100a supply advice???

spadders · Mar 4, 2015

OK guys, need some advice/opinions please.
Just been out to have a quick look at a fairly big 5 bed house that is being converted into a 6 bed multi let near a hospital.
The landlord is having a combi fitted, but wants to put 4 electric showers in. 1 in the bathroom and 3 en-suites.
Looks like there is one ring for the house (up & down) one for the kitchen and ground floor extension, 2 lighting circuits and cooker circuit.
Main fuse appears to be 100a. It was a very quick whistle stop visit.
When I do the max demand calcs, I can't get anywhere near 100a, even using 0.4 of every circuit other than the highest, and that's without any additional circuits that he may want installing.
I suggested having at least 1 shower off the combi but he seems very reluctant to do it.
In the real world, would this be in your opinion, too great a load for a 100a fuse?
Just wondering what your thoughts were?
Thanks guys n gals

7029 dave · Mar 4, 2015

3phase supply.

Andy78 · Mar 4, 2015

As above, get the landlord to compare the cost of a 3 phase DNO supply with a sufficient plumbed solution as the current electrical supply is not suitable.

PEG · Mar 4, 2015

Depending on what type of landlord he may be...it's either 3ph...or six laminated posters,giving the time slots that showering is permitted...:icon12:

Engineer54 · Mar 5, 2015

A 6 bed multi let, i bet that's gonna be fun each time the electric bill drops through the letter box!!

Leesparkykent · Mar 5, 2015

Engineer54 said:
A 6 bed multi let, i bet that's gonna be fun each time the electric bill drops through the letter box!!

They should fit these pound coin meters to each room haha

Geordie Spark · Mar 5, 2015

spadders said:
OK guys, need some advice/opinions please.
Just been out to have a quick look at a fairly big 5 bed house that is being converted into a 6 bed multi let near a hospital.
The landlord is having a combi fitted, but wants to put 4 electric showers in. 1 in the bathroom and 3 en-suites.
Looks like there is one ring for the house (up & down) one for the kitchen and ground floor extension, 2 lighting circuits and cooker circuit.
Main fuse appears to be 100a. It was a very quick whistle stop visit.
When I do the max demand calcs, I can't get anywhere near 100a, even using 0.4 of every circuit other than the highest, and that's without any additional circuits that he may want installing.
I suggested having at least 1 shower off the combi but he seems very reluctant to do it.
In the real world, would this be in your opinion, too great a load for a 100a fuse?
Just wondering what your thoughts were?
Thanks guys n gals

My thoughts???

The man is clearly a fool.

WHY would anyone choose an electric shower - of any size - over a decent pressure balanced or (better) thermostatic shower running off a combi??

Engineer54 · Mar 5, 2015

Leesparkykent said:
They should fit these pound coin meters to each room haha

Won't cover the common rooms though will it!! lol!!

These multi let's are always a recipe for disaster, you'll always get one or even two taking advantage of the other housemates, if that's the right term for them!! lol!!

Engineer54 · Mar 5, 2015

Geordie Spark said:
My thoughts???

The man is clearly a fool.

WHY would anyone choose an electric shower - of any size - over a decent pressure balanced or (better) thermostatic shower running off a combi??

Eh, ...If he's clearly a fool??

driverman · Mar 5, 2015

Are the flats to be separately metered? Access to mains position will be required by all tenants. Would not a fire alarm, emergency lights also be required.

Plonker 3 · Mar 5, 2015

driverman said:
Are the flats to be separately metered? Access to mains position will be required by all tenants. Would not a fire alarm, emergency lights also be required.

The OP asked about showers not a full on design spec!

spadders · Mar 7, 2015

Hi guys,
thanks for the replies,
just a little update,
I told him I was only prepared to install 2 showers max, which he accepted, and has subsequently decided to install a much larger boiler and have ALL mixers, which solves the shower problem entirely.
Regarding the metering question, the gas & electric is included in the rent, and yes, there is a fire alarm system being installed, as is emergency lighting.
Thanks everybody who took the time to reply.
Until next time

UKMeterman · Mar 7, 2015

If it is a separate CU per property, cost up how much it would cost to have a MID certified meter feeding each property, and explain to the landlord the extra cost of meters now compared to later.

driverman · Mar 8, 2015

UKMeterman said:
If it is a separate CU per property, cost up how much it would cost to have a MID certified meter feeding each property, and explain to the landlord the extra cost of meters now compared to later.

Re MId metering....i know nothing about them. I did ask in here last week, but without much success. Any pointers where to find info out about them. Are they becoming law in certain situations?

Leesparkykent · Mar 8, 2015

driverman said:
Re MId metering....i know nothing about them. I did ask in here last week, but without much success. Any pointers where to find info out about them. Are they becoming law in certain situations?

Any meter used for the billing of electricity must be MID Approved under Annexe MI-003. Existing OFGEM meters are still legal and can be installed until October 2016, after which date every meter used for billing must be MID approved.
The Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) was introduced by the European Commission in 2004 to promote the free trade of measuring instruments throughout Europe and provide common rules for their use. The European Directive 2004/22/EC, MID came fully into force on 30th October 2006.

Here you go mate.