Melting CU

[llywelyn111]

Hi,

Just dropped a friend off at his new place after a game of golf (rented and moved in three days ago) His wife came out to say she could smell slight burning when in the hall. I popped in with him for a look.

As soon as I walked in I knew it was the CU being hot. The CU had started to melt above the neutral bar. The main neutral was a bit loose. It is a 12 way wylex board 100amp incomer with MCB's and two RCBO's one for down stairs ring and a 40a RCBO for the shower. The board now does need replacing as you can get your fingers around it and the neutral bar can be seen.

The wiring is just very untidy from what I saw in the board and I wouldn't fancy putting my name to it.

He called his landlord and explained the issue, the landlord wants me to change the board for him. Water is bonded 6mm (no other services) I told the landlord that the wiring is very amateur. He then said can't you just put back exactly what is there now without upgrading to the 17th edition board.

I love Sundays. How simple life would be if we could do this

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Don't overcomplicate things! Just change the board like for like, and get paid. Simples!

 

[llywelyn111]

This was my first reaction but I'm just not sure if this is OK?

 

[telectrix]

what's the earthing arrangement? if it's TT or TN-S, you can probably get away with 6mm bonding, as long as it's in good condition.

 

[nickblake]

Just be a spark change the boiard make sure the bondings up to scratch and dont forget to torque your connections job done

 

[llywelyn111]

Earthing is TN-S, the water is only about 5 meters away so would be not too bad to change to 10mm if it gave a slightly high continuity reading

 

[steveberry11]

If i were you do it correct 1st time as the landlord will jump on you at the first sign of any future problems.
If its right no problems putting your name to it.

 

[Dave 85]

Lol I got a call about a melting CU today....must be something in the water....
Bit bloody silly that you can put the same type of board back on and not do any rectifying but if you put a better safer board on you gotta do it.....
6mm bonding on a TNS is adequate in my opinion.

 

[llywelyn111]

Lol I got a call about a melting CU today....must be something in the water....
Bit bloody silly that you can put the same type of board back on and not do any rectifying but if you put a better safer board on you gotta do it.....
6mm bonding on a TNS is adequate in my opinion.

I just never have 6mm earth in the van only 10mm

Don't think the landlord will want it upgrading just replacing like for like.

 

[Octopus]

Replacing the CU is simply "maintenance"!

 

[KFH]

It is an emergency repair and from what I can remember the rules become slightly relaxed on this point, try the ESC guidelines for CU replacement. I think you can do the replacement and mention any shortcomings on the EICR. But I would check the guidelines as my memory is in need of emergency repair as well.

 

[Plonker 3]

It is an emergency repair and from what I can remember the rules become slightly relaxed on this point, try the ESC guidelines for CU replacement. I think you can do the replacement and mention any shortcomings on the EICR. But I would check the guidelines as my memory is in need of emergency repair as well.

Afraid not. Section 7.3 applies

 

[jdd]

EICR, only way forward mate. If you energize undetected dangerous circuits and something happens... The customer will quite within his rights point his finger at you and say "Yes your honour, that was electrician who did the work!" and he will forget instantly that you were trying to do him a favour / save him some cash. In law you're the competent person.

 

[llywelyn111]

EICR, only way forward mate. If you energize undetected dangerous circuits and something happens... The customer will quite within his rights point his finger at you and say "Yes your honour, that was electrician who did the work!" and he will forget instantly that you were trying to do him a favour / save him some cash. In law you're the competent person.

I am going to do a EICR, it will be a very long list. I don't think it's too awful. Just being very untidy make's it look worse, of what I saw in the CU anyway.

Might just change my mobile number, golf club and hide

 

[KFH]

Thanks to DILB for finding the correct bit of the guidance. But it does say the bonding has to be adequate see question 12. If the circuits are dangerous I agree you don't reconnect. The guidance on CU replacement guidance also says that the electricity distributors may require bonding in excess of BS7671! You can also give the adiabatic a go as proof the 6mm is adequate. You could also do some searching on the requirements for landlords and electrical safety, I don't have the sites off hand. From my obviously faulty memory there are a few good legal bits in various guidance documents for landlords that you can use to show the landlord why he needs to pay to have it done properly. Good luck.