UK First consumer unit change.

[Raptor0014]

Did my first consumer unit change yesterday.
A few dodgy things with the old board as I’m sure most will see.

Owner wanted bringing up to date with individual circuit RCD protection and surge protection.

So fitted a Fusebox 10 way RCBO board. Complete with surge protection.

Also removed the bell transformer that was being fed from a hole directly in the side of the CU and put the cooker cable into some conduit as the owner didn’t want it chasing in. I didn’t think it wise to leave it draping over the top of the CU like it was previously!

Any feedback is welcome as I’m always happy to learn from the more experienced amongst the forum.

Only thing I couldn’t seem to rectify is the slight leaning of the RCBOs/Main switch. No matter what I did as soon as I torqued everything up on the busbar it moved slightly.

One of the RCBO was a tad close on testing as you can see on the pic. But a pass is a pass and I tested that both at the board and at a socket (was on a Ring Final).

Anyhoo here are some pics.

 

[SJD]

Re the RCBO test result, I generally find Fusebox RCBOs very consistent. Sometimes I can test a whole board and get pretty much exactly the same result for each one. Did you test it at the board, or possibly at an outlet (if a socket circuit) with load also connected?

 

[mattg4321]

That's a decent job, well done.

Much better than my first CU change, probably getting on for 500 now I think!

I would always use the modular blanks rather than the ones that slot into the cover though.

 

[telectrix]

neat work. little signs of bare conductors on outgoing side of MCBs, and thet 10mm bonding conductor looped below the MCBs is a bit untidy. however, it's as good as I would do anyway. ?

 

[Raptor0014]

neat work. little signs of bare conductors on outgoing side of MCBs, and thet 10mm bonding conductor looped below the MCBs is a bit untidy. however, it's as good as I would do anyway. ?

That’s not a bonding conductor. It’s the earth from the SPD which comes out the bottom of it. So there is no other way to install it. ?

 

[Raptor0014]

Re the RCBO test result, I generally find Fusebox RCBOs very consistent. Sometimes I can test a whole board and get pretty much exactly the same result for each one. Did you test it at the board, or possibly at an outlet (if a socket circuit) with load also connected?

As per post. I tested both at socket and at the board. Got the same result both times and nothing was plugged in as I left everything unplugged from test the ring.

All the others were mid-high 20s. Just this one was right on the cusp.

 

[pc1966]

Looks smart, well done!

 

[James]

Nice job.
as mentioned before, I am also not a fan of push fit blanks, far prefer the manufacturers own ones that clip into the board like a dummy mcb.

looks neat, tests out ok.
WIN WIN in my book.

 

[Flanders]

Nice job . Regards the rcd test . Did you check if there was any load on the circuit because if there was it can give you false results. Fridges still plugged into circuits are always favourite for giving high rcd reading. I always try and test rcds before connecting the outgoing circuits .

 

[Lister1987]

Tidy job

 

[westward10]

Not sure I would have that 6.0 on a 40A as it is contained in conduit.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I always try and test rcds before connecting the outgoing circuits .

Do you mean that, it test the RCD, but does not test the circuit will be protected by the RCD, or am I missing something?

 

[telectrix]

That’s not a bonding conductor. It’s the earth from the SPD which comes out the bottom of it. So there is no other way to install it. ?

apologies then. 9/10 then. some of my past work is only worth a 6/10. ( might have been a friday asfternoon after a few pints at lunch time ????)

 

[telectrix]

Do you mean that, it test the RCD, but does not test the circuit will be protected by the RCD, or am I missing something?

most will say to test RCD without circuit/s connected. this eliminates any interference from circuits or connected items. it's purely a test of the RCD. however, testing at a connected socket is more "real life" situation. jury is out. maybe we should have a poll. i'd start one if i knew how.

 

[Mike Johnson]

To start a Poll you buy him a couple of schnapps and then start a conversation about the royal family.

 

[Midwest]

Nice one. Surprised Westward didn't pick you up on your earth sleeving though!

And by the way, I wondered where my level went.

 

[westward10]

Nice one. Surprised Westward didn't pick you up on your earth sleeving though!

And by the way, I wondered where my level went.

Tempted?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Wait till you fit one under half a meter inside a utity cupboard, then you will struggle, you need to be halfman and half dwaf. Lol.

 

[timhoward]

Very tidy job - well done. BTW looking at first photo of new board did you originally have it too close to the ceiling to get the cover on ;-) Most of us have similar at some point!

I have a Fusebox board sitting here - I'm fitting one tomorrow for the first time.
I'm impressed with it so far. The cover has screw catchers, the knock outs actually knock out, and it feels very solid. It's also a nice size to replace a 6 module rewireable Wylex if space is limited.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Dare I ask how you managed to fit the new tails, Isolator already there???

 

[MJPD29]

Good job. Better than many do after 30 years.

 

[Flanders]

Do you mean that, it test the RCD, but does not test the circuit will be protected by the RCD, or am I missing something?

Yes you only need to test the rcd for the rcd results, that way you get a clean result. The circuit is not relevant for the rcd test

 

[Midwest]

I always RCD test at the end of the circuit. Its a live test, and its a safety device that should be tested in full. If I recall there's some manufactures who recommend testing at source, but I would be more confident testing at outlet. Each to their own.

 

[buzzlightyear]

My nicic test engineer says you don't need to test at the end of circuit just test at source.but always will.

 

[loz2754]

The MEM add on RCD pods, MR30s don't like being tested at the board. They refuse to trip when tested. Apart from these, I always test RCDs at the board, preferably with no load connected.
But I also like to do a test at the other end of the circuit for good measure.

 

[Mike Johnson]

It's an interesting point, testing the RCD to ensure it operates is one thing, but in reality it must be tested with the circuit intact to ensure it does its job from the other end, discuss, perhaps we ought to take this to the Arms?

 

[telectrix]

Dare I ask how you managed to fit the new tails, Isolator already there???

i have 2 alternatives.dependent on the condition of the dNO fuse assembly, and presence of seals.

1.Pull fuse . Still need to cut seals on meter or fit Henlys. .
2. Cut meter seals. ensure no load on installation. remove tails from meter (live). This negates the need to touch the DNO fuse. Safer IMHO. it's how we done it back in the 15th. then a tongue in cheek call to the supplier, say i notice your meter seals are missing.or fit non-standard seals courtesy of ebay.

had one t'other week where meter fitter had broke one of the slots in a meter terminal screw. took ages to rag the screw out using sharp precision sidecutters . new slot made with junior hacksaw. good as new.

 

[Soi disant]

[picky]B40 first on the busbar, not last.[/picky]

 

[Raptor0014]

Not sure I would have that 6.0 on a 40A as it is contained in conduit.

It isn't. The cooker is on a 32a. It is in conduit for approx 1.2m then is clipped direct to the skirting board before chased into the wall to the socket (don't ask, I didn't install it! ?) Total length of the cable is approx 2.5m to the switch then approx 1.5m to the cooker terminal.

I worked out the load as it is a 7.43kw cooker.

So taking diversity into account the 6.0 & 32A is more than sufficient as it is 10A +30% of remainder (22.3a) = 16.69a + 5A for the plug socket on the switch = 21.69A.

6mm in conduit is rated to 38A & 34A once in the wall. So it's well within spec.

The 6.0 40A is supplying the garage and that is clipped direct.?

 

[westward10]

[picky]B40 first on the busbar, not last.[/picky]

Can you give a valid reason for this.