UK New consumer unit required for updated kitchen

[user7743]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of having my kitchen refurbished and I'm looking for advice on my current setup as I have been told that I will require a new consumer unit in order to connect the new induction hob and oven.
The oven requires 16a and the hob is 7.2kw

It looks like he intends put both appliances on their own circuit

He's only happy to issue a certificate if a new consumer unit is installed

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Dustydazzler]

You have a spare fuse way on the RCD side so it is probably possible to do the job with some re-hashing of the board you already have there.

But I do know quite a few kitchen sparks who are really an@l about putting all appliances over 13amps on there own circuits which almost always means the home owner shelling out a much bigger new consumers unit

 

[loz2754]

The RCD in your consumer unit is a type AC and is no longer considered suitable for general use, since Amendment 2 of the wiring regulations last year. Also, there is the cumulative earth leakage to consider with RCD protecting several circuits. I also would be recommending a new consumer unit before making any alterations or additions.

 

[Dustydazzler]

You can leave the existing board as is , and ask him to fit a smaller board next to it just for the new kitchen install

 

[goasis]

There is space in your current unit, even if it means buying a new bit of busbar and a couple of rcbo's

 

[Dustydazzler]

There is space in your current unit, even if it means buying a new bit of busbar and a couple of rcbo's

If you are going to do that then I would just buy a new board

 

[littlespark]

Some electricians just prefer to add a new board rather than touching anything on the old system… which absolves them from any future issues elsewhere in the house.

“My upstairs lights have gone off… you were the last one to work in there!!!”

Any new board, either replacement or addition will have to be up to the latest standards concerning being fire retardant and include an SPD… and maybe future proofed for an EV charger at some point.

 

[Intoelectrics]

Some electricians just prefer to add a new board rather than touching anything on the old system… which absolves them from any future issues elsewhere in the house.

“My upstairs lights have gone off… you were the last one to work in there!!!”

How many times have we all been there!

I fitted a consumer unit a few years back, just over a month later the client called to complain that her fridge freezer had stopped working.
I was perplexed as to why she thought it was anything I had done. She said "I've had that fridge freezer for years and it has been fine until you changed the fuse board" I explained that what I had done had no bearing on her fridge to stop working over a month later. She was having non of it, saying no one else had been to do any work since so it must!! have been what I had done.

She went on to rant saying she was going to take legal action if I didn't come immediately to fix/replace the fridge. Needless to say, after that call I never heard from her again.

 

[user7743]

Thanks for the replies.

He did say that it possible to adapt the old board but wouldn't issue a certificate for it.

And I fully understand bringing the board upto date but just wonder a little of what other issues might found

For example the garage has a small very old consumer unit in there. Is it possible he could say that this also needs bringing up to date?

 

[goasis]

If you are going to do that then I would just buy a new board

2 rcbos plus a busbar, around £60, new fuseboard installed, testing etc not really comparable price wise