Replacing A Consumer Device
Changing an outdated consumer unit to one making use of two residual current devices
, RCDs is a job that many folks will currently have to consider. The Seventeenth edition of the cabling legislation demands most circuits in a residential property to be secured by an RCD. It is often a much better and more affordable option to update the consumer unit rather than change the active unit installation in order to conform with the new rules.
A consumer unit employing rewireable BS 3036 fuse carriers was improved to a Seventeenth version split load board adding circuit breakers occasionally referred to as MCBs, miniture circuit breakers. The circuits on the new consumer units are protected by two residual current devices. Power and lighting circuits for the same floor are split between the RCDs on different sides of the board. This is so that in the event of a fault all the circuits on a particular floor are not cut-off from the supply.
Consumer unit to be improved with fuse carriers removed
17th edition cabling legislation relating to consumer units
The new wiring regulations introduced in 2008 require that all circuits are protected by RCDs. Typically the simplest way to comply, especially if the present fuse box is outdated, is to upgrade.
Replacing the consumer unit may also require some extra electrical work, to allow the unit installation to meet the standards set by the new wiring polices. This may possibly include breaking circuits or running in new cable. An older residence might include all the lighting and sockets supplied by just two circuits. It would be better practice to separate these so that the lighting and sockets for each floor are on independent circuits with their own circuit breaker. Other complications that call for attention include borrowed neutrals. This is where a neutral return pathway was not accessible and a link to an additional circuit has been made. Solving this error would, in many circumstances, will need a new cable to be laid back to the consumer unit.
Old consumer unit taken out and removing out of date wires
Verifying earthing and bonding arrangements
Just before the consumer unit is changed, the electrical contractor will have inspected the distributors equipment at the source of the installation and the earthing and bonding arrangements. This is to make sure that they are reliable and that they abide with the policies. A lot of older houses do not have a double pole isolation button between the meter and the consumer unit which means that the electrical distributor will have to be called in before work on the consumer unit can commence. The provider may oblige by installing this primary switch.
Nearly all domestic premises have the following arrangement at the origin: the service cable entering a sealed unit with a fused line (live) conductor with a 100amp main fuse or service cut-out, 25mm meter tails, a digital or analogue meter, 25mm tails to consumer unit. It is here that the principal switch would be positioned. The programmed disconnection of supply would be provided for by 16mm earthing conductor and 10mm main bonding conductors to gas, water and other services. These arrangements vary with bigger or smaller installs; your electrical contractor will guide you on what is needed.
Fitting wall support
Creating first connections to 17th edition RCD board
Adding the new consumer unit
The characteristics of this job, disconnecting the overload safeguard and connecting the wire to a new means of basic and fault safety suggests that the electrical contractor will have worked on all circuits. He will consequently have to carry out an electrical test on all circuits to be sure that they are safe and will then have to issue an electrical installment document before the job is handed over. Any defects discovered on a circuit will have to be corrected before the circuit is energised.
Planning circuit connections
New consumer unit in place prepared for labelling
Basic safety Note
Just before any work is carried out on an electrical circuit, the circuit must be isolated and locked off or the fuse carrier taken out. A sign need to be placed at the isolation place declaring that work is being carried out and that power must not be returned to the circuit.
If you are not 100% sure that you understand precisely what you are carrying out call in a experienced electrician. Building policies are getting to be stricter, requesting that qualified individuals only carry out electrical work, with most works having to be informed to the local authority. Altering the electrical installation in your residence could be in opposition to the new rules and could invalidate your home insurance policy, if in doubt check first!
Electrician in Gloucester
Suite E 21 The Plantation, Hardwicke, Gloucester GL2 4SP 0845 094 3843 http://www.electricianingloucester.co.uk
by: dani8ezzpe
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