A bit of advice if possible please for a non-electrician

[soundant]

I would like to upgrade my CU - the old one has 4 fuses and seems a bit inadequate - new kitchen / shower etc down the line and appears to have no protection in the form of RCD's.

There are two other single fuse holders / isolation switches rated at 45A (garage with a couple of F tube lights) and ?A (HWT heater) coming off a Henley block.

Looking at the current installation it would appear that the incoming (cast iron?) fuse holder is rated at 30A. The meter is rated at 20-100A.

Assuming the fuse holder + fuse needs to be upgraded, who would I contact to do this? Can I also get an isolation switch installed to help with the CU change later on?

Many thanks for any advice offered.

 

[telectrix]

it's the job of the DNO. (the distributor, not who you pay your bill to) to replace your service head. if you buy a 100A isolator, they might fit it for you at the same time.

 

[soundant]

Thanks very much telectrix.

Any chance of a link to a suitable one?

 

[soundant]

Forgot to ask - does the DNO charge for this?

 

[telectrix]

they won't charge for replacing an obsolete service head. it's their equipment and their duty to maintain it. they may want paying for installing an isolator. i'llm find you a link in a min.

 

[telectrix]

google 100A 2 pole isolator. or try meteor electrical.forum sponsor over there >>>>>

 

[soundant]

non over there but this one seems correct:

You can find it by searching our forum here, electrical advice. And of course tiling advice, and uk tiling forum.

I'll get the cover below it too I guess.

Thanks again for helping me out!

 

[Octopus]

If you're not a sparky, you would almost certainly benefit from the input from a competent person.

 

[soundant]

Hi Murdoch - I'm pretty sure telectrix is competent - he has 14,534 posts and a lot of thanks.

If, after I talk to the DNO, it turns out he doesn't know what he's talking about I'll be back to find out what he's doing posting on a forum for electricians.

 

[telectrix]

i think murdoch meant for you to involve a competent/qualified electrician to carry out any work. e.g. replacing your CU.

 

[Octopus]

i think murdoch meant for you to involve a competent/qualified electrician to carry out any work. e.g. replacing your CU.

I'm super glad you didn't think I was questioning your competence Tel!! lol

 

[parker56]

All Murdock meant was to get someone in to guide you in the right direction.

 

[mickys86]

Friend for life there tel!!

 

[nickblake]

im not going to be a stick in the mud here but realistically you should not be changing your consumer unit your self , this should be carried out by a regestered and qualified electrician , the reason for this is the installation will require testing and doing this requires specialist and expensive equipment which has been calibrated and is tracable , the reason testing is carried out is to ensure there are no underlying problems wiht the installation such as neutral faults oc on earths etc i name a couple this type of work is also notifiable , and worst of all if you carry out the work yourself you may well find your insurance will be void , sorry to be a stick in the mud , im sure i speak for most members when i say any advice we can give you we will with pleasure , but changing a consumer unit is not as simple as it appears

 

[soundant]

Ah - I see where I've gone wrong here and got Murdoch in trouble to boot.

When I said 'I' want to upgrade the CU I should have said 'I want to get it upgraded' - and assumed that the first step would be to get the supply sorted (with DNO) first and then get in a pro for the CU - I've done it again - implying that the DNO boys are not pro's.......

Thank you for the kind replies - I will take on board what you have said and really do appreciate the fact that most members are willing to give advice 'with pleasure'.

I'll be back with more idiotic questions later no doubt...

Hope this isn't one - any ball parks for how much a CU change will cost in Surrey?