Consumer Unit Change

[Nickj]

Hi All,

I am tomorrow going to be changing a consumer unit ahead of my Elecsa assessment next week.

Just wanted to check that I'm not missing anything with regards to amendment 3.

I'm going to be using a BG consumer unit supplied with RCBOs.

It has a cut out at back for cable entry and so I am going to pass all cables through that using a grommet strip around the metal edges. Do I need to seal the entry hole? I believe not however I have heard arguments that it needs to be sealed. Passing all cables through the rear entry may require de-rating cables due to grouping however the cables enter the current board (3036's) through the rear. Can i therefore assume ratings are fine?

I am going to attach the consumer unit to the wall using dewalt wall dogs which require no anchor in wall meaning I don't have to worry about plastic wall plugs falling out in the event of a fire.


If the cables are too short (I sincerely hope they won't be) I'll use an adaptable box above the board to mount a din rail to extend wiring. Does this adaptable box need to be non-combustible too? (associated switch gear covers this possibly?)

Thanks in advance

Nick

 

[Midwest]

Remember the biscuits, although they seemingly they're a bit health conscious now, the last one declined my triple choc hobknobs

 

[Nickj]

Selection of biscuits tea and coffee all available. All of the finest quality. If only people still accepted brown envelopes haha

 

[Midwest]

From the point of view of the assessor, if he asks about this, you have cogent and reasoned statements indicating that you had considered the issues and decided that the situation was safe and compliant with BS7671 as far as you understand it.
If you can state this with the assessor at the time and therefore show that you are competent then this should be acceptable.
If the assessor still decides that rectification is necessary then, because you are already demonstrating competence, a simple photographic resolution should be sufficient.

That's what I said, lie through one's teeth

 

[Richard Burns]

That's what I said, lie through one's teeth

Oh dear, oh dear!
If you can't baffle them with brilliance, then befuddle them with.. "cow excrement"

 

[westward10]

I am assuming there will be some spare ways at the new board. How do you intend to fill them, I always stick a breaker in them much better than blanks which the assessor may not like.

 

[Nickj]

There are spare ways and I have filled them with blanks.

I did consider this carefully and thought about spare breakers, those new dummy breakers and blanks.

I decided that I'd follow manufacturers instructions and inside the box there were blanks to be used to fill spare ways.

Blanks fit into the board snugly and whilst they could be removed it wouldn't be accidentally as you do need to manipulate them a little to get them out.

Bs7671 does say to follow manufacturers instructions and so if there is an issue with these surely it's for the manufacturer to answer?

This board is mounted high enough to stop children playing but low enough for an adult to operate it at arms reach.

Overall I am happy with this choice...

 

[Andy78]

What make is the board ?
Some push in blanks may comply and some may not. I always use dinrail mounted blanks to ensure a good secure hold and compliance.

I recently used used a BG garage board that was supplied with push in blanks. They could be flicked out easily with a fingernail, so not compliant, no matter what the instructions said.

BS7671 asks that products are selected for their suitability and compliance so the onus is on the designer/installer.

 

[Nickj]

It's a bg board. I've tried to remove them and whilst I could it took a fair bit of wrangling to do it. Switching over to blank mcbs wouldn't be much of a task.

I'm guessing any make blank would fit? The bg ones aren't in stock and so I couldn't get them in time.

These MK ones are in stock and I could put them in tomorrow http://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-blank-mcb-pack-of-5/71995#product_additional_details_container.

If nothing else it would be something to talk to him about and distract him from the main earth

 

[Andy78]

No idea if the MK blanks would fit. I tried Hager blanks and although they provided an IP2X fit, they didn't really fit and I wasn't happy with it. I ended up buying more mcbs to plug the gap.

 

[Midwest]

Oh common, last time I tried removing CU push in blank covers, I broke my precious finger nails . Din rail ones are better, but you still need a tool with the former.

Anyways, give this bloke a break. ''Don't have nightmares, do sleep well",

 

[Midwest]

Oh dear, oh dear!
If you can't baffle them with brilliance, then befuddle them with.. "cow excrement"

Sometimes Richard, you brilliance misses the point.

 

[Andy78]

Oh common, last time I tried removing CU push in blank covers, I broke my precious finger nails . Din rail ones are better, but you still need a tool with the former.

Anyways, give this bloke a break. ''Don't have nightmares, do sleep well",

I held this opinion until I tried the metal clad BG garage board recently. Most push in blanks are very solid.
You can't sweepingly approve or disapprove any type of product though, especially when it comes to BG. They really do only take a stern look to make them fall out.

 

[westward10]

A modular DIN rail blank of fit a breaker. The only cover blank worth their salt are the twist fit ones which cannot be removed with the cover in place.

 

[Octopus]

I use the Wylex metal blanks - they can only be fitted before the cover is fitted. And I fit them to other makes of CU

 

[DPG]

Trouble is then you need to bond them. Daz. (popcorn ready).