Replacing A Consumer Unit
Upgrading an aged consumer unit to one making use of two residual current systems
, RCDs is a task that many folks will currently have to consider. The Seventeenth release of the cabling rules necessitates most circuits in a household home to be secured by an RCD. It is normally a much better and more affordable choice to improve the consumer unit rather than alter the present installation in order to conform with the new rules.
A consumer unit utilizing rewireable BS 3036 fuse carriers was improved to a 17th release split load board making use of signal breakers often 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 taken out
17th edition electrical wiring laws relating to consumer units
The new wiring polices announced in 2008 demand that all circuits are covered by RCDs. Often the easiest way to comply, particularly if the present fuse box is outdated, is to upgrade.
Swapping the consumer unit may also require some additional electrical work, to allow the unit installation to fulfill the criteria set by the new wiring legislation. This may include breaking circuits or running in new cable. An older property might include all the lighting and sockets provided by just two circuits. It would be better practice to split these so that the lighting and sockets for each surface are on different circuits with their own circuit breaker. Other issues that demand consideration include borrowed neutrals. This is where a neutral return path was not available and a link to a further circuit has been crafted. Repairing this fault would, in many cases, will need a new cable to be laid back to the consumer unit.
Old consumer unit taken out and doing away with outdated wires
Reviewing earthing and bonding arrangements
In advance of the consumer unit is changed, the electrical installer will have checked the distributors equipment at the starting point of the installation and the earthing and bonding arrangements. This is to make certain that they are reliable and that they comply with the restrictions. Many older homes do not have a double pole isolation button amongst the meter and the consumer unit which means that the electrical provider will have to be called in before work on the consumer unit can start. The manufacturer may oblige by installing this primary switch.
The majority domestic properties have the following arrangement at the origin: the service cable entering a enclosed 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 main switch would be installed. 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 sized installations; your electrician will guide you on what is necessary.
Setting up wall support
Creating first connections to 17th edition RCD board
Adding the new consumer unit
The nature of this work, disconnecting the overload safeguards and joining the cable to a new means of basic and fault protection suggests that the electrician will have worked on all circuits. This individual will as a result have to carryout an electric check on all circuits to make certain that they are secure and will then have to issue an electrical installation certificate before the work is passed over. Any mistakes identified on a circuit will have to be remedied before the circuit is energised.
Planning circuit connections
New consumer unit in place in a position for labelling
Health and safety Note
Just before any work is carried out on an electrical circuit, the circuit must be separated and locked off or the fuse carrier taken out. A sign ought to be positioned at the isolation place saying that work is being carried out and that electrical power must not be returned to the circuit.
If you are not 100% certain that you understand exactly what you are doing call in a competent electrician. Building restrictions are getting stricter, necessitating that qualified individuals only carry out electrical work, with most works having to be notified to the local authority. Altering the electrical installation in your home could be against the new rules and could invalidate your home insurance policy, if in question 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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