Removing redundant 2nd CU | on ElectriciansForums

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pete1801

I just want to get some advice before getting an electrician in, as we don't know any so want to be able to know if we can trust what he's saying.

We've just moved into a new 3 bed house. One master and 2 small bedrooms.

The main CU feeds a 2nd CU upstairs in the 2nd bedroom.
The Setup is thus:

MAIN CU (Downstairs)
6A - Upstairs Lights (Master Bed)
6A - Downstairs Lights
32A - Downstairs Ring Main
32A - Ensuite Shower (via another 32A single breaker CU)
16A - Water Heater (Now Unused terminates at a fused switch in 2nd bedroom)
32A - Upstairs Ring Main (Master Bed) AND Second CU (in 2nd Bedroom)

SECOND CU (2nd Bedroom)
20A - Cable terminates under floor
6A - Upstairs Lights (2nd and 3rd Bedrooms)
16A - Upstairs Ring Main (2nd and 3rd Bedrooms)


We want to get rid of the second CU as it's really in the way and takes up much needed space in a small bedroom.
There are currently 2 feeds from the main CU to the 2nd bed - FEED 1 goes to the 2nd CU. FEED 2 used to feed the old water heater and now terminates at a fused switch in the 2nd bed.

Can I do one of the following? Is so which is best, and what concerns should I have...?:

Plan A
1) Remove FEED 1 entirely, from MAIN CU. Remove wiring, and 2nd CU.
2) Put FEED 2 into a new junction box under the floorboards in 2nd bed. Connect the "Ring Main" cable that currently comes from the 2nd CU. Thus converting the old 16A water heater circuit into a 16A ring main for the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms.
3) Find lighting cables in loft and connect 2nd and 3rd bedroom lights to existing master bedroom lighting circuit.

Plan B
1) Remove FEED 1 from 2nd CU, and discard CU. Put FEED 1 into a new junction box under floorboards in 2nd bed. Connect the "Ring Main" cable that currently comes from the 2nd CU. Thus feeding sockets in all 3 bedrooms from 32A "Upstairs Ring Main" circuit.
2) Put FEED 2 into a new junction box under floorboards in 2nd bed. Connect the "Lighting" cable that currently comes from the 2nd CU. Replace 16A breaker with 6A breaker. Thus converting the old 16A water heater circuit into a 6A lighting circuit for the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms.


Many thanks
 
If I were you I'd consult the competent persons scheme website, find 2 or 3 registered sparkies, invite them round and ask for written estimates, including a summary of what they propose.
 
Post up your approximate location mate, one of us will be somewhere near you I guarantee it.
I don't think there are any rip off merchants on here as we tend to take a dim view of that sort of thing and this is not a job that a DIYer should really be taking on
 
probably plan A
the ring circuit would be then a radial on the immersion heater 16amp fuse cant see a problem only 2 bedrooms
dont forget to get equipotential bonding checked and upgraded if required

sorry missed first bit about not knowing a sparky
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I just want to get some advice before getting an electrician in, as we don't know any so want to be able to know if we can trust what he's saying.
And you trust unknown people on the internet. Fancy meeting me in the park at midnight away from the lights?
 
Messing about aside.

From what you describe the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] CU sounds a real bodge up. A good electrician would be your best answer.

It can be replaced by:

Extending the ring that serves the master bedroom to encompass the other bedrooms.
Extending the lighting from the master bedroom to the other bedrooms.

Neither of which should involve a great deal of disturbance to the décor.

Post your general location, someone on here may be near by.

It won’t be me, I’m a retired industrial electrician so I’ve nothing to gain by promoting these lads.
 
It’s annoying to find a thread that’s been posted on another board. If you don’t like the answers given on one board it’s up to you.
Don’t try to play one against the other.

Employ an electrician that will give a definitive answer!
 

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