Home brew consumer unit?

[sparc]

Can anyone help me with directions to relevant part of BGB/GN3 on what formally constitutes a distribution board please? (Second picture)





I ask because I came across this sub-main during the inspection for a condition report. This is fed directly from main supply head via a couple of Henley blocks and is used to supply another small MEM distribution board in the garage - which in turn feeds the internal electrics of the garage and a couple of garden sockets.

Aside from issues of cable sizes, I noted the mix of manufacturers for RCD and breakers. But other than these could this be considered a 'legit' distribution board - with earths tied in a connection block and neutrals coming out RCD?

Needless to say there was no certificate issued with this installation! Why the installer didn't simply put in a 2-way garage unit (~£30) is beyond me - he can't have saved that much.


While I'm at it, can anyone also comment on this cable - (first picture) - used in a couple of places in the installation to connect house to outbuildings. There is a single sheathed live conductor, and multiple black PVC sheathed neutral conductors. At a guess, I'd say the total c.s.a of all the neutrals is same as the single line conductor. I haven't come across this type of cable before.

 

[Richard Burns]

What a mess!
Have a look in definitions in BGB for distribution board, unfortunately it probably is a distribution board.
The cable is concentric cable, neutral should be same csa as line. Treat as T&E for protection purposes.

 

[telectrix]

as above. concentric cable. but was this installed by an epileptic goat? certainly not by a spark.

- - - Updated - - -

as above. concentric cable. but was this installed by an epileptic goat? certainly not by a spark. stick the lids back on and quote £500 for remedials.

 

[Octopus]

That install was done by somebody using up the "parts" in their van.

Terrible!

 

[sparc]

What a mess!
Have a look in definitions in BGB for distribution board, unfortunately it probably is a distribution board.
The cable is concentric cable, neutral should be same csa as line. Treat as T&E for protection purposes.

Well, the BGB is rather light on a definition here - and this would meet it. As you say, "unfortunately".

The definition of a consumer unit is more helpful, as it says it should comprise of " ... a type-tested co-ordinated assemble .. " - which clearly this isn't. However, I'm not sure there is a specific requirement for this distribution point being protected by a 'consumer unit' rather than just a 'distribution board'.

BTW, I am recommending it be replaced with a suitable garage unit ...

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

Murdoch, you beat me to it, my thoughts exactly.

Regards.

 

[Engineer54]

What a mess!
Have a look in definitions in BGB for distribution board, unfortunately it probably is a distribution board.
The cable is concentric cable, neutral should be same csa as line. Treat as T&E for protection purposes.

That would be a ''Split Concentric'' if a CPC is provided within the cable make-up.

 

[lmdawson]

That's an absolute disgrace....I doubt very much a spark has installed that...

 

[tony mc]

I take it that the neutral connection on the small unit is the bottom of the RCD which looks like a 6 or 10mm crushed in with a 1.5 mm or do I need specs !

 

[Flanders]

The concentric cable is normally used by the service provider to feed the main head, I've seen in used as sub mains in high rise flats too looks like some jack the lad got the bits of a building site and bodge it all together.Due to the state of it I would Issue it a code 2 and recommend changing it for a a garage unit as you sugested.