Certification Questions | Page 2 | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss Certification Questions in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Joined
Oct 7, 2017
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
sheffield
I have just replaced an old style wired fuse board with a modern consumer unit.

When removing the old unit, the 32 AMP wire fuse that supplied two 2.5mm cables to the dining room and lounge sockets I assumed to be a ring main but found no continuity between any of the wires and on further investigation found that it was in fact two radial circuits connected to the single fuse (naughty!)

I don’t want to have to re-wire to install a ring main, so is it within regulation to separate these two radials and supply them from a 20A RCD? Certainly looks safe on paper as 2.5mm is rated at I believe 27amps?

Another frustration is that the layout of the two radials is not consistent, one feeds the dining room and part of the lounge, the other feeds only two sockets in the lounge. I was thinking these should be labelled as “Lounge and Dining Room Sockets (partial)” in the consumer unit. Again, is this allowed?

There is a ring main that supplies the upstairs and the kitchen – odd considering the radial design downstairs – which some bright spark has taken a 2.5” spur off the back of one of the kitchen sockets to supply the downstairs toilet light. Again – how does this stand from a regulatory point of view. I don’t see a safety issue as long as this is labelled up in the consumer unit.

Also in the kitchen, the original 45 amp cooker wire has been fed into a 13A fused spur and the under cupboard kitchen lights & a double 13A socket (ran with 1.5mm twin and earth) has been fed. When I installed the consumer unit it made sense to radial this off the kitchen/upstairs ring main at the unit itself. Doesn’t look regs, but don’t see any danger here as the 13A fuse in the spur would protect from overload of either the sockets or lighting.

I plan to get the installation inspected and signed off. Would all/any of this pass, or is remedial work needed?

Many thanks
 
The danger comes from inadvertent poor workmanship and not rectifying existing faults.

Poor connections cause fires.

You may think all is well and it may well look ok but one slip up can have catastrophic consequences.

Part of a board change is testing and inspecting the existing installation as over time the installation is degraded.

Most of the time if a board change is required there are other faults to rectify which will not get better over time.

The reason we all now have to fit metal consumer units in domestic premises is the likelihood of a fire starting in one caused by poor workmanship or materials.
 
That statement in relation to what is stated above is totally incongruent to put it politely. You are aware that what you have undertaken is notifiable work yes? You are required by law to notify BC a minimum of 48 hours before work commences. If you do not you are commiting an offence.
So is having a smoke in your van if other workmates travel in it, but never seen anyone prostituted prosecuted for it. it's also an offence to light up in the vehicle if little monsters kids are being transported. also. from the 1872 licencing act, it is illegal to be drunk in a pub. severe penalties may be incurred, e.g. transportation to Australia. think i might go for that one. 10 pints is a hell of a sight cheaper than Ryanair.
 
Paul have you tested the circuits you've connected to your new CU so that you'll sure they were safe to energise?

Without Sorry for boring the pants of other members, pictured below is a socket I discovered when a new kitchen had been installed in a house. It was a socket on a ring final, that had been plastered over when the house was built circa 1960, the ring was changed to two radials in 2011 when someone replaced the CU. The cables were still live, until hacked out the plaster to reveal this old fossil, and disconnected from the radials.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Certification Questions [ElectriciansForums.net] Certification Questions
 
Don't misunderstand the nature of what is being purported to you. This is meant in the spirit of guiding you safely through such a project. It would have been better to post here at the planning stage. I am all for you doing such a project and applaud your sense of adventure and derring do, but of course we are constrained by regs/statute and can only advise accordingly.
 
Paul have you tested the circuits you've connected to your new CU so that you'll sure they were safe to energise?

Without boring the pants of other members, pictured below is a socket I discovered when a new kitchen had been installed in a house. It was a socket on a ring final, that had been plastered over when the house was built circa 1960, the ring was changed to two radials in 2011 when someone replaced the CU. The cables were still live, until hacked out the plaster to reveal this old fossil, and disconnected from the radials.

View attachment 38701 View attachment 38702
just bang a couple of wagos on it.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Certification Questions
 
Edit In reply to Mr Moonie.

It was simpler just to disconnect t'other ends and as the back box was going to be behind a floor unit, safer for the Sunday afternoon diy'er and power drill ;)
 
Have you checked the incoming meter tails and bonding ?. As the work you have done is change the consumer unit all work by you can be inspected i.e. not concealed in the fabric of the building and I can't see a problem with a third party signing that part of the work off if complies ,however I agree what Vort has posted the correct procedure has not been followed and this ( in part) is down to public awareness. As this is not my line of work I assume that members on here who do consumer unit updates would include a full EICR on the existing installation prior to re-energising it and I encourage you to do this.Midwest in post 19 has proved a very good example in his post may be this is something you should be investigating.
 
It is a matter of scales of danger really, someone phoned me from the number on my van and told me I am smoking in the van. I didn't get prosecuted though, should have been though;)
haha. reminds me of t'other week. stopped at traffic lights, 2 lanes. car next to me in other lane. i chucked my smoke end out and he went ballistic. yelling and bawling " cigarette end.litter... blah, blah, blah. "

so i wound down my manual window winder and yelled back at the pratt.....

" if you're quick, there's still a couple of drags left on it "

don't think he was amused.
 

Reply to Certification Questions in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

News and Offers from Sponsors

  • Article
Join us at electronica 2024 in Munich! Since 1964, electronica has been the premier event for technology enthusiasts and industry professionals...
    • Like
Replies
0
Views
397
  • Sticky
  • Article
Good to know thanks, one can never have enough places to source parts from!
Replies
4
Views
986
  • Article
OFFICIAL SPONSORS These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then...
Replies
0
Views
1K

Similar threads

There's a difference between being required to install an RCD and being required to have a full rewire when all the houses around have similar...
2
Replies
19
Views
1K
Joining the ends of the radials together to form a ring, and changing the circuit protection to a single 32A would solve the MCB overload problem...
Replies
8
Views
783

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top