Domestic Consumer Unit Exchange

[Perry Macro]

Hello, I am currently working on my own house. Im not a stranger to electrics and can do the basics. I am a little bit weird in the way I want to re-wire my house. I basically want separate ring main and lighting ring for most of the rooms in the house.

So I'm going to need a large consumer unit. So I've been looking at a 21 unit which will do nicely and be able to have some over for the odd bits or add ons i may need. what unit will i need to get is there a cheap website i can go on and buy my own MCB because I'm going to need more 32amp than they supply and same with lighting. which is the easiest way to do this? is there anything specially i need to buy i know with the new regs its a metal CU but other than that I'm blind.

 

[Octopus]

Are you familiar with BS 7671 and Part P of the building regs?

 

[mattg4321]

Every day at the moment!

If you can only do the basics why on earth do you think you're competent to rewire your entire house? If by some miracle you are able to, what about part p and an electrical installation certificate? What test equipment do you own?

 

[telectrix]

first, why would you want it split up so far? maybe 3 socket circuits and 3 lighting circuits would be more sensible.

secondly, RCDs and MCBs or RCBOs?

thirdly, this is notifiable work, so unless yo employ the services of an electrician, you need to pay building control £300 ish up front, to test and certify the work.

 

[mhar]

A ring main operates at 11kV, it is used by dnos for distribution.
Your ideal board would be an SBS compact rcbo board from which you could run a number of radials, possibly one rfc for kitchen / utility. The 22 way 24 module board is incredibly neat and compact. Problem is that you will be unable to purchase one as the importer will only supply to bona fide electricians

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Just call a qualified electrician, it will be quicker, cheaper and safer.
Also having every room and lights on individual circuits is a bit overkill... it is un-necessary expense.

 

[Perry Macro]

Every day at the moment!

If you can only do the basics why on earth do you think you're competent to rewire your entire house? If by some miracle you are able to, what about part p and an electrical installation certificate? What test equipment do you own?

Its not that hard really is it. Its more about common sense! once its been completed it will be checked over and certificated

 

[mattg4321]

Can see you getting on well with everyone here!

 

[Perry Macro]

first, why would you want it split up so far? maybe 3 socket circuits and 3 lighting circuits would be more sensible.

secondly, RCDs and MCBs or RCBOs?

thirdly, this is notifiable work, so unless yo employ the services of an electrician, you need to pay building control £300 ish up front, to test and certify the work.

Because i want to be able to turn of each individual room if needed. when i was little and had been naughty my mother used to turn off the electric so i could use my TV. but she had to turn the whole of upstairs off. so i thought on my house for my children i would already have this in place and be able to just turn that room off LOL

 

[kingeri]

I was going to contribute, but on second thoughts......no I won't. You just go ahead and put in whatever you like pal. It's easy!

 

[Perry Macro]

Just call a qualified electrician, it will be quicker, cheaper and safer.
Also having every room and lights on individual circuits is a bit overkill... it is un-necessary expense.

it wouldn't be cheaper i know what I'm doing with wiring circuits. Each room will be done one by one so for a full re-wire it would cost hundred if not thousands. me doing it my self will cost half off that because of not paying labour costs. and
Because i want to be able to turn of each individual room if needed. when i was little and had been naughty my mother used to turn off the electric so i could use my TV. but she had to turn the whole of upstairs off. so i thought on my house for my children i would already have this in place and be able to just turn that room off LOL

 

[The Ghost]

I am a little bit weird

Master of understatement as well.

 

[MJPD29]

I just can't understand untrained people trying to wire house etc... you don't see me telling people I'll install their gas boiler for them

 

[Rosco]

If you want to do this then fine but don't come on here and undermine our profession if it's that easy then frankly what are you doing here clearly you know it already, don't put other people's lives at risk for the sake of a few quid or blind ignorance (delete as applicable) .... rant complete

 

[Pete999]

it wouldn't be cheaper i know what I'm doing with wiring circuits. Each room will be done one by one so for a full re-wire it would cost hundred if not thousands. me doing it my self will cost half off that because of not paying labour costs. and
Because i want to be able to turn of each individual room if needed. when i was little and had been naughty my mother used to turn off the electric so i could use my TV. but she had to turn the whole of upstairs off. so i thought on my house for my children i would already have this in place and be able to just turn that room off LOL

Think youre a bit naughty trying to rewire your house when you have little to no knowledge of what you are doing.