UK New consumer unit required for updated kitchen

[user7743]

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

Are there parts that would fit this board?

 

[littlespark]

Altering existing circuits is one thing, but adding new circuits would require upgrade to current standards. It’s new work. Has to be to 18th amdmt2…. Meaning SPD and fire retardant enclosure.

Electrician requires 2 new circuits, for hob and oven, so existing board doesn’t have enough spare ways anyway.

 

[timhoward]

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

Before changing a board, an installation should be tested to determine exactly that.
On the face of it, your installation doesn't look complex - a couple of lighting circuits, a couple of socket circuits, a garage board and an immersion/boiler.
It really wouldn't take long to test that and find out. A couple of global IR tests, check the rings are intact, check the lighting circuits are earthed to the end. Check the garage and immersion circuits. If it hasn't been modified much in the past then there's a good chance it is all serviceable.
If I turned up to do a landlord inspection at a house that had your your current board I'd be pleased it all looked logical!

Electrician requires 2 new circuits, for hob and oven, so existing board doesn’t have enough spare ways anyway.

There would in fact be 2 spare on right once the redundant door bell transformer MCB is removed.
But I agree, by the time external SPD is added, Type A RCBO's fitted, the faff factor has built up considerably and honestly a new board is simplest.

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?

It already has RCD protection at source (though type AC not A). Changing the board would fix that, it's a nice new cable, and as long as the other end isn't falling to bits with live parts exposed and is safe I'd be quite happy to reconnect that in a new board. Again, pre-testing would determine this beyond doubt.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

I'm with @goasis on this one. Assuming parts are available I personally see no good reason to replace the board. In fact, unless manufacturers call for dedicated circuits, both appliances could probably go on the same standard 32A cooker circuit.

I'm usually reluctant to push for a new board when the existing one will do. It adds £500+ to the job for the customer, and then you never know if the next amendment of the regs will make it obsolete.

 

[davesparks]

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

They must certify any work they carry out, if they don't then they aren't complying with the wiring regulations or the building regulations.

There is no regulatory reason why the new cir uits cannot be installed in the consumer unit you have.
However we have only seen a tiny snapshot of the installation whereas your electrician has seen the whole thing and knows far more than we do, there could be other factors affecting their decision on replacing the CU. Ask them to explain why they feel it is necessary to replace it and why they feel it would not be possible to certify their work if they connect to the existing one.


In your second picture the lid of the CU is incorrectly fitted, if it is just like that because it has been unscrewed to take the pictures then that's OK. But if that lid doesn't fit properly and stays in that position all the time due to it being damaged etc then it needs to be fixed as a matter of urgency.

 

[goasis]

Altering existing circuits is one thing, but adding new circuits would require upgrade to current standards. It’s new work. Has to be to 18th amdmt2…. Meaning SPD and fire retardant enclosure.

Electrician requires 2 new circuits, for hob and oven, so existing board doesn’t have enough spare ways anyway.

There are 3 spare ways available with a bit of re jigging. You wouldn't add a new circuit to any cu that wasn't fire retardant?