Retro fitting of dedicated fuse on main "board" (4 flat conversion)

[paulbriggs]

Folks

I previously had this under the theory and regs forum which I suspect was the wrong place for it - apologies for that. I think it's more applicable here.

I live on the first floor in a 4 flat conversion late Victorian / Edwardian terraced property in Crystal Palace SE19.

Recently, I had flickering lights so ukpowernetworks came to inspect, and with my flat under full load (everything turned on), the voltage was measured at 223V (within "harmonised" limits).
He also looked at my consumer unit, said it was very old, and that this could be the cause of the flickering. Whether this is the case or not, I think it's about time I got a modern one fitted with RCD, and get the earthing etc. checked while I am at it. I can also get a separate spur fitted for the sockets serving my hifi equipment while they are at it. The will be done by a certified installer in the next week or two.

However, while he was checking the main distribution board for the building (in a cupboard in the hallway) he noticed that I am on a shared fuse with the flat downstairs. The same is true of the two flats above me (2nd and 3rd floor). The only supply which has a dedicated fuse is that of the landlord (sockets and lights in shared parts).

He commented that this was not good practice and was a shortcut made to save money when the flats were converted (20 years or more ago ?). Both the people I've contacted for quotes on the consumer unit replacement agree.

As someone who runs hifi, I already know this is really not a good situation to be in. I get switching noise, and presumably everything else that the flat below is dumping on to the shared supply ?

When I contacted ukpowernetworks to see what could be done about fitting a dedicated fuse for my flat (there's even a space on the board...), they said that because the layout of the existing fittings is very dated, it would require a total overhaul at great cost (Ryefield board etc), and that this would require each and every other flats supply to be re-connected and re-certified.

This wouldn't be such an issue were it not for the fact that the chances of the freeholder for the building "voluntarily" paying for works which they see as "unnecessary" is likely zero. They will undoubtedly argue that all flats have a safe and constant mains supply, whether cheaply installed, "noisy" or not, and will have no interest whatsoever in getting dedicated fuses. I'm more than happy to pay a resonable commercial rate plus parts for my supply alone to be done (and can't imagine they would mind that), but not for "huge amounts" of work for all the other supplies that ukpowernetworks have suggested.

And in any case, I am at a bit of a loss as to why all this work is required anyway - or are they fobbing me off / discouraging me from having it done ? If the existing system is retrospectively considered "safe" by the network provider, who came and upgraded the bus bar a little while ago, then why can't an additional fuse just be bolted on to the board and applicable connections re-routed to it and my meter (by their people if legally required) ?

I've enclosed some photos and would be extremely grateful if someone could offer any thoughts on this.

Photo 1: Left to right: Landlord meter (partially visible) / Ground floor flat meter / First floor flat meter / Second floor flat meter / Third floor flat meter

Photo 2: Left to right: Landlord meter / Ground floor flat meter / First floor flat meter / Second floor flat meter (partially visible)

Photo 3: Left to right: Ground floor flat meter (partially visible) / First floor flat meter / Second floor flat meter / Third floor flat meter

Photo 4: Detail of cables at foot



I'm told that the 4 grey fuse boxes numbered 1, 2, 3, and 0 are as follows (left to right)

1: Landlord (dedicated)

2: Ground floor + 1st floor flats (shared)

3: 2nd floor + 3rd floor flats (shared)

0: Neutral

Best




Paul Briggs