Loft conversion circuits

[bigbro]

Hi all,

Advice please...

I am considering having my loft converted but only want to pay for the shell and do the rest myself. Times are hard!!!

I have an old cu that is wire fuse. Will i need to change the cu box and have all the current circuits tested or is there a way to have a secondary cu from my old supply. the loft will need ring, lighting, smoke alarm on three floors to include two current levels and a shower circuit.

I realise that i will pay to have the testing done but really need to keep costs down so the wiring to the cu area i can do.

Any advice greatly received.

Brendan

 

[jase]

I'm sure i have seen threads on this forum where people have discussed feeding a new CU with a 6mm to then provide 2 new circuits for a new kitchen, and what about those shower units you can buy, like you say E54, could end up with 3 or 4 CU's in a 3 bed terrace!!! lol

 

[bigbro]

Thank you guys for all your advice. some very useful information to take in and some not...but funny. lol. Just for information i have c and g training 2330 a few years back but was not able to gain full time spark work. fast track course...seemed like a good idea at the time. i have done some rewire work with a full time spark but he has moved away. So not trying to nick any work from you guys as im pretty sure of my capabilities just was not sure of the easiest and cheap and correct way. Thanks all

 

[mackers]

Smarmy Flippant remarks?? .... Listen, only a dammed cowboy or a DIYer would suggest bunging in a separate 5 way CU in the loft, just for what is a bedroom, and that's the end of it!!!

If the OP can't afford a couple of hundred quid or so, to up-date his CU or if required his electrical installation, then he shouldn't be considering undertaking a loft conversion on a shoe string. ...Basics come first!!

of interest how would u have supplied the 4 new cirrequired 54 and what electrical reasons is there that makes dave a cowbojust out y for doing it his way?what code would it be on a PIR?
cuits that where
Oh, and as far as i know, there are few houses/flats sold these days in the UK without the buyers solicitors or mortgage lenders asking for an electrical report!! As for what China requires, Who Knows or cares, your guess would be as good as mine!!!

just out of interest how would you have supplied the 4 new circuit required 54 and also what electrical reasons make dave a cowboy for doing it his way?what code would it be on a PIR?

 

[41steve]

You dont have 2b qualified 2 do the testing. The NIC are interested in who installs the cables not who does the 2nd fix.

The job sounds like a DIY and illegal 4 him 2 mess. Think the lad should have a PIR on the existing installation first with the 3036 protection.

 

[Rockingit]

You dont have 2b qualified 2 do the testing. The NIC are interested in who installs the cables not who does the 2nd fix.

Really????? Please, do enlighten us.

 

[Geordie Spark]

there is one advantage of running a submain up to this loft conversion & it's this:
If said loft conversion is habited by a spotty youth who spends all day every day playing computer games etc. like mine, you can install a coin operated meter for him so's YOU don't end-up paying for him to play!!!

It MAY be just the incentive he needs to get out & about in the fresh air, finding a job & earning a living !! :32:

 

[Engineer54]

just out of interest how would you have supplied the 4 new circuit required 54 and also what electrical reasons make dave a cowboy for doing it his way?what code would it be on a PIR?

With or without an up-dated CU??

I've already stated one way, without a CU update, breaking into the existing upstairs lighting and power circuits, which would at the best of times be under utilised. For the shower he would need to split the tails at the CU end etc, and provide a switch-fuse and shower unit, to supply the shower. Which is a daft expense, when it's almost the cost in materials as providing an updated CU, which would provide superior protection for all of the house circuits, as well as providing a means of supplying the new shower.

Either that way, or splitting the tails again and install a second CU and providing the loft circuits from this new CU. Neither of these options make much sense against the advantages of an up-dated House CU, least of all a numpty 5+ way CU in the loft bedroom!!

I have no idea what codes you use for this and that!! What that has to do with things isn't the point!! There are right ways of doing things and then there are way's that some will try to get out of doing things the right way!! I'm not saying they violate the Reg's, but are still a pig's ear of an electrical installation!! And as i see it a further downturn in the standard of work that's being advised and carried out these days in the UK

 

[stujham]

Just to add to the debate, I had a friend of a friend explain how a "Plasterer ?" converted his loft to a habitable room and dropped a 2.5mm all the way down the cavity to the CU/Meter cupboard.

Said it was a b*%^***d of a job !!!!!! ???????

You can laugh but you just stand there after shaking your head in disbelief.

 

[mackers]

With or without an up-dated CU??

I've already stated one way, without a CU update, breaking into the existing upstairs lighting and power circuits, which would at the best of times be under utilised. For the shower he would need to split the tails at the CU end etc, and provide a switch-fuse and shower unit, to supply the shower. Which is a daft expense, when it's almost the cost in materials as providing an updated CU, which would provide superior protection for all of the house circuits, as well as providing a means of supplying the new shower.

Either that way, or splitting the tails again and install a second CU and providing the loft circuits from this new CU. Neither of these options make much sense against the advantages of an up-dated House CU, least of all a numpty 5+ way CU in the loft bedroom!!

I have no idea what codes you use for this and that!! What that has to do with things isn't the point!! There are right ways of doing things and then there are way's that some will try to get out of doing things the right way!! I'm not saying they violate the Reg's, but are still a pig's ear of an electrical installation!! And as i see it a further downturn in the standard of work that's being advised and carried out these days in the UK

so as far as i see it then, theres nothing actually electrically wrong with the way dave has suggested to do this job.
the rest is down to personal apinions, i think sometimes in this industry if its not the norm people automaticlly think its wrong!

 

[Engineer54]

so as far as i see it then, theres nothing actually electrically wrong with the way dave has suggested to do this job.
the rest is down to personal apinions, i think sometimes in this industry if its not the norm people automaticlly think its wrong!

As i said, if you think advising on a pig's installation is fine, rather than doing things right, your confirming what i stated above!!

There are right and wrong ways to do any electrical work, all hopefully will be electrically safe. But only the right ways, at the end of the day, will serve the installations best interests...

 

[jase]

You dont have 2b qualified 2 do the testing. The NIC are interested in who installs the cables not who does the 2nd fix.

In that case then a rewire should only take a couple of days, just do all the chasing put a the wiring in, and leave the customer with a box of fittings and some blank test sheets!!!

 

[mackers]

As i said, if you think advising on a pig's installation is fine, rather than doing things right, your confirming what i stated above!!

There are right and wrong ways to do any electrical work, all hopefully will be electrically safe. But only the right ways, at the end of the day, will serve the installations best interests...

i agree there is right and wrong way but if its within the regs then its within the regs meaning its allowed!
cu at mains end cu in loft area same differance if wired correctly.wether its right or wrong once again down to opinion, i've seen alot worse things than that in my time! LOL

 

[highspark]

This loft CU strange to me. Never came across it tbh. The main thing I think is unpractical is sending a 16mm cable up there have you ever tried getting a 10mm easily? It's a joke never mind a 16mm

 

[Engineer54]

i agree there is right and wrong way but if its within the regs then its within the regs meaning its allowed!
cu at mains end cu in loft area same differance if wired correctly.wether its right or wrong once again down to opinion, i've seen alot worse things than that in my time! LOL

You haven't grasped it yet, being allowed doesn't make it right!!!

No, not the same difference at all, One CU is where it should be located, the other where it definitely should NOT be located!!! This is nothing to do with opinion, just right and wrong ways of installing an installation, that will serve the installations best interests!!!

We've all see far worse than this, but 2 wrongs have never made a right!!

 

[jase]

what about in a hotel where each room has its own cu?