How would you change this.

[MrPupsi]

How would you go about changing this unit over?

Old wylex board with Pyro mains tails. Earthed via Pyro, and all circuits via conduit.

Protrudes out the wall so I was thinking 1 of options, as I can’t see any other way round it.


Option 1
Batten on each side of the DB to the same level of the current one, crimp all cables and mount new unit over the old one.
Take a 16mm cpc from old board to new board.

Option 2
Angle grind the DB so it’s level with the wall and do same as above.

Option 3
Remove current DB completely and try to get another one in the same space, attempt to alter conduits and pyro to fit.
Don’t fancy bending pyro!

 

[MrPupsi]

I did contemplate that Telectrix but unsure how BS would take to my own line of DB production.

Its a small studio flat, the landlord isn’t going to pay for a full rewire, especially when it doesn’t need one.

Turning the original box into a junction box with proper crimps/no maintenance joints, and then mounting over would look quite decent in my opinion.
Regarding using a grinder, it would only be to bring the existing box level with the wall to get a neater finish.

I get the whole walk away from the job mind set as I’ve done it many times before, but I don’t think it applies here when a satisfactory result can be had without going full rewire.

 

[richy3333]

You'd probably find that the band saw would be better than a grinder as there won't be any sparks.

 

[Dave OCD]

Better to leave that protruding and batten round the edges in order to fix a flat piece of ply for the new CU. It would give you more wiring space in the old enclosure in behind too.

 

[freddo]

The difficult bit is that the existing is a surface fuse box that has been partly flushed in, If it was all surface or fully flushed in it would be much easier!

 

[ipf]

Better to leave that protruding and batten round the edges in order to fix a flat piece of ply for the new CU. It would give you more wiring space in the old enclosure in behind too.

Most simple method, by far.

It makes me think, though. What extra work has been done, points wise. The number of outlets needed, these days, compared with the 60's doesn't bear thinking about. Looks like one ring and a cooker. I could see at a couple of 4 way extension leads around. Probably OK if not in a kitchen, though.
Wonder what that 2.5 is from the 5amp.

 

[MrPupsi]

The 2.5 was supplying a switch and socket on one of the walls.
I'm guessing it was intended to be a 3pin lamp plug and it has a normal light switch, but somebody decided to swap it over with a normal plug or just installed a normal plug instead!

Tenant told me it kept blowing the fuse wire when he plugged the hoover in and he lost his lights as well ?

As said, its a small studio, 4 x single sockets in the main living/bedroom area, 13a oven, a washing machine/tumbledryer all in one unit, a 3kw immersion heater and a few other bits like an extractor fan etc.