CU change. How many RCD's?

[D Skelton]

I agree, but I think I'll go for an 8 way dual RCD. A bit OTT for only three circuits I know, however it works out about £20 cheaper that way than using RCBO's.

Oh, btw, Reg 314 is what I was on about when I said that no board complies with BS 7671 unless every circuit is protected by an RCBO. I suppose it is down to common sense really isn't it. In my case, I guess it is important that at the very least the sockets and lights are on seperate RCD's.

 

[Paul.M]

You could always get an 8 way board and put in another RCD, one for each circuit? I'm just being silly now .

 

[D Skelton]

Haha, oh I've been through all the combinations! I even thought about an isolator feeding two RCD shower units with appropriate MCB's. Funnily enough that method was only about a fiver more expensive than a dual RCD board!

 

[Octopus]

You can get RCBO's for £12.00 + VAT these days so I think the ONLY way forward is with RCBO's

If its a few pounds more, explain to the customer the differences between the dual board and the RCBO board and let them decide.

 

[Amp David]

5 way CU, 100amp main switch and 3 rcbos all for less than 60 quid.

Far superior than farting about sticking 3 circuits on a dual CU

 

[wade88]

I have the exact same job coming up in the next couple of weeks, small london flat, 4 circuits, going to replace the board with a 6 way and have already explained to the customers the benefit of having 4 circuits all on seperate RCBO's, contactum are selling a range at around £15 at the moment i think from TLC direct so like david has already said, for the extra few quid, its well worth it! With RCBO's being so cheap at the moment its just worth stocking up on a good couple of dozen to have ready in the van

 

[Amp David]

Thats the way to do it!

 

[Spudnik]

In all honesty, the £20 you will save using a dual RCD board will be made back in time using RCBO's

I have just done one, albeit with three circuits and it was swapped in less than an hour with new tails and M.E., excluding testing.

Plus the fact, as some of the lads have pointed out, you can pick them up for around £60.

 

[Adam W]

I'd go for 3 rcbos as well, then if one of the circuits trips you've still got the other 2, the flat isn't plunged into darkness, and the customer still has some way of cooking or making a cuppa until any fault is rectified.
Personally I prefer to have the upstairs lighting on the same rcd as the downstairs sockets and vice versa, then if one of the rcds trips you've still got some way of illuminating the floor, whether it be from the lighting circuit, table lights, led clock, telly etc. Does anyone else have any thoughts on that or is it patently obvious that it's a complete and utter no-brainer?

3 rcbos would require a smaller and less complicated cu as well; if it's a small flat the cu might be in a small cupboard.

 

[Spudnik]

I also quote to fit a decent looking EM bulkhead on the lighting circuit, in the hallway.

 

[Mr.Si]

I'd have to agree with the "All RCBO" option. But to be honest, I wouldn't class it as an option, I'd say it was more like the only way to do it sensibly.

For the extra cost of of £20, it's cheap vs safe and convenient.

Don't go back on your first agreement, just use RCBOs, you'll be thankful you did and with the prices of those contactums, it may work out the same.

Just done a board change in my own house and it's a 12 way board (upgraded from 4-5 re-wireables) - I'd never do it another way, especially with a 3 way board.

Want a hand with any of the installation? I'm only in Lancing...

 

[D Skelton]

Cheers for all the input guys. Think I'm probably gonna stick to RCBO's. Shopping around a bit has come up with quite a few good deals

 

[malcolmsanford]

I'd go for 3 rcbos as well, then if one of the circuits trips you've still got the other 2, the flat isn't plunged into darkness, and the customer still has some way of cooking or making a cuppa until any fault is rectified.
Personally I prefer to have the upstairs lighting on the same rcd as the downstairs sockets and vice versa, then if one of the rcds trips you've still got some way of illuminating the floor, whether it be from the lighting circuit, table lights, led clock, telly etc. Does anyone else have any thoughts on that or is it patently obvious that it's a complete and utter no-brainer?

3 rcbos would require a smaller and less complicated cu as well; if it's a small flat the cu might be in a small cupboard.

As I don't do a lot of domestic now, but on rewires, which is perhaps another thread to be honest, how many guys do an half/half rewire now?

Most lads I know do them, ie half up/ half down on one circuit and the other halves on another circuit. I've also with these bloody downlighters, have known guys do install 3 lighting circuits now having the 3rd one just for kitchen lighting, which would include under counter lights, downlights and kick board lighting.

Is this something other lads do ?

 

[truckster]

As I don't do a lot of domestic now, but on rewires, which is perhaps another thread to be honest, how many guys do an half/half rewire now?

Most lads I know do them, ie half up/ half down on one circuit and the other halves on another circuit. I've also with these bloody downlighters, have known guys do install 3 lighting circuits now having the 3rd one just for kitchen lighting, which would include under counter lights, downlights and kick board lighting.

Is this something other lads do ?

I generally do this now, got into it with the last firm I worked for and just seemed a sensible way to go.