Consumer unit ...which way to go?

[Chris86]

Afternoon all,

Early in the new year, I have the need to leave the comfort of the industrial world and take on a rare domestic job (rewire of my brothers new house)

Its a 4 bed house and to get it how he eventually wants it, a CU with plenty of room for expansion is a must. As usual though, budget is tight so I am trying to source a CU at a reasonable price. Work wise for 3 phase, we use either Hager or Schneider acti9 but the domestic versions of these will prove a bridge too far as will going all rcbo.

I have so far found a British General 22 module high integity unit and a Wylex 21 module high integrity unit, both of which will fit the bill future proofing wise but and there is always a but, are either of these any good and if you had to choose between them, which way would you swing?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice.

ATB

Chris

 

[Midwest]

Thank you very much for your help at least I know where to look for the screw now.

Is linking directly to the neutral normal with this type of cut out or would it appear to be a diy PME connection? Spoken to Western power distribution today and they have no record of the earthing arrangement. They have offered to find out if PME is available and quote for provision if required.

It's looking like i wont be able to find out until the sale completes and I can run a ZE test.

Thank again for your help,

Chris

My money is on it being PME, but I can see your thoughts about confirming this, not just jumping to conclusions like me.

 

[Chris86]

Thanks for your advice, i would love to be experienced enough to jump to conclusions and be happy i was right. It is the only unknown on the job and it's typical that its with the one bit i am not 100% familar with.

My work is all plant and machinery based so all we worry about is taking Zdb/zs readings, we never have to worry about Ze and earthing arrangements. Our sub station contractors tell us we are TN-C-S give us the ZE and that's our lot.

ATB

Chris

 

[Toneyz]

It most likely looks like this inside. Why are you changing the meter tails?

 

[Chris86]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to post the photos, they are a really big help. Is a special tool needed to fit the screws in the neutrel/earth blocks?

I am changing the meter tails as they are 16mm and the earth 10mm so upgrading to 25mm & 16mm.

Thanks again for your help,

Chris

 

[buzzlightyear]

when you start messing around with the DNO gear you will need the bomb proof gear all sparks carry!

 

[Chris86]

Somewhere in the bowels of the stores at work we have the gloves/faceshield/Kevlar suit kit that one of our German facilities engineers told us we would need when he saw or red spot fuse boards. He turned a very funny colour when he first spotted them, granted they are a tad past their best but it did seem a bit of an over reaction.

I did enquire with WPD today regards an isolator being fitted, someone from the local office is going to call me back.......won't hold my breath though.

ATB
Chris

 

[buzzlightyear]

get the your brother to up grade to smart meter and ask the supplier
for isolator switch before any work is done .other wise the magic fairy's will need to pull the fuse !

 

[Chris86]

That is another option we have considered, when British Gas fitted mine, they installed an isolator without being asked, just the normal procedure according to the meter fitter.

 

[buzzlightyear]

That is another option we have considered, when British Gas fitted mine, they installed an isolator without being asked, just the normal procedure according to the meter fitter.

no many do ,fit the isolators.

 

[Toneyz]

The OP will still have the problem of the main earthing conductor (taking in that if the earth is from where it normally inserted there will be a hole where the 10mm is now).

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I saw in OP's post that hes under western power, when they send an engineer out to decide if they can supply PME - if they dont already, then the engineer is likely to be more than happy to pull that fuse for him, he could then install a isolator whilst the guy is there. in my experience when provided with a ample size cup of tea and pack of biscuits, western power workers will take a very long time on a 5 minute job. giving the OP plenty of time to fit isolator, change tails, add any extra earthing cables etc... it could save him a few quid too.
they normally charge around £60 to de-energise a supply.. i know if pushed you can sometimes get them to do it for free, but its like getting blood from a stone
https://www.westernpower.co.uk/docs...ical-installers/Standard-Charges-Website.aspx

 

[Chris86]

Thanks for all your advice/help so far on this, it is much appreciated.

I am a bit unsure of my next move now, I assume opening up the cut out, removing the 10mm main earth and replacing it with 16mm in the same manner is not a sensible or safe approach?

Should I just hold fire until Western power distribution have been out and checked the connection? I am not sure how long this would take so am concerned about it holding the job up but if that is what's required then so be it.

ATB
Chris

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Thanks for all your advice/help so far on this, it is much appreciated.

I am a bit unsure of my next move now, I assume opening up the cut out, removing the 10mm main earth and replacing it with 16mm in the same manner is not a sensible or safe approach?

Should I just hold fire until Western power distribution have been out and checked the connection? I am not sure how long this would take so am concerned about it holding the job up but if that is what's required then so be it.

ATB
Chris

Western power tend to be quite quick sending an engineer to assess things... Different story entirely getting them to do a job. Normal time is a couple of weeks. The pdf i uploaded above has their current prices in. If you do get them to do work try your luck and have an isolator ready for them to fit.... Whilst i feel they should do a lot of these things for free. They arent that overpriced.

 

[buzzlightyear]

get the magic fairy's in to pull the fuse. if they going hold you up .
16mm in earths in cut the 16 mm tails to new isolator from there 25mm tails in before the new consumer goes in simple's .or wait till the suppliers turn up

 

[Chris86]

Thanks, that was the way I was thinking of playing this one until Western power do their bit, it is always nice to get a second opinion on these thing though.

With regards to the main earth, I am thinking of fitting a met close to the meter and connecting the existing 10mm to this then run my new 16mm from this to the new CU. I will leave the new 16mm long enough to move to the new PME earth connection once WPD have sorted it out. Bonding will be connected to a met at the CU position so I would remove the one at the meter position when it is no longer needed.

WPD called me back today and they are sending someone out on Tuesday to assess the job.

Thanks again for everyones input and advice.

ATB

Chris