CU change only one lighting circuit ???

[ianphilip007]

hi there

need a little advice when you change a C.U that currently has only one lighting circuit covering the whole property( upstairs and down) this circuit would need to be split into 2 seperate circuits before beeing connected to the new CU is my thinking correct re reg 314??

 

[Edward Amsden]

The law contradicts itself, and many regs are worded in such a way it lends itself to debate.. Not everything is black and white, and there is quite often more than one way to do a install that is safe and fit for purpose..

A split load 10 way board doesn't cost much, I prefer to fit one even if a number of ways aren't used.. Best to have a couple spare.

 

[Mr.Ian]

The more I see of these posts the more convinced I become that some electricians use the regulations as “the law” and browbeat customers in to unnecessary work. I know that most of you are honest and upright tradesmen.

There’s only one law I believe in.

View attachment 12483

Please don't say you are insinuating that because I prefer to use a split lighting arrangement for a safety reason that i'm dishonest !!!!! isn't that going just a bit too far ???

 

[Knobhead]

Don’t try to put words in my mouth.

It’s up to your conscience.

 

[Spudnik]

I am also of the opinion in so much that the installation is much safer attaching RCBO,s RCD's etc than not.

4 ways: 1 light, 1 power, 1 garage & 1 cooker?

Im just off to do one now, with RCBO's.

And yes, i will sleep very well tonight.

 

[Knobhead]

Sweet dreams.

 

[Mr.Ian]

Don’t try to put words in my mouth.

It’s up to your conscience.

I'm not, you typed it.

I only feel that with RCDs / RCBOs and then MCBs being far more sensative than the old wired fuse cu the customer WILL get the lighting/sockets tripping more than they have experienced before, and it's all down to the new cu (yes the new cu is safer and no one is saying it's not). I can't see how explaining this to them and suggesting a lighting split is ripping them off / being dishonest in anyway. At the end of the day if they don't want it then it's not done.

 

[kingeri]

I'm not, you typed it.

I only feel that with RCDs / RCBOs and then MCBs being far more sensative than the old wired fuse cu the customer WILL get the lighting/sockets tripping more than they have experienced before, and it's all down to the new cu (yes the new cu is safer and no one is saying it's not). I can't see how explaining this to them and suggesting a lighting split is ripping them off / being dishonest in anyway. At the end of the day if they don't want it then it's not done.

I updated my CU from rewirable fuses to a split load with RCDs. My house has only one lighting circuit and I have never had a nuisance trip. However, I do feel much better in the knowledge that my family is much better protected, and this far outweighs the possibility that one day I might have a nuisance trip. Let's just say I don't lay awake at night worrying about that!

 

[Knobhead]

I'm not, you typed it.

I only feel that with RCDs / RCBOs and then MCBs being far more sensative than the old wired fuse cu the customer WILL get the lighting/sockets tripping more than they have experienced before, and it's all down to the new cu (yes the new cu is safer and no one is saying it's not). I can't see how explaining this to them and suggesting a lighting split is ripping them off / being dishonest in anyway. At the end of the day if they don't want it then it's not done.

So why do you feel obliged to insist there should be two circuits?

Please explain in simple terms that a total thicko like me or Mrs. Scrote can understand.

 

[Mr.Ian]

I don't insist on it at all, I do feel however that it is better option and if it isn't why is it used for a new install ?

 

[kingeri]

I don't insist on it at all, I do feel however that it is better option and if it isn't why is it used for a new install ?

It is a better option, I agree, on new builds or rewires, not just from the 'safety / convenience' point of view, but also from the point of view of loading in this day and age. I think the main point is, going back to the OP, there is no need to split an existing lighting circuit that is working fine, just because you are changing the CU!

 

[Rockingit]

It is a better option, I agree, on new builds or rewires, not just from the 'safety / convenience' point of view, but also from the point of view of loading in this day and age.

Exactly how much loading do you expect from 6W Leds??.....oh, let me think.......

FFS - YES! you split lighting circuits whenever sensible and certainly on a new build, but we do not have to go ripping the floorboards up in the 35 million other homes (or whatever it is) in this country everytime we change a CU.

When the sun goes down, it gets dark. If that is too much like a danger to you then move to another galaxy.

 

[kingeri]

Exactly how much loading do you expect from 6W Leds??.....oh, let me think.......

FFS - YES! you split lighting circuits whenever sensible and certainly on a new build, but we do not have to go ripping the floorboards up in the 35 million other homes (or whatever it is) in this country everytime we change a CU.

When the sun goes down, it gets dark. If that is too much like a danger to you then move to another galaxy.

Thanks for agreeing with me! As for the loading....you are of course right, with LEDs and energy savers, lighting circuits could be run off a 1amp MCB, but we can't take for granted that the punter isn't gonna load up those downlighters with 50watt halogens can we. Maybe in a few years when people have no choice but to buy energy savers, I might change the way I design lighting circuits, but for now I'll stick to the way I've always done it. Thanks! :cool3:

 

[Litttle Shonet]

Lighting on separate circuits. Brilliant in theory. But if it's dark, I'm usually tucked up in bed. The MCB for the upstairs lights goes, there's no way of switching the downstairs lights on from upstairs, so you'll be in the dark going downstairs anyway.Just a thought

 

[Knobhead]

Do a proper job then. Two way switching can work the other way, upstairs to downstairs.

 

[Litttle Shonet]

I've never come across a house that has had a switch at the top of the stairs for downstairs, so please explain what constitutes a proper job?