Cable routing inside a consumer unit

[Andy Hames]

Hi

First post and I'm a DIY-er so apologies if this is the wrong forum to start with.

I have a project at the moment that involves replacing a consumer unit. I've arranged for a proper inspection and certification down the line but in the mean time I have made a start on getting the circuits wired in where I can.

This is where I'm up to so far:

and this shows better how the wiring is routed:

I know some of the sheathing on the incoming cables is probably a bit long, but they may move so I've kept a bit of excess. Likewise the neutral and earths are looped as shown to maintain some excess.

The question I have is, is there anything particularly wrong with that routing?

I wasn't sure if it was best for the cables coming from the top to drop straight down and the ones from the bottom to go straight up, or if they should be routed along the bottom and up the sides, e.g. the single one there at the moment, would the earth be better going all the way to the left along the bottom and then up the left hand side, and the live and neutral the same but to the right?

Oh, last thing - this is the bigger picture:

I've added an isolator, looking at it now I think the meter tails should probably be shortened a bit, or at least clipped out the way.

Any advice guys, or anything else that stands out that needs resolving?

Thanks...

 

[brianmoooore]

Used to be a reg that the number of spurs off of a RFC had to be equal to or less than the number of sockets on the RFC. Does this still exist?

 

[ipf]

The rest will be done by a someone who recently completed their electricians training, they will also be doing some of the testing.

This isn't the same person as I previously mentioned who has more experience and is better qualified.

Doesn't seem to have much experience to me if they've only just completed their training. What training?

 

[timhoward]

Used to be a reg that the number of spurs off of a RFC had to be equal to or less than the number of sockets on the RFC. Does this still exist?

(14th edition)
John Ward said in a video somewhere that this is no longer the case and I'm not aware of it from 16th edition onwards.
I think it's now condensed to "a ring final circuit, with or without unfused spurs" and the appendix doesn't stipulate either.

 

[DPG]

I think we can conclude that the OP is going to carry on regardless.

 

[littlespark]

Go away for two days wondering how this was going to pan out.
Hadn't contributed up til now, but read with interest.

I did think on day 1, this thread isnt going to last long.

 

[Andy Hames]

I've been away and haven't had a chance to post an update but I have made changes.

The 2.5 radial is now on a 16A MCB.

Cables entering the CU are 1 circuit per grommet with no visible gap between the cable outer sheath and the grommet membrane.

Tails and earth cables are retained with metal banding. The service head, meter and CU are to be enclosed in a cabinet which has always been the plan.

The cables running up the wall in the trunking were already also retained with metal banding screwed to the wall at intervals not exceeding 400mm, which is also the method of retention in the walls before being plastered over.

Also checked the main fuse rating is 60A as I recalled.

 

[mainline]

My main concern would be is that it's energised without any proper testing being done.

 

[Andy Hames]

My main concern would be is that it's energised without any proper testing being done.

I don't disagree - there's currently nobody in the property, I'm only doing any work at all on the basis that the homeowner has it tested by a qualified electrician before they move in.

 

[westward10]

I don't disagree - there's currently nobody in the property, I'm only doing any work at all on the basis that the homeowner has it tested by a qualified electrician before they move in.

Is the home owner actually aware that you are not a competent person and are expecting them to arrange for someone to test and certify it.

 

[Andy Hames]

Is the home owner actually aware that you are not a competent person and are expecting them to arrange for someone to test and certify it.

Yes, 100%

I'm not claiming to be qualified or able to say it's all correct or anything like that. The home owner has bought the property to modernise (on a tight budget) and I've said I'll help as long as it's checked over. I wouldn't want his wife and kid in there until then.

To be honest, if left to him it would be lethal...

 

[westward10]

In my opinion you should leave well alone no self respecting electrician would sign off someone else's work especially one who is not competent.