moving consumer unit help

[Welshsparky]

Been asked to move a consumer unit by a local estate agent as ( believe it or not ) its tucked behind a kitchen unit , only accessible by taking part of the kitchen out! , it's an old rewire able fuse board , if I am to move it, would I be required to change it to an updated rcd protected version? Or if the fuse boards still in good shape could I re-use?

 

[Heroicc]

Just get it in!

 

[Guest55]

Been asked to move a consumer unit by a local estate agent as ( believe it or not ) its tucked behind a kitchen unit , only accessible by taking part of the kitchen out! , it's an old rewire able fuse board , if I am to move it, would I be required to change it to an updated rcd protected version? Or if the fuse boards still in good shape could I re-use?

if the new cables used to extend the existing circuits are buried less than 50mm in the wall then rcd protection will be required.
if in surface trunking or similar , then no rcd is required and you can re-use the rewirable CU.
there is no requirement to install a new rcd CU just because youre moving the old one.

 

[somersetsparks]

In the highly unlikely event I could move it without extending any cables, I would. i.e. undo fixing screws, swing it over a couple foot and refix. However chances of that are slim to zilch.

 

[Guitarist]

if the new cables used to extend the existing circuits are buried less than 50mm in the wall then rcd protection will be required.
if in surface trunking or similar , then no rcd is required and you can re-use the rewirable CU.
there is no requirement to install a new rcd CU just because youre moving the old one.

Disagree. Moving it is reinstalling it, once you disconnect/reconnect circuits. As such, it will not comply with the regs. Additionally, an upfront RCD cannot be fitted either if compliance is required.

 

[Guest55]

As such, it will not comply with the regs.

which ones ?

 

[ratkins]

Disagree. Moving it is reinstalling it, once you disconnect/reconnect circuits. As such, it will not comply with the regs. Additionally, an upfront RCD cannot be fitted either if compliance is required.

Guys I seem to remember that if you are moving and extending circuits then the whole installation needs to be brought up to date. Now from my dealings with the old 3036 fuses there was a fair few of lighting circuits that had no earth so these would need rewiring. Also putting a rcd at source doesn't comply with the 17th .

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Guys I seem to remember that if you are moving and extending circuits then the whole installation needs to be brought up to date. Now from my dealings with the old 3036 fuses there was a fair few of lighting circuits that had no earth so these would need rewiring. Also putting a rcd at source doesn't comply with the 17th .

what does it say in BS7671....
where does it say that cable not incorporating a CPC is a non-conformance?..
dont bother looking kid caus it dont
what it does say is there has to be a CPC available at every point on the circuit...
this can take the form of containment, a cable incorporating a CPC or seperate CPC for points served...
if the case was that the cable didn`t incorperate a CPC then the best way forward would be to IR the existing cable....if this proves to be good for continued service then a seperate CPC (min 4mm) can be pulled in to serve points on this circuit....

 

[stuartcourt]

I have to say I have never moved an old 3036 board and not replaced it, seems alot of work to do not to upgrade but regulation ?

 

[Guest55]

I have to say I have never moved an old 3036 board and not replaced it, seems alot of work to do not to upgrade but regulation ?

thats because bs7671 recognises that a rewirable CU is a perfectly acceptable piece of equipment to use rather than use it as an excuse to fleece unsuspecting customers.

 

[stuartcourt]

I agree one hundred percent but have you moved one more than an inch or so and not replaced

 

[GLENNSPARK]

thats because bs7671 recognises that a rewirable CU is a perfectly acceptable piece of equipment to use rather than use it as an excuse to fleece unsuspecting customers.

yes and if theres any doubt as to its suitability for continued service...then a visual inspection + PFC would confirm....either way...

 

[Guest55]

A couple of times , but i dont do much domestic these days.

i'm not saying a new rcd Cu isnt a better option , i'm saying its not a mandatory requirement.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

well this is the reason why BS7671 takes the view that it does Biff.....as otherwise there would be this `hard sell` going on all over the place....
not to say it doesn`t go on as is...

 

[stuartcourt]

agreed I will give option from now on, I unfortunately do a lot of domestic these days :93:

 

[Guest55]

agreed I will give option from now on, I unfortunately do a lot of domestic these days :93:

90% of customers will go for a new CU if they can afford it , so it wont be too much of an issue.
it just needs to be justified for the right reasons in my op.