Elec meter move/New Consumer Unit

[dom]

I know this is a topic often covered on uk.d-i-y, but I can't see an answer to the specifics of what I want do:

As it is now: Old chapel I'm converting to a home. Incomer on overhead wires. TN-C-S (PME) Earthing Old rewirable fuses CU The only wiring from the CU is a double socket within 30cm of it, no other domestic wiring whatsoever.

What I want: Meter moved to a new location, but a simple one that involves shortening the incomer by about 1.5m and actualling just moving it horizonatlly on the same wall. (and ideally the meter upgraded at the same time, it's a white meter (off-peak) with a mechanical time clock next to it, and a 60A fuse.)

A new split-load CU. (Currently there are two rewirables,and a third MCB unit (connected to the timeclock) that used to be hooked to night storage heaters).

For now - exactly the same as before, just a double socket next to the new CU.

Now I've kicked off the process of having the meter moved - and they do make it complicated - one lot of boys to shorten the cable and fit the supply fuse - another lot to connect the new meter. The current price estimate is =A3350, outrageous, but I shall work on getting this down (however the meter move is unavoidable so I shall have to pay whatever they charge).

If this was pre January 2005, I would just screw a new CU to the wall, wire in a double socket and connect meter tails ready for the changeover. However they need to see a test certiciate before work can proceed.

Q1 - Is there a way I can satify this requirement without getting somebody Part P qualified in to do the work? (BTW I'm MIEE, CEng, PhD Elec Eng - but that carries no weight these days - though realistically my professional experience in electrical power systems was all medical x-ray equipment, not domestic wiring regulations).

There are 2 rising water mains into the building. One is disused and within 2m of the CU. The other about 7 away. Both currently have earth bonds - and since demolition of old stud walls they are just strung along the wall.

The disused main is no problem, the best route to the other would be to run the bond wire under the timber floor of the ground floor, bring it above ground with the pipe and clamp there.

Q2 - Is it permissable to have an Earth bond wire that is not clipped into place and in contact with the ground under a timber floor? Getting in there to clip it into place would be "difficult".

Q3 - Who provides the earthing mecca? Currently it's a block screwed down next to the meter. Is it acceptable to do that entirely inside the CU and leave a single "earthing tail" for them to connect to the combined neutral/earth?

Q4 - what is the current requirement for testing of earth bonds to water pipes?

Obviously Q2,Q3 & Q4 are a bit academic if the answer to Q1 is "You must contract someone Part P qualified to do the whole lot".

[Christian McArdle]

In my case, the BCO is accepting an IEE certificate from myself as evidence. Effectively, they are subcontracting the testing to the applicant! There is no law saying that the tester has to be qualified, only a self-certifier has to be qualified!

Christian.

[Christian McArdle]

Firstly, it is actually technically impossible to meet the requirement. This is because to write the certificate, you need a schedule of test results, which requires many tests to be made on the installation in an energised state.

Secondly, you can get a certificate by applying to the council.

Your best bet is to get them to install the cutout and not run tails to anywhere. They may refuse to leave a fuse behind, but these are easily obtained. Otherwise you are in a chicken and egg situation as you can't get a cert without power and you can't get power without a cert.

Christian.

[Ben Blaukopf]

Hi Dominic, glad to see your project is still progressing!

Netbenefit seem to have dropped your domain on the floor - no DNS records, no nothing....

I replaced my CU in Cambridge last year. The process went something like this:

Me: How does DIY work with Part P? BCO: Can you test it for us Me: No, but I'll find out how to. BCO. Goodo.

down next to the meter. Is it acceptable to do that entirely inside the

[tinnews]

As I understand discussion on this previously if you approach the Building Regs people at the council you can do all the work yourself and they will issue a certificate if you can convince them that the work is satisfactory.

"somebody Part P qualified" *cannot* issue the certificate unless they do *all* the work themselves, all they are allowed to do is to self certify.

A "test certificate" may not be the same thing as part P build regs approval though, the 'electricity company' may require an IEE style test certificate which, as I understand it, anyone can sign.

[Owain]

Presumably there is other building work being done, which is covered by a Building Regulations application?

If you add the electric wiring onto this application that satisfies the requirements of Part P. The BCO can inspect the wiring (or subcontract the inspection at *his* expense) in the same way as the rest of the works.

Part P thus becomes irrelevant.

If you are MIEE then that should be acceptable to the electricity supplier for signing a test certificate on your own property.

Provided it's the acceptable conductor size for "not mechanically protected" I would think so.

Should think so, although a separate earth bar may be useful if you are doing a CU change later.

See On-Site Guide.

Owain

[Roger Mills]

Can't you just unscrew the meter board from the wall, and move it - along with the main fuse - to a different position without disconnecting anything, 'losing' the surplus cable somewhere in the process? That's what I did in a similar situation!

[dom]

Unfortunately the incomer needs to be cut to pull it back through some woodwork. I don't fancy snipping/joining a live and unfused incomer!

[Andrew Gabriel]

Fix CU to wall with one socket attached, get the earthing right, and do the certificate yourself. With no electricity supply, you won't be able to do the parts which require special test equipment.

But it's still just an old chappel isn't it? Part P is not relevant yet.

That's fine.

[dom]

Correctamundo - a very outline description was in the full plans approval. A very good point and one I will capitalise on with some revisions that are going in shortly anyway.

Ta for the other answers too.

[dom]

A cunning argument! Do you watch Rumpole of the Bailey?

[Frank Erskine]

On Tue, 4 Jul 2006 15:47:39 +0100, "Christian McArdle" had this to say:

Perhaps the BCO should pay you as subcontractor, from the fee you've paid him as applicant...

:-)