My partner and I bought our first house a week ago. We don't have much DIY experience but we are determined to learn and do as much work as we can to save cost.
The house is a 3bed an ex-council house built in 1959 and needs a complete refurbishment.
The existing CU is not too old (pvc wires) but we have to add sockets, electric shower...and we prefer to get it upgraded. Please see photos.
I have had an electrician having a look a few hours ago. He said he can move the CU 180 degrees facing the hall with the length of the existing cables. He quoted me £250 for moving the CU, including new CU.
He said he could install the following CU:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/british-g...dual-rcd-consumer-unit/2920g?_requestid=39295
If I replace it I would like to get a good quality one with space for more modules and individual ring per floor for the lights and sockets, 2 sockets outside, an electric shower, induction cooker, oven...
I am thinking something Like:
RCD 1
32A Upstairs Ring Main
6A Upstairs lights
6A Smoke Detector
16A????? Immersion heater - in case the gas boiler fails
RCD 2
32A Kitchen Ring Main
32A Downstairs Ring Main
6A Downstairs Lights
45A Cooker
Do you think I could reuse the RCBOs from my current CU for the new one :
RCBO 1
Electric Shower (9-10kw)
RCBO 2
Outside sockets or kitchen sockets
My questions are:
1. Could you recommend a better Consumer Unit?
2. Would it be to much work and too expensive to split the existing ring socket and lights per floor? Or should just leave as it is?
3. What do you think about using the RCBO for shower and outside or kitchen socket?
4. Could you please arrange the two RCDs in a better way?
5. Do you think the MCD specs are OK (amps)?
6. What do you think about this job for £250?
Thank you very much. We are quite stressed wih the refurbishment and your help would be much appreciated.
The house is a 3bed an ex-council house built in 1959 and needs a complete refurbishment.
The existing CU is not too old (pvc wires) but we have to add sockets, electric shower...and we prefer to get it upgraded. Please see photos.
I have had an electrician having a look a few hours ago. He said he can move the CU 180 degrees facing the hall with the length of the existing cables. He quoted me £250 for moving the CU, including new CU.
He said he could install the following CU:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/british-g...dual-rcd-consumer-unit/2920g?_requestid=39295
If I replace it I would like to get a good quality one with space for more modules and individual ring per floor for the lights and sockets, 2 sockets outside, an electric shower, induction cooker, oven...
I am thinking something Like:
RCD 1
32A Upstairs Ring Main
6A Upstairs lights
6A Smoke Detector
16A????? Immersion heater - in case the gas boiler fails
RCD 2
32A Kitchen Ring Main
32A Downstairs Ring Main
6A Downstairs Lights
45A Cooker
Do you think I could reuse the RCBOs from my current CU for the new one :
RCBO 1
Electric Shower (9-10kw)
RCBO 2
Outside sockets or kitchen sockets
My questions are:
1. Could you recommend a better Consumer Unit?
2. Would it be to much work and too expensive to split the existing ring socket and lights per floor? Or should just leave as it is?
3. What do you think about using the RCBO for shower and outside or kitchen socket?
4. Could you please arrange the two RCDs in a better way?
5. Do you think the MCD specs are OK (amps)?
6. What do you think about this job for £250?
Thank you very much. We are quite stressed wih the refurbishment and your help would be much appreciated.