DB upgrade advice appreciated

[Phill]

View attachment 48444 View attachment 48445 View attachment 48444 View attachment 48445 View attachment 48446 View attachment 48447 Ok, I’m a relatively new domestic installer and would value the opinions from you more experienced guys.

Went to look at a job which was outside lighting, gate lights, drive lights, security etc and changing some fluorescents for down lighters in an outbuilding... straightforward. When I went to check the DB to see what I would be working with I came across this arrangement... the client is very keen to get it all upgraded and looking at what he’s got DB1 (top board) feeds DB2 (no RCDS) both boards then feed an outbuilding each with sockets, lighting and EV charger off one... no bonding to gas, water etc and on and on we go , I’m not surprised he wants / needs it sorting.

So, I’m thinking split the incoming tails in a Henley and replace DB1 and 2 with 2 x new 12 way split boards (couple of spare ways in each for future use) and each one of those then feeds a sub board in the outbuildings. Remove the fuses for other two phases not used.

OR, as he’s got 3 phase coming in use 1 phase for one new DB and another phase for another DB,?

I’m more comfortable with option one but open to suggestions. I’m going back on Saturday afternoon to have a more thorough investigation but that’s my thoughts so far...

Sorry, if I don’t respond quickly but got to take my dear old mum out for lunch as she’s 90 today!

 

[Bellendian]

Good point. That and the microbore pipe suggests heating been moved to gas, so maybe a single phase supply adequate now.

 

[Phill]

Not a huge house but in a large plot with a few outbuildings so I was thinking 3 phase was probably for a workshop that no longer exists, current owners only been there 4 years.

Currently, everything working on 100A single phase.

 

[Phill]

Why keep TP if not needed? The hard work has been done ie 3 cables to the house so if ever needed to be restored it’s there?

 

[davesparks]

Not a huge house but in a large plot with a few outbuildings so I was thinking 3 phase was probably for a workshop that no longer exists, current owners only been there 4 years.

Currently, everything working on 100A single phase.

What is the TP board doing if everything is SP?

 

[westward10]

I reckon it is the off peak from the circuit ID. The Federal mcb below the contactor enclosure matches the board.

 

[John Preston]

You say you're a relatively new domestic installer so the first question I would ask myself is... are you skilled and confident enough to tackle this particular job? You need to balance the loads over the 3 phases but at the same time be aware of the location of every circuit because you could end up with 2 phases in 2 socket oulets next to each other for example. You last photo looks like a sub-distribution board which would supply the consumer units and maybe other boards. Impossible to say though by just looking at photos. The cabling looks a mess and to be honest looks like a complete strip out would be required to get it right. It would need designing and a few days spent on it before you start anything.

 

[westward10]

I would put money on the board in the last picture being off peak it isn't even switched on.

 

[Phill]

Confident enough if I got it back to a single phase installation... skilled enough? Probably not that’s why I am definitely going back with a more experienced sparky and quite happy to hand the job over and shadow them. It’s a bit different to anything I’ve seen in the classroom!!!

There’s been enough points raised on here to confirm my suspicions that I could easily end up being in over my head. I know my limitations, I wish others did then maybe we wouldn’t see installations as messy as this.

I have greatly appreciated everyone sharing their thoughts and opinions, I had a lot of nagging doubts about this anyway. I’m happy to take a step back and keep learning.

 

[DefyG]

Its possible that a lot of the equipment may be/become redundant following a previous upgrade to a wet heating system and upgrade of distribution board/consumer unit.?
Once the redundant services are removed it may become much more straightforward with a single phase supply being adequate.
Needs a more thorough inspection/test.

 

[Dustydazzler]

If you are new to the trade , the other import thing is how you cost such a job.
DO you price by the hour and give them a rough estimate including all materials. OR do you give them a fixed price.
A job like this for someone very experienced is probably a day or so work , but if you are brand new out the box you could end up spending days and days on it...

 

[MG201]

Give ur old journeyman a call and ask for a hand