Any tips when quoting for CU upgrades

[aliensbrains]

Quoting for a CU upgrade soon and it's the first time I've actually quoted one myself.

Any tips on how best to approach it? I get the principle of materials + time, but is there another stuff to watch out for that might not be obvious. Things that may have tripped (no pun intended) people up in the past that I might also miss.

Also I'll be testing before doing the upgrade so global IR L+N to E, Ze & Zs, confirming end to ends & R2 tests, borrowed neutral etc. Clearly can't realistically doing this on first visit for quote. I appreciate all jobs are different but do you do any bacic Zs etc. at the quoting stage? Or pre-empt the customer that the first part of the job is testing the installation's suitability for a new RCBO/SPD board, and that might affect the end price.

All help appreciated - thanks!

 

[richy3333]

Make sure you visit site first. Have the cover off the existing CU and consider how the existing circuit cables will get into the new CU - do you need trunking, glands etc. Is earthing and bonding OK. I'd not be testing at this stage. Potentially allow for a mains tails gland, new tails, Henleys, isolator switch etc? Make sure the quote is subject to prior testing and if that highlights issues there might be extra costs or at least discussions to have with the customer.

If you get the job go back and do the testing you mentioned before changing the CU - the amount of posts on here where people have issues after the event because they don't test beforehand.

Manage customers expectations. Make sure they understand they'll have no power. Over estimate the time the power will be out, then if you finish early you are a hero! I encourage my customers to go out for the day if I can. Then I have no disturbances and can just crack on with the job without being disturbed.

 

[aliensbrains]

Make sure you visit site first. Have the cover off the existing CU and consider how the existing circuit cables will get into the new CU - do you need trunking, glands etc. Is earthing and bonding OK. I'd not be testing at this stage. Potentially allow for a mains tails gland, new tails, Henleys, isolator switch etc? Make sure the quote is subject to prior testing and if that highlights issues there might be extra costs or at least discussions to have with the customer.

If you get the job go back and do the testing you mentioned before changing the CU - the amount of posts on here where people have issues after the event because they don't test beforehand.

Manage customers expectations. Make sure they understand they'll have no power. Over estimate the time the power will be out, then if you finish early you are a hero! I encourage my customers to go out for the day if I can. Then I have no disturbances and can just crack on with the job without being disturbed.

Great advice, much appreciated.

 

[LukeD]

Great advice, much appreciated.

Never ever quote until you know exactly what you are quoting for .And use what ever brand board you like to work on

 

[aliensbrains]

Totally agree. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems!
I've actually just been to look at this job and this is the main cut out situation.

Customer wants an EV charger after the CU upgrade too.

 

[Jock from the north]

Quoting for a CU upgrade soon and it's the first time I've actually quoted one myself.

Any tips on how best to approach it? I get the principle of materials + time, but is there another stuff to watch out for that might not be obvious. Things that may have tripped (no pun intended) people up in the past that I might also miss.

Also I'll be testing before doing the upgrade so global IR L+N to E, Ze & Zs, confirming end to ends & R2 tests, borrowed neutral etc. Clearly can't realistically doing this on first visit for quote. I appreciate all jobs are different but do you do any bacic Zs etc. at the quoting stage? Or pre-empt the customer that the first part of the job is testing the installation's suitability for a new RCBO/SPD board, and that might affect the end price.

All help appreciated - thanks!

Isolating the existing consumer unit may be a consideration if there is no dno/energy company double pole isolator .

Quoting for a CU upgrade soon and it's the first time I've actually quoted one myself.

Any tips on how best to approach it? I get the principle of materials + time, but is there another stuff to watch out for that might not be obvious. Things that may have tripped (no pun intended) people up in the past that I might also miss.

Also I'll be testing before doing the upgrade so global IR L+N to E, Ze & Zs, confirming end to ends & R2 tests, borrowed neutral etc. Clearly can't realistically doing this on first visit for quote. I appreciate all jobs are different but do you do any bacic Zs etc. at the quoting stage? Or pre-empt the customer that the first part of the job is testing the installation's suitability for a new RCBO/SPD board, and that might affect the end price.

All help appreciated - thanks!

 

[Jock from the north]

Quoting for a CU upgrade soon and it's the first time I've actually quoted one myself.

Any tips on how best to approach it? I get the principle of materials + time, but is there another stuff to watch out for that might not be obvious. Things that may have tripped (no pun intended) people up in the past that I might also miss.

Also I'll be testing before doing the upgrade so global IR L+N to E, Ze & Zs, confirming end to ends & R2 tests, borrowed neutral etc. Clearly can't realistically doing this on first visit for quote. I appreciate all jobs are different but do you do any bacic Zs etc. at the quoting stage? Or pre-empt the customer that the first part of the job is testing the installation's suitability for a new RCBO/SPD board, and that might affect the end price.

All help appreciated - thanks!

It's always the last thing that springs to mind!

 

[Jock from the north]

Quoting for a CU upgrade soon and it's the first time I've actually quoted one myself.

Any tips on how best to approach it? I get the principle of materials + time, but is there another stuff to watch out for that might not be obvious. Things that may have tripped (no pun intended) people up in the past that I might also miss.

Also I'll be testing before doing the upgrade so global IR L+N to E, Ze & Zs, confirming end to ends & R2 tests, borrowed neutral etc. Clearly can't realistically doing this on first visit for quote. I appreciate all jobs are different but do you do any bacic Zs etc. at the quoting stage? Or pre-empt the customer that the first part of the job is testing the installation's suitability for a new RCBO/SPD board, and that might affect the end price.

All help appreciated - thanks!

Also try build a good working relationship with customer and make them understand that just because there oven worked before on an mcb with no rcd etc there's no guarantee it won't trip the first time the grill goes on .the famous "well its always worked before " can be hard to explain to some customers .there's only so much you can do ,you never wired the property and you don't have x ray vision .how far do you go do you start doing in service inspections on appliances .

 

[Jock from the north]

Totally agree. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems!
I've actually just been to look at this job and this is the main cut out situation.

Customer wants an EV charger after the CU upgrade too.

View attachment 119336

It's not easy to see from photo but is the left hand cut out the neutral. Or a second phase if it is the neutral and is fused I belive the dno would have to get directly involved to upgrade it .but like I say I can't see where tails are going .before my time I'm afraid.hopefully someone else on the forum can recognise them.i dare say there full of asbestos as well .maybe there defunct do you have more photos .thanks

 

[westward10]

That cutout is probably pre 1960s and almost certainly has a fused neutral, a neutral link would not be available. It needs reporting to the DNO.

 

[Jock from the north]

That cutout is probably pre 1960s and almost certainly has a fused neutral, a neutral link would not be available. It needs reporting to the DNO.

Looking at the dnos website or ena could it be a biscuit tin cutout and has a maximum rewirebale fuse wire of 30 amps .

 

[westward10]

Looking at the dnos website or ena could it be a biscuit tin cutout

Looking at the dnos website or ena could it be a biscuit tin cutout and has a maximum rewirebale fuse wire of 30 amps .

I wouldn't call it "biscuit tin" they got their moniker because they resembled biscuit tins.

 

[Jock from the north]

Quoting for a CU upgrade soon and it's the first time I've actually quoted one myself.

Any tips on how best to approach it? I get the principle of materials + time, but is there another stuff to watch out for that might not be obvious. Things that may have tripped (no pun intended) people up in the past that I might also miss.

Also I'll be testing before doing the upgrade so global IR L+N to E, Ze & Zs, confirming end to ends & R2 tests, borrowed neutral etc. Clearly can't realistically doing this on first visit for quote. I appreciate all jobs are different but do you do any bacic Zs etc. at the quoting stage? Or pre-empt the customer that the first part of the job is testing the installation's suitability for a new RCBO/SPD board, and that might affect the end price.

All help appreciated - thanks!

Hi before going any further with quote for consumer unit its def worth getting the customer to upgrade the service head ,if that is the cut outs in your photo .they will do it for free I'd imagine but dont hold me to it.if the neutral cut out is fused looking at there website it's within 21 days .obviously they have left a dangerous situation prob missed over the years.i guess it's a rural area .

 

[aliensbrains]

Yeah from what I've read, I believe it's most likely 30A Line and either a fused or bridged neutral. Either way DNO needs to come out and that's what I've advised initially. There's no way I'm touching them.

I've asked for an isolator too.

What's the most likely course of action from the DNO do you think? Replace the whole lot with iso and PME or do I need to get involved to specifically request that?

Obviously 30A is no good for the EV installation either so the customer really needs this sorting.

 

[aliensbrains]

Hi before going any further with quote for consumer unit its def worth getting the customer to upgrade the service head ,if that is the cut outs in your photo .they will do it for free I'd imagine but dont hold me to it.if the neutral cut out is fused looking at there website it's within 21 days .obviously they have left a dangerous situation prob missed over the years.i guess it's a rural area .

It's actually an Edwardian terrace in an urban area.