Consumer Unit Upgrade

[Curious J]

Hi,

I have an issue regarding the upgrading of a consumer unit. The existing version is the old Wylex type with rewire-able fuses, the proposed new type is a Wylex High Integrity version, I know from looking at the existing cabling within the old board certain circuits lengths will be to short, is it acceptable to extend these (using connector blocks) within the new board itself if its carried out neatly, it may only be the CPC & or Neutral.

Otherwise a majority of circuits will need rewiring, which I don't think the customer will pay for.

Thanks for anyones advice.

 

[Ponty Massive]

 

[nikmet]

insulated through crimps are fine to use, neater too, just make sure you use the correct size for the cable.

 

[Curious J]

Thanks, yes I go for the through crimps, sized correctly for the cable & obviously using a ratchet crimper.

Thanks again

 

[mart8235]

I'm with nikmet, use thru crimps in a consumer unit, not connector blocks. chances are you can't easily access them afterwards to check tightness of terminations - and it will look nicer too!
no need to rewire circuits if that's your only issue.

 

[Curious J]

Thanks for your help

 

[andekoch]

Just wondering how you determine if your ratchet crimper is applying the correct pressure. I notice there is an adjuster on mine but wondering how I know the setting is good.

 

[telectrix]

if extending red/black cables, i would use red/black singles to extend. nothing looks worse than conductor colour changes. that's if you can still get the "proper" colours.

 

[telectrix]

Just wondering how you determine if your ratchet crimper is applying the correct pressure. I notice there is an adjuster on mine but wondering how I know the setting is good.

it's good if you can't pull them apart . could always use wagos.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

it's good if you can't pull them apart . could always use wagos.

Hi Tel

aren't they only up to a certain rating? (24A?)

 

[Ponty Massive]

Hi,

I have an issue regarding the upgrading of a consumer unit.

Otherwise a majority of circuits will need rewiring, which I don't think the customer will pay for.

Thanks for anyones advice.

Mate no offence, but are you an electrician? If so are you with a part P provider? Just make's me wonder with the sort of question you are asking, changing a consumer unit in a domestic proerty is also notifiable to your LABC.

 

[Curious J]

Hi,

Yes I'm a 17th edition qualified electrician (25 years electrical experience with a major global company in heavy industrial electrical engineering), part p registered & currently have an assessment pending with a competent persons scheme.

The reason why I've asked this question is gain some industry recommendations, as I'm not at all keen by using 'connector blocks' just wondered if it was in some form acceptable before I go down the route of quoting extra works,

 

[DurhamSparky]

wagos every time....!! rated at 24A 32A and 41A depending on cable size and use!!

 

[Curious J]

Hi,

When their new out of a box their calibrated to apply the correct pressure, as time moves on there is a question mark over this. Certain calibration company offer a calibration service on ratchet crimper's (large engineering companies insisted on this before works are carried out), however sometimes the cost of the calibration is nearly the price of a crimper (around £20 these days, 10 years ago they were £50)

Thanks for your reply.

 

[andekoch]

it's good if you can't pull them apart . could always use wagos.

That is how I determine if ok. Sort of an annual check on them, apart from site checks. Just wondered if a more technical method. Wago's are 24 amp (higher rating for the larger diam ones).