Replacing Consumer Unit

[Fitzy]

Tomorrow I’m changing my consumer unit in preparation for my NICEIC assessment on 13th November and have a few queries.

Firstly, current cu only has 4 circuits sockets up & down and lights up & down, so hopefully a pretty straight forward swap.

I can unplug 95% of loads on both ring finals, except for the oven and the boiler, both of which have LCD/LED displays. So when it comes to doing the insulation resistance test, would the 500v dc test damage either of these appliances LCD’s or LED’s? The oven and hob ignitor are connected behind the kitchen units.

Also, upstairs we have GU10 spot lights on the landing and bathroom, can’t remove them to do the R1+R2 test as they’re very tight and as we only rent, I can’t cause any damage to the ceiling. So would it be ok to just do the R1+R2 on the final light fitting in the rear bedroom or should I try to find the spots wiring in the loft?

 

[ackbarthestar]

Good Grief!
Black copex clipped around the wall?

I am on the right forum, arn't I?

 

[MFS Electrical]

Does that still apply when doing Periodic Inspections?
It's been a while! My most recent Reg books are green.

It does indeed

 

[Toneyz]

Well I’ve just found that the earth bonding cable under the sink isn’t even connected, it’s just a single piece of 4/6mm earth cable hanging loose. So I’m gonna have to run a new 10mm earth bonding cable externally around the house to the kitchen. Would it be ok to use black copex clipped to the walls?

I probably say it would not contraveane any regs but only you know what it would look like and has the landlord agreed to this?
This isn't cross bonding between hot and cold. What is at the consumer unit or MET?

 

[Toneyz]

Well I’ve just found that the earth bonding cable under the sink isn’t even connected, it’s just a single piece of 4/6mm earth cable hanging loose. So I’m gonna have to run a new 10mm earth bonding cable externally around the house to the kitchen. Would it be ok to use black copex clipped to the walls?

Answer.
I probably say it would not contravene any regs but only you know what it would look like and has the landlord agreed to this?
This isn't cross bonding between hot and cold. What is at the consumer unit or MET?

 

[telectrix]

BG RCBOs are even cheaper at Screwfix ..... £11.99.

not the compact ones, they are £24 at screwfix.

 

[Fitzy]

So, I’ve got the new board fitted and some of the tests completed, but as I envisaged, there are a few faults.

It’s a TNC-S.

Downstairs sockets, no continuity on L & N, 0.53 on cpc. Tested the L at sockets coming away from cu using my wander lead, all sockets in living room and in to the dinning room and in to kitchen all have continuity until I reach the opposite side of dinning room and first single socket, no continuity on same leg as other sockets, but has continuity on other leg of rfc, got 2 more sockets to test on other side of living room which should be on same leg of rfc as single socket in dinning room. Is it possible that these are 2 radial circuits which were in the same fuse on old board?

Upstairs sockets, L 0.26, no continuity on N or cpc, will investigate these tomorrow, along with both light circuits.

 

[Jimmer84]

I’m gonna be doing some testing in the morning before I take old one out.

Hi mate,
make sure you put right all C2’s and resolve any FI’s noted during your pre-installation testing, prior to replacing the board and having your paper work checked over during your assessment. Remember, you have to complete an EIC, and you can’t issue an unsatisfactory EIC to a customer.

 

[BruvDunk]

Always best to do a full test before you swap anything over, you then know what is needed/ required to get things back to where they should be.

Otherwise you will be chasing your tail/ justifying your time and costs to a customer.

 

[Fitzy]

Amongst a few niggling faults I got after changing my consumer unit was that the oven, extractor hood and hob igniter circuit has no power. All cables that were in the old fuse board are fitted in to the new cu and all 4 circuits are working, yet the power to the above appliances is not there. Need to cut hole in back of overhead cabinet to access the double socket that the oven socket is spurred from as it runs behind the wall cabinets and tiles. Yet the only cables that I touched was in the cu and not on the kitchen sockets. Got to do more testing tomorrow and trace the cables. Just angry that this fault occurred.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Amongst a few niggling faults I got ........

Welcome to the hell on Earth that is domestic electrics!
Apply for a job in Industry at the earliest opportunity.

 

[DefyG]

How come as its a rented property, you can change the CU but cant remove a light fitting? If a lamp 'blows' is it the responsibility of the LL to replace it?
Only 4 circuits yet there is an oven connected, without local isolation?
You clearly do not understand the theory behind testing R1+R2! R2 is most important test result to confirm continuity of the cpc.

 

[Ffoeguk]

Fitzy
I think you have opened a can of worms, the fact that you are newly qualified shows. The NICEIC are not going to happy with this job as a assessment for your suitability to be in the NICEIC.
If I were you I would look for another job to take them to, as you have broken all the rules with this effort.
The property in my opinion needs a rewire, the installation is a 1970’s install with alterations by who knows.
Put the visit off and have a rethink!

 

[Fitzy]

Fitzy
I think you have opened a can of worms, the fact that you are newly qualified shows. The NICEIC are not going to happy with this job as a assessment for your suitability to be in the NICEIC.
If I were you I would look for another job to take them to, as you have broken all the rules with this effort.
The property in my opinion needs a rewire, the installation is a 1970’s install with alterations by who knows.
Put the visit off and have a rethink!

Please explain “you’ve broken all the rules with this effort?”

 

[Fitzy]

How come as its a rented property, you can change the CU but cant remove a light fitting? If a lamp 'blows' is it the responsibility of the LL to replace it?
Only 4 circuits yet there is an oven connected, without local isolation?
You clearly do not understand the theory behind testing R1+R2! R2 is most important test result to confirm continuity of the cpc.

The landlord gave me permission to change the fuseboard and I didn’t say I couldn’t remove the light fittings, the oven is plugged in to a double socket behind the oven. After the assessment (fail or pass) I will instal a switched FCU next to the plug the oven & Extractor hood is spurred from to provide a means isolation. Yes, I do understand the theory of the R1+R2 test.

 

[Silly Sausage]

The property in my opinion needs a rewire, the installation is a 1970’s install with alterations by who knows.
Put the visit off and have a rethink!

If it passes IR & Zs tests and there are no C1 or 2s, why shouldn't he do a CU change?