new consumer unit install

[Jamesmck]

hi everyone still quite new at this but confident in myself to do it.

a mate of mine wants a new consumer unit installed, currently he has the old bs88 cartridge fuses 2 3 way boards with an externall RCCB.

can i just simply rip all that out (obviously power will be off and dead tested) and put in a new board was thinking of either an 8 - 10 way as he may be adding new circuits in the near future. adding an RCD. Is it as simple as i think just redoing to wiring by the board. or is a lot more involved than i think?

was thinking of the wylex board as its had some good reviews.

but any information would be very helpful.

Thanks

 

[james the spark]

well it depends how new to this you are have you done a db by yourself before and do you know how to correctly split up circuits, and have you checked gas and water are earthed and such?

 

[Jamesmck]

fairly new, but i have done db's before.

how do you mean split up the circuits? with the RCD? thats another question actually, can i RCD the whole board? as thats what he asked for but i werent sure whether you could or not.

i mean if i need help my ol mans a spark. i just want to do this to build up my confidence even more in doing private jobs.

i havent checked anything out yet i just had a quick look the other day on my way through. I will check that. if its not does that mean im going to have to wire up the bonding through the whole house

thanks for the reply

 

[james the spark]

With the 17th edition db you need to try and get upstairs lights and downstairs sockets on one rcd and the reverse on another rcd and try to evenly balance the load between the two, i wouldn't bother just putting a rcd board in id go for the 17th edition one its just a better job.

 

[kingeri]

Or you could go with all RCBOs. More expensive but the best solution!

 

[Jamesmck]

ah right ok, i found the board you're on about i will go for that, thanks for the reply mate.

i will check out the install for the bonding too.

 

[Jamesmck]

i thought that, but i dont think the guy can afford it, plus wouldnt it be a massive problem from earth leakage? or am I chatting crap. something i heard

 

[telectrix]

wylex 10 way dual RCD board, or similar BG board £50 inc VAT from b&q

 

[Jamesmck]

thanks

 

[telectrix]

if you go for the BG board, beware it has 3 neutral bars. make sure you only use the 2nd and 3rd ones with their respective RCDs. ( unless you want any non-RCD ways, that is.)

 

[james the spark]

And if you go for BG often the neutral terminals are stiff as hell but other than that there an ok db.

 

[Jamesmck]

to be honest looking at the 17th edition board, found it on toolstation, i will probally go down that route now.

thanks for the advice though

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Will you be carrying out the testing yourself?
Make sure to do the basic ones before hand, so you don't have unexpected problems when new board is installed.

 

[telectrix]

also bear in mind, to save cost,, if bonding is 6mm and shows no signs of deterioration, is proven continuous and properly connected, it can usually be left alone if it's TN-S.

 

[Jamesmck]

i wont be testing myself no, i will get someone else in whose qualified.

i will do basic continuity and installation resistance just to eunsure all the cables are ok throughout.

but really thanks guys