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.

 

[Raptor0014]

That’ll do it then....can I ask why type a on lights and cooker etc?

Client is a bit of a tech geek and has loads of smart lighting, LCD digital controls on the cooker etc. So wanted to mitigate (without being too expensive) DC leakage.

 

[loz2754]

Type AC are being phased out it would seem. I only fit type A these days.

 

[nicebutdim]

Can you give a valid reason for this.

I'd always understood that highest loads should be placed closest to source of supply and accepted that without question. In the last few years I've read opinions that suggest there is no reason to do this and that it is better to populate a board by ensuring higher loads are separated to allow efficient dispersal of heat.

Not really in a position to comment, but the latter makes more sense and I'd be interested to read thoughts on the matter.

 

[telectrix]

I'd always understood that highest loads should be placed closest to source of supply and accepted that without question. In the last few years I've read opinions that suggest there is no reason to do this and that it is better to populate a board by ensuring higher loads are separated to allow efficient dispersal of heat.

Not really in a position to comment, but the latter makes more sense and I'd be interested to read thoughts on the matter.

i agree. i never place 2 High load MCBs adjacent.

 

[Risteard]

Type AC are being phased out it would seem. I only fit type A these days.

Stopped fitting them years ago. I don't personally see any merit in fitting Type AC anymore. For no (or minimal) extra cost with many brands it's a no brainer. That said, the FuseBox ones are substantially dearer than their Type AC, but thankfully I think they might be withdrawing the Type AC. There are neutral switching Type A compacts with FuseBox - so these are what I use when using that brand (although they are dearer).

 

[Soi disant]

it was realised about 30 yearsa go that the electricity did not leak out proportionaelyt to the length of the busbar

Does drop away though.

Admittedly not by very much......

 

[telectrix]

Does drop away though.

Admittedly not by very much......

youse bin counting electrons again? ?

 

[Soi disant]

I tried, but it got me all in a spin.

 

[Flanders]

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.

Yes correct the only way to test them at the board is to connect a short piece of cable to them . So general easy to test them at a socket on the circuit .

 

[Dave OCD]

For a first CU change that really is very good - as others have said, it's much neater than a heck of a lot out there done by very experienced electricians. It's really encouraging to see that there are younger tradesmen out there with a really good attitude , well done.

 

[Raptor0014]

For a first CU change that really is very good - as others have said, it's much neater than a heck of a lot out there done by very experienced electricians. It's really encouraging to see that there are younger tradesmen out there with a really good attitude , well done.

Thank you

Wouldn’t say I was younger though. I’m 43 this year ?

I just chose to have a different career previously before having a complete change of direction.
It helps I suppose that I am OCD. ?

 

[Dave OCD]

Ah well still younger than me. ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

The key to keeping mcbs,rcbos etc straight and avoiding the slant is a torque clamp costing around a tenner. Tighten them up woth this applied and they stay straight

 

[Raptor0014]

The key to keeping mcbs,rcbos etc straight and avoiding the slant is a torque clamp costing around a tenner. Tighten them up woth this applied and they stay straight

Do you happen to have a link for one? Only ones I can seem to find are too big for a CU.

 

[telectrix]

Do you happen to have a link for one? Only ones I can seem to find are too big for a CU.