Moving a Consumer Unit

En el artículo , DerbyBorn escribió:

Work done by a regular contributor here.

That's neatly done, but the rings are terminated in the "extension" box and connected to the RCBOs with a single wire that seems to be the same size. It's probably something that I would do for such a short run, but is it strictly allowed?

You could also change the MCB to one which will handle a greater fault current before tripping. Think they're called C type?

Since it's in a garage, I'd just used a suitable sized adaptable box. Most wholesalers stock a range.

It depends on which direction the various cables come from. Whether they just need shortening or extending.

A time consuming rather than difficult job. But you could just keep one of those small ally ladders beside it?

I suspect the link wire is the next size up.

But if you want to, just add extra terminals and take the rings right through.

I can also recommend Wago TopJob terminals which are spring loaded.

It's very neat, and filed away for future reference!

The only thing I would like to ask about (not a criticism) is: are the bundled wires above 'allowed'? In terms of grouping, or whatever the official term is?

Bundled wires are certainly allowed (and in many cases unavoidable). However they may result in the need to apply a de-rating factor to the current carrying capacity of the cable. So long as when taken into account the capacity is still adequate for the circuit there is no problem.

See

Note that the grouping factor applies to circuits and not number of cables - so two ring circuits would count as two, not 4 (or more). The exclusion of circuits with less than 30% of the grouped rating also makes the situation noticeable better - since for example most lighting circuits will be ignored.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote on 14/02/2017 :

The continuous load rating is similar, what changes is the delay before operating - effectively the speed of response. C's are mainly used where there is an inductive load which might be expected cause a trip on start up.

Dave Plowman (News) formulated the question :

Or better, an insulated ladder.

Harry Bloomfield explained on 14/02/2017 :

If B's are swapped out for C types, the ELI may also need to be improved too.

True, although for a 6A MCB you still have a fairly generous 3.64 Ohms to play with.

In practice they are less likely to trip when a lamp blows.

In other places they just use insulating tape

Owain

Or a stick.

I am pretty sure it is 4mm.

Now that is a most interesting question! And not one that I have come across before.

I would say that trade bodies such as the NICEIC would probably say yes and require you to meet the full 17th edition regs when doing such work. That may also require RCD protection for circuits that are not already RCD protected.

I suspect that they would apply the rules for additions and alterations.

Have I ever mentioned that I believe such bodies are grasping Fagin wankers?

Is it ok to do this with red and black wire? And can you get it in the relevant sizes?

Just moved into a house where the CU has been moved about 3 metres . All the "joints" have been housed in the original CU enclosure which has had the rails etc removed. Joints to extension cables done in mix of choc block and Wago connectors. Doesnt look particularly neat but had passed an "Electrical Safety Inspection" according to a label on it.

Or stop buying cheap bulbs. Use LEDs or low energy types and this problem ??won't occur.

It depends on how they fail.