Consumer unit question before I get a sparky in

[amarok88]

hi guys,

i am getting ready for sorting out the electrics in my loft conversion before i put the floor boards down etc.

I have a few questions mainly to ensure I know whats going off and i dont get ripped off.

I have a bungalow with lounge, conservatory, kitchen, utility, 3 bedrooms and a garage. my attic conversion will provide 2 first floor bedrooms. i dont have an electric shower and my hob is gas.

for my 2 bedrooms upstairs i will need 6 double sockets, 3 light fitments and 2 smoke alarms. I would like to know if these can just be wired into the existing ring circuits and light loops or if my consumer unit is already at its maximum. I dont know how to work this out.

details:

consumer unit BSEN 60439-3 fitted in 2006. it has a main switch with total load of 100A, 5 switches to the side of this containing:
1 - kitchen lights inc under counter
2 - lights for other rooms
3 - P.I.R
4 - water heater +CI
5 - spare

it then has RCCB switch 80A 30mA
to the side of this are a further 5 switches:
6 - cooker
7 - house sockets
8 - kitchen sockets
9 - utility, 1 bedroom and conservatory
10 - garage

the garage does not have its own consumer board just a fuse in the garage. the utility room has a tumble dryer and washer with inline fuse.

as said no elec shower or hob.

would it likely be possible that i can add the lights into the existing lights fuse and also add the sockets to either the house ring circuit or the utility ring circuit without overloading?

thanks in advance

 

[Wonderwall]

For the sake of let's say another £500.00 a sparky could install a new board and test your whole installation.
On the limited information available I wouldn't want to add to existing circuits too much .
hope this helps

 

[davesparks]

Normally extending the existing circuits would be a simple and sensible approach, this may require an slight upgrade to the consumer unit to add RCD protection to some circuits which don't currently have it to saris ft the changes which have occurred in the regulations.
The consumer unit you have was installed to the previous version of the regulations, but is very unlikely to need to be replaced to carry out this new work, and I would be very wary of anyone advising you that it does need replacing.
Of course we can only give you very vague and generalised advice as we cannot see the state of the installation as it stands.
Your best bet is to get quotes from a few local electricians, and then select which one you wish to use (going with the cheapest option is rarely the most sensible though)
The electricians will need to see the paperwork you receive when the consumer unit was changed (an electrical installation certificate) and also check out things like the earthing and bonding arrangements at your property.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

My preference would be to run new circuits for the extension, looking at your current set up the spare way could serve sockets in the extension via an RCBO, and it may be possible to re-jig an existing circuit...(PIR)? onto another to provide another spare for a separate lighting circuit upstairs.
Whilst it is quite possible to accommodate this in your present setup it may be worthwhile upgrading to a larger CU with dual RCD protection,or even better RCBO's on all circuits, (more cost but a better and safer setup).
As above though.....don't let anyone tell you a new CU is essential, or that yours is now 'illegal' because it's not metal.

 

[Octopus]

I would recommend that you check with your building control officer the requirements for mains powered smoke alarms on the ground floor as these are usually required with loft conversions.....

Also new circuits and replacement fuseboards come under Part P - so check the sparkies you talk to are registered.