Consumer Unit

[gedbhoy]

Hi all. So I ran a ring main circuit in for dado trunking in a community centre. The cables were taken back to a 3 phase consumer unit which along with the circuit chart had about a dozen breakers marked 'spare'. Guess what? Opened it up and it's packed. The 3 phase supply cabe is too large to drop out and split a phase with a Henley block(to supply a small consumer unit). There is no room to fit another consumer unit with more breakers either. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for the help guys. Such a nice friendly forum u have here.

You are lucky most of the more vociferous members are at work, could get a lot worse round about 18:00 to night

 

[Jonspark]

You are lucky most of the more vociferous members are at work, could get a lot worse round about 18:00 to night

thought tony had retired?

 

[Pete999]

thought tony had retired?

Could be having his afternoon nap lol

 

[gedbhoy]

I agree a simple check would have been my first item on the agenda.

As I was just called to the site by a foreman to have a quick look I told him I would run the cables in a certain route. We had a quick look at DB and it all looked good to go. Shutting it down to look inside wasn't an option as the centre was in full swing. I know I'll get comments saying u should have went at 3am to check, but I work 8 to 4 for a local authority so that also wasn't an option. 99% of my work is maintenance in houses with 12 way consumer units. This was a bit out of the norm work wise . That's why I thought I'd come on here and ask advice. Genuine thanks to the chap who did advise. Thanks also to the grammar police poster who was stupid enough to trip himself up on his own correction.

 

[LeeH]

Thanks also to the grammar police poster who was stupid enough to trip himself up on his own correction.

He didn't.

Only a moron would use 'thunk' or even contemplate it was good grammar.

It's probably some stupid Americanism.

 

[gedbhoy]

Bar pete999 and the guy that actually went out of his way to help me I do not think I have ever came across a forum were downright rudeness would seem to be a prerequisite for its members. Wtf is wrong with some folk? The levels of pedantry and flaming are unprecedented on the Internet. I have read through a few other posts were people ask for advice and it's the same. We don't all wire up bloody space stations.

 

[GMES]

Guys lets keep the thread on track please.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Bar pete999 and the guy that actually went out of his way to help me I do not think I have ever came across a forum were downright rudeness would seem to be a prerequisite for its members. Wtf is wrong with some folk? The levels of pedantry and flaming are unprecedented on the Internet. I have read through a few other posts were people ask for advice and it's the same. We don't all wire up bloody space stations.

I thought you was on about a ring final circuit that you had installed and managed to fudge up as you didn't check the DB for spare ways? It's hardly rocket science is it?

 

[jackhammerJIM]

Two things... It's not a sodding ring main, it's a ring final circuit. Look it up!

secondly, I prefer the term distribution board when it's three phase, consumer unit doesn't quite sound right.

The man who calls socket outlets "plugs" should not be giving other forum members advice on correct terminology ....

 

[davesparks]

The levels of pedantry and flaming are unprecedented on the Internet. .

I can recommend a landrover forum which puts this place to shame on both those points!

With regards to your problem, if there is already a ring final circuit serving that room you may be able to extend that ring to include your new installation (subject to load and calculations/testing etc)

Next time you should take the cover off of the DB and have a look.

 

[7029 dave]

Well am sure the OP won't make that mistake again. (lookie lookie)

 

[Silly Sausage]

Next time you should take the cover off of the DB and have a look.

And never believe a DB schedule, if it exists in the first place

 

[ferg]

And never believe a DB schedule, if it exists in the first place

Not if mine at home is anything to go by.

 

[Knobhead]

Bar pete999 and the guy that actually went out of his way to help me I do not think I have ever came across a forum were downright rudeness would seem to be a prerequisite for its members. Wtf is wrong with some folk? The levels of pedantry and flaming are unprecedented on the Internet. I have read through a few other posts were people ask for advice and it's the same. We don't all wire up bloody space stations.

I've not said anything.





Yet!

 

[Gazthesparky]

Bar pete999 and the guy that actually went out of his way to help me I do not think I have ever came across a forum were downright rudeness would seem to be a prerequisite for its members. Wtf is wrong with some folk? The levels of pedantry and flaming are unprecedented on the Internet. I have read through a few other posts were people ask for advice and it's the same. We don't all wire up bloody space stations.

We are all a helpful bunch of people!!! We do this in our spare time and don't get paid. It just wares thin after a while people are constantly getting stuck on simple things. Then run to the Internet and expect others to bail them out. You made the mistake of not checking fully before starting the job. Then when you get stuck you expect others to tell you what to do.
In this case it's a very easy solution. As long as the loading of the board can take the extra load of the circuit. Remove one circuit from the board install a submain and an additional board. Re instate the old circuit and connect your new circuit to the board.

That is the correct way to handle it by the way you were lucky that someone felt sorry for you and spoon fed you the answer. But how do you know the advice given on the Internet is right and correct for your situation. What about if someone advised you to walk off cliff ? Would you follow there advice ? ,would you walk off ??