Consumer Unit replacement cables not long enough.

[FatAlan]

Ok, so you have a motley collection of old BS3036 fuse boxes that need to be replaced by a new consumer unit. Existing installation tests all good but the T&E coming out of the wall is spread out and not long enough. What do folks do to extend cables or what’s the recognised best practice to ensure a neat and compliant job? Any pics?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Move the cu to the write height.
Move the wall.
Extend the cable.
Junction boxes.
And the list goes on what would you like to know.

 

[Andy78]

If they all need extending then a dinrail enclosure would be best. Either use dinrail connectors or wago 221 cradles.

 

[Phil Thompson]

Splice line connectors from screwfix are great for 1.5 and 2.5 cables.

 

[Leesparkykent]

@FatAlan post a pic up so we can see what your dealing with.

 

[Midwest]

Connectors and/or rewire initial legs. If its every circuit, separate enclosure as already suggested

 

[FatAlan]

Obsolete VOLED and no RCD. Was on a TT with very high Ze. Couldn’t locate the earth rod and suspect it’s burried under old extension. DNO has now put in a PME connection and Zs now good.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Wheres the PME earth in this picture or am i blind?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Also din connectors as mentioned always my go to method in a metal adaptable box with din rail.

 

[buzzlightyear]

 

[buzzlightyear]

Wheres the PME earth in this picture or am i blin

me to , T #T TO ME.

 

[FatAlan]

Reckon the top box will be ok but the three circuits from below could be extended. Just looking for views on seperate enclosure, and connections really. Extending initial legs not option as classic case of client having loads of work and decorating done without thinking about the electrics until too late

 

[FatAlan]

Wheres the PME earth in this picture or am i blind?

Picture is pre PME

 

[Rpa07]

That good @buzzlightyear is Pre PMT!

 

[Richard Burns]

For only four cables needing to be extended upward I would just put a junction box on the wall at the point of the lower consumer unit and push fit wire connector the cables upward to a new CU at the MEM board position. It hardly justifies the use of a DIN rail enclosure, though it would be neat.

 

[Cid]

Best method is to crimp and heat shrink. Anything else would just look rough.

You could also use the existing box to house wago connectors but it doesn't look like you got much room for that.

 

[Andy78]

I tend to use a lot of 100x50 trunking when doing domestic consumer units, both changes and rewires.
The connections could be housed in there either just in the trunking or in a single box with a blank plate.

It's a useful method to adopt anyway for most jobs as it tidies up all the cables usually, and gives a place to put accessories such as alarm spurs, single sockets, light switches etc

 

[telectrix]

i'd replace lower box with a din rail mad. box, and extend the lower cables with din rail connectors up to new CU where the top box is.

 

[FatAlan]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Half the trouble with this lark is getting familiar with the products out there.

 

[7029 dave]

The bottom cables, is it floor boarded ?, can you pull some slack up.?