UK How to power up my board?

[Brendo79]

Hey,

Im looking to recreate the board work I did at college to refresh my wiring skills. I’m looking to rig up lighting circuits and ring circuits. I have cable, sockets and switches.

I was wondering how to power the consumer unit so I can test and measure my work?

Apologies if this has already been posted I’m still getting to grips with the forum.

cheers

 

[Dave OCD]

If you're not actually putting any load as such on your practice installation you could power the CU with a length of 1.5mm 3 core flex and 13 amp plug from another existing socket ?

 

[Robson689]

If you're not actually putting any load as such on your practice installation you could power the CU with a length of 1.5mm 3 core flex and 13 amp plug from another existing socket ?

This is exactly how we powered our boards in college I think it's the easiest way

 

[Brendo79]

If you're not actually putting any load as such on your practice installation you could power the CU with a length of 1.5mm 3 core flex and 13 amp plug from another existing socket ?

I can’t remember what they used at college only that it was Crocodile Clips on to the tails. Great, I wondered if I could do it like I did with my alarm panel I practice on.

 

[pc1966]

13A plug and 3A fuse. If/when you accidentally short out the bang is slightly smaller...

Make sure the supplying sockets are RCD protected, and if doing a RCD test put the E lead of your MFT on to the supply N from the 13A plug/cable so it only trips your test CU RCD/RCBO and not your home's socket circuit.

You might want to put an insulated 4mm socket on to that to make it safer/easier to use it as you would normally do the MET or CU chassis.

 

[Lister1987]

I did the same, do a search for 'test rig' and it'll come up

 

[telectrix]

i did a search for "test rig" and came up with this:

 

[LewisM]

Something like this is what we used at college

Quick Test Connector Safe Block

Bench or wall mountable Supplied with 2m UK plug Insulated L, N, E clips

www.tester.co.uk

 

[loz2754]

Such a block is very useful but overkill for your purposes.

 

[pc1966]

I have one of those quick-connect blocks, think I got mine from CPC. Very handy for checking the odd thing out but not very robust for longer term use.

What some folk have done is get an old DNO cut-out & meter and make up something on a chipboard backing that is very like the real thing, but with a small fault current from a 13A plug & suitable fuse. Not sure where they got them though, no doubt available new but at a fair price!

 

[pc1966]

Actually not too painful at around £42:

SP+N Cut Out Kit – Series 8

The Series 8 House service Cut Out is produced in track resistant, high performance Glass Reinforced Polyester (DMC) which makes it simple to install and use

www.jointingtech.co.uk

Lucy is cheaper, but no fuse and maybe other bits needed:

Lucy CNE Cut Out Assembly

Lucy House Service Cut Outs - Devices accepting BS 1361 cylindrical cartridge fuses having separate Neutral and Earth blocks.

www.jointingtech.co.uk

 

[Brendo79]

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. I was wondering if there is a definitions list for all the acronyms used here. Quite a few I can work out but some I’m not sure. I tried searching but couldn’t find any.

 

[pc1966]

Probably a list somewhere, but here is a start:
CU = consumer unit (fuse box)
CPC = circuit protective conductor (i.e. earth)
DNO = distribution network operation (power supply company, but not billing)
MET = main earth terminal
MFT = multi-function tester
RCD = residual current device
RCBO = residual current breaker with overload protection

 

[Brendo79]

Great, thank you. DNO & MET had me scratching my head

 

[Lister1987]

Great, thank you. DNO & MET had me scratching my head

DN will soon become DSO when prosumerism gets established