Do you get problems on CU changes

[SKY]

So many home owners are slowly changing their old boards for new distribution boards.
Mainly dual RCD boards to meet the current regulations.

On a straight forward board change do you come across problems where the RCD will continually trip due to poor older wiring and DIY modifications?

Is so what faults do you tend to find?

Thanks

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Broken rings seem to follow me around, and the existing wiring always has to have a few circuits that 2" short and need extending inside the CU.

 

[rocker]

Always. Always.

I recommend doing as much testing as you can before removing the old board, preferably before you even buy the new board if you have time. That way, you can say 'well this has to be sorted first, and it's going to cost you blah per hour'.

You will get major IR issues. Always.

You will get them ringing up saying it trips when the washing machine turns on. Explain to the beforehand that the RCD will pick up faults in appliances that you are not testing for.

And of course, the good old 'borrowed neutral' on the landing light

 

[baldsparkies]

Oh yes, as others have said above.
Most important is to educate your customer before the consumer unit is changed. explain the pro's and con's. make sure that they are aware that there new board offers shock protection which extends beyond the fixed wiring and includes any appliances they choose to plug in ect ect. And yes do a pir prior to the install.

 

[Phil]

the old borrowed, broken rings, i always test first the full range of them.
i did get a little gem on one of my first ones that kept tripping the rcd. someone had trapped a neutral to the back box and it tripped the rcd intermittently picked up quick enough so no stress

 

[SKY]

I bet so much destruction can be done sometimes in looking for the fault - I mean people putting JBs in spaces that no man will see??

 

[ridemx27]

like said above i always carry out all dead tests and take some zs values before removing exsisting board as u cant always find a break in a ring main an have to resort to splitting into 2 16a radials as the cheaper option, also always check a two way lighting circuit on old installations in a house as many have only a 2 core cable as your stappers then take the feed from the downstairs and the neutral from the upstairs you then split the circuits between 2 rcds or rcbos and 1 flick off the sw takes out the lot, and also the dreaded borrowed neutrals, but all this will be picked up on your dead tests so i chose to do them first, after i have established that the ze or Ra reading is compliant always the first test before starting any works for me.

 

[telectrix]

and look for lack of cpc on lighting. either price for remedy or label CU

 

[rocker]

Remember no class I fittings either

 

[telectrix]

Do you mean CPC? Remember no class I fittings either

yep, you're right. A.I.D.S ( alcohol induced dizzy spell ) got the better of me. just edited it before somebody else spots it

 

[sparx24]

I try to get customer to have an all rcbo board that way usually any fault only affects one circuit which is easier to convince them there is an existing problem, which is also easier to find.
Cost of rcbo's falling all the time so not such a cost difference, I explain the advantages first, usually works.

 

[rocker]

yep, you're right. A.I.D.S ( alcohol induced dizzy spell ) got the better of me. just edited it before somebody else spots it

Your secret's safe with me

 

[telectrix]

Your secret's safe with me

which secret? the alcohol or the dressing up in wonen's clothes? ( joking of course. )

 

[rocker]

( joking of course. )

Damn, I thought I'd found someone I could talk to about it.....

 

[jaresquire]

He's not joking,its how he sells the CU upgrades