general consumer unit question

[madgolfaddict]

Grateful for some advice with this one.
In addition to my normal consumer unit I have an addtional consumer unit that was once used for storage heaters. Each Volex16 CB supplying one heater. Over the years the heaters were removed and the outlets converted to single point plugs. (the economy seven meter was removed)

One of the CB has had the wiring to the old heater disconnected and a new ring main connected to it.

Q1 Do i need to upgrade the Volex 16 to a 32 for the ring and if so can you get VB32 the same physical sixe as a VB16 to fit the same consumer unit?

Q2 Do I need to have fitted an RCB circuit protection for the ring?

Thanks for your replies for a newbie

madgolf

 

[alexg]

Hi
rcd only if you change the circuit/fuse system
leave it at 16 amps
no probs as probably plenty of watts being delivered

 

[madgolfaddict]

Thanks AlexG. Much appreciated.
madgolf

 

[rocker]

If it is a ring final circuit as opposed to a radial circuit I would increase to 32A. You shouldn't have a problem getting a volex breaker, but since you are asking this question I'm going to assume you're not an electrician, and recommend you get an electrician in to install this.

 

[madgolfaddict]

Thanks Rocky...I am an aircraft lecky so confident with the safety aspect and the "doing" of it...just not a clue with the regs.

I thought 16A is a bit low for an 8 double socket ring, but wasnt going to argue with AlexG as that would be plain stupid. I'll try to get a 32A same phsical size so it fits the unit

My other consumer unit has an RCB breaker. Should i fit (or get fitted ) one for this bank or is that not required.

thanks again
madgolf

 

[Guest123]

You're best bet would be to try and source an RCBO for this consumer unit as the socket outlets will need protection via a 30mA RCD/RCBO.

 

[rocker]

I think alex thought you had a radial circuit with just one socket outlet like it says one circuit is like, that would be fine on a 16A. You couldn't get a model number or picture of the consumer unit, could you?

I'm agreeing totally with Lenny if you can get an RCBO in it it will be worth your while.... regs wise I don't think you could argue the increase in MCB is a 'like for like' so really you would need to have some form of RCD protection. All this is irrelevant though, as if you do everything to the book but as an aircraft electrician you aren't in a part p scheme, and you're not going to notify building control and pay their astronomical fees, it won't be 'up to regs' anyway!! Where abouts in the country are you?

 

[nickblake]

If you cant get an RCBO Id put an additional RCD supplying the board as it appears to all be sockets

 

[pevvers]

All this is irrelevant though, as if you do everything to the book but as an aircraft electrician you aren't in a part p scheme, and you're not going to notify building control and pay their astronomical fees, it won't be 'up to regs' anyway!! Where abouts in the country are you?

Did I miss the bit that said it was in a kitchen, outside or a room containing a bath or shower?

 

[rocker]

Did I miss the bit that said it was in a kitchen, outside or a room containing a bath or shower?

I thought that any change of consumer unit or incomer is going to warrant a notification

 

[pevvers]

Is he changing the whole consumer unit?