Consumer Unit

[Mark555]

Hi

My home was built by Wilcon 18 years ago and am looking to get the electrics updated.

On checking the consumer unit I find
I did turn the power of from the outside.

The left side is for the cooker and sockets 1 and 2, the right side is for the lights up and down plus the smoke alarms (they each have a battery that sounds a repeating beep if the power goes off) The 2 MCB's covering the sockets/rings, the left one is for the kitchen/utility/bed3/4/landing/garage the right one is for lounge/dinning room/hall/bed1/2 so one covers the left side of the house the other covers the right hand side of the house.

I am looking to have a split load twin RCCB consumer unit fitted. Can this be done and conform to 17th edition, if so how and or will I need to re-wire so sockets/rings so that downstairs sockets are covered by 1 RCCB and upstairs sockets are covered by the second RCCB.

Thanks in advance

 

[Octopus]

Consult a local sparky.

 

[Richard Burns]

Murdoch has given you the easiest answer, but it is perfectly possible to install a twin RCD CU in compliance with the 17th Edition. However whether it would be safe to do so would need a local electrician to test the installation to make sure.
Separation of circuits is just that up down or left right is immaterial really so long as there is a decent spread.

 

[Mike66]

Why dont you just replace circuits 1,2 & 3 with RCBO's

 

[Rampantchilli]

get 4 rcbos and do as mike says, and move one of your socket circuits on to its own rcbo, much less work and cost than a decent dual rcd board AND easier if your doing it yourself.
HOWEVER, you should consult a sparky as YOU will be liable for PART P

id be concerned about your bonding, as first glance says youve got inadequate main protective earthing, but i could be wrong

 

[thomas-1981]

Why do you want to have your lights and smoke detector on a rcd?

 

[telectrix]

as rampant says. bung in some RCBOs, but buy hager so as to preserve manufacturer. as for the earthing. looks to me like a 16mm main earthing conductor and 10mm bonding.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

whats the point in them 2 red johnnys on the busbar forks?

 

[Redvanman]

Nice to see a neat board lol

 

[Johnuk]

why do u need to change it?

 

[telectrix]

probably the board only came with 2 busbar condoms. and that board is a right bolognaise.

 

[Redvanman]

why do u need to change it?

He doesn't but cos he's not a sparks he hasn't got a clue.

 

[Mike66]

whats the point in them 2 red johnnys on the busbar forks?

Dont they come in packs of 3 anymore?

 

[NDG Elecs]

Hi

My home was built by Wilcon 18 years ago and am looking to get the electrics updated.

On checking the consumer unit I find View attachment 19545View attachment 19547
I did turn the power of from the outside.

The left side is for the cooker and sockets 1 and 2, the right side is for the lights up and down plus the smoke alarms (they each have a battery that sounds a repeating beep if the power goes off) The 2 MCB's covering the sockets/rings, the left one is for the kitchen/utility/bed3/4/landing/garage the right one is for lounge/dinning room/hall/bed1/2 so one covers the left side of the house the other covers the right hand side of the house.

I am looking to have a split load twin RCCB consumer unit fitted. Can this be done and conform to 17th edition, if so how and or will I need to re-wire so sockets/rings so that downstairs sockets are covered by 1 RCCB and upstairs sockets are covered by the second RCCB.

Thanks in advance

If you are not having any problems with nuisance tripping I would leave as is. If you are having issues then changing boards layout and configuration won't likely help.

If it is safety you are concerned about, commission a full Elec Installation Condition Report (EICR). This would be more beneficial and informative for you. Typical house would cost in the region of £150.

I would expect the installation to be in decent nick. Though I would check tightness of all socket and switch terminals as new-build drive-by sparks are often pressured with hefty workloads which seem to affect their wrist-twisting ability!!

 

[v.elec]

I can get a dual RCD consumer unit for less cost than 3no RCBO's.