Thoughts on moving an existing CU

[littlespark]

Local funeral place is getting a new mortuary fridge unit, and needs some work done.

The CU, just for the room, is high up in the corner, just above the fridge unit. Stupid place to have it, as you need to crawl over the top of the unit to get to it. 2 foot of crawl space, and my dodgy knee. Great.

Board just needs moved along the wall to above the door, everything in surface pvc trunking on wet wall panelling. No trouble extending circuits.
No room elsewhere to put it. Walls are lined with cabinets and other equipment. Above the door is an improvement, just not an ideal working height.

From what I can see, it’s an old Merlin Gerin board, no rcd.

Ideally, would change the board to all RCBO… but I can’t even tell how many circuits are off this board.
Going in on Saturday to PAT their equipment… so I’ll get up on the fridge for a better look.

 

[brianmoooore]

There's a liability issue to consider. Someone up on a chair, resetting something on the CU. Someone charges through the door, All go flying. Injuries are incurred. Who fitted that CU in such a stupid place, contrary to recommendations?

 

[Spoon]

There's a liability issue to consider. Someone up on a chair, resetting something on the CU. Someone charges through the door, All go flying. Injuries are incurred. Who fitted that CU in such a stupid place, contrary to recommendations?

Just make sure the door is open when messing with the CU.. Job done.

 

[OnlQQker]

It's posts like this that inspire my horror movie writing,
I guess at some stage the existing freezer will be off for a bit? That's ok for a few hours as long as nobody opens the fridge door and things start defrosting.

Where are the tails coming in to the existing CU, could you tap into these and add another twin CU?

 

[littlespark]

The supply is from a 32A mcb in the main board, so suspect 4 or 6mm t&e.. might be SWA.

I did ask what happens to the fridges with the power off for a time…

“Just keep the doors shut. Be alright”

Ok, so just like a domestic fridge freezer, then.

 

[telectrix]

why not find a suitable location outside of the room especially as the walls in the room are wet.?

 

[littlespark]

why not find a suitable location outside of the room especially as the walls in the room are wet.?

I did think of this, Tel.
Back to back is the chapel of rest room… (where the door goes) and there’s nothing on the wall.

Could leave it in a corner, but bring it down to a manageable height.


I don’t really know how “wet” the room gets. Nothing is IP rated, no drains on the floor or anything.
I think it’s just been wet wall panelled for ease of cleaning.

 

[davesparks]

why not find a suitable location outside of the room especially as the walls in the room are wet.?

The wall isn't wet, it's clad with waterproof panelling.

 

[OnlQQker]

Wet walls and electricity, crossed with mortuary fridge units and defrosting freezers, makes me wonder if something like this was behind the ideas for the writer of the book Frankenstein.


Mind you if you want to see walking dead people, you only have go shopping for the day in Central Milton Keynes!

 

[littlespark]

Wet walls and electricity, crossed with mortuary fridge units and defrosting freezers, makes me wonder if something like this was behind the ideas for the writer of the book Frankenstein.


Mind you if you want to see walking dead people, you only have go shopping for the day in Central Milton Keynes!

I will not be doing this work in the middle of a lightning storm…

“It’s aliiiiiive!”

 

[pc1966]

I will not be doing this work in the middle of a lightning storm…

“It’s aliiiiiive!”

Not the third switch!

 

[pc1966]

Who fitted that CU in such a stupid place, contrary to recommendations?

So, so, SO many people

My own flat has the CU about 8 feet above the ground, just as you come in the door. It did cross my mind to move it, but a massive job as few other places that are actually more sane near there, and it would also really mean getting the DNO to move the cutout/meter which is also there, or me to fins some means of getting SWA to another place. Opposite side and lower was obvious choice, but fitted wardrobe in bedroom. Sigh.

 

[littlespark]

I think the room had been wired before they thought about where the fridge was going.
Maybe the original unit was only one door, 3 drawers… and they’ve upgraded to twice the size, hence blocking access to the board.

Now they’re upgrading again… slightly larger unit. No more capacity, but around 8 inches wider… more insulation maybe??

The old unit is going up to their other premises. A garage where they keep the limos and 200 odd coffins.

 

[littlespark]

I’m moving the light at some point as well..

Switch is getting blanked off, new fridge is wider and will cover. Hoping I can pull cables up into that trunking to joint. (In a box, not joint in trunking)
Still a working switch at other door.
Wall is brick, so putting things on other side of wall could be messy.

 

[davesparks]

How much time is there between the old unit being removed and the new one being installed?

Or how much time can you negotiate for?