CU could be labelled "sockets front" and " sockets rear" as opposed to up/down. in an ideal world, each socket would be labelled with the MCB number, as is done on industrial.

 

[shocking_eg]

i prefer the simpler up and down method.

make sure your lighting on each floor is on the opposite RCD to the ring finals and your good to go

 

[Octopus]

Seeing Cu's with labels at all these days is a rareity.

 

[shocking_eg]

Seeing Cu's with labels at all these days is a rareity.

Tell me about it !!!

drives me mad ! how hard is it to label the board ????

crazy stuff !

cowboys !

 

[telectrix]

especially when the new CU comes with all manner of pretty picture labels that only foreigners can understand. ( that's if their eyesight is keen enough to even see them anyway)

 

[Octopus]

Mine from today, needed to do a couple of "custom" labels on my trusty Brother printer too.







Took about 10 minutes in all. Theres no excuse for not labelling IMHO.