Retrofit RCBO's to a Wylex Consumer Unit?

macman

I have a Wylex CU, installed 1999. Model no. NS1104. It's in good condition, but due to it's age there is no RCD protection on this board.
Is it possible to get RCBO's to retrofit to this, and if so at approx what cost (it's an 11 way board with 8 in use)?
I have asked a couple of electricians about this and received only very vague replies. One suggested just fitting a new split load RCD board and quoted me £160-200 for this depending on the brand. Would this be a better option?

zax47

Didn't you ask this elsewhere, over a year ago? Still not got round to a new CU then?

RCBO's for Wylex NS series CUs aren't readily available (I can only find "C" curve ones), only 2 of my wholesalers list them and neither have stock. Don't use those for NH boxes - they don't fit (although, confusingly, the part no.s start "NSxxxx"). At around £30 each though, it's cheaper to change the CU!

Bite the bullet and get a new dual RCD board installed. If you look at Screwfix then they've the 10 way Wylex complete with MCBs and it's been on offer at under £100 for ever and a day.

macman

Well spotted zax47, you're on the ball. No, other things got in the way...
OK, Screwfix is the way to go obviously. Could you give me an idea of the approx cost for fitting one of these (London rates I'm afraid)? I was told 4-5 hours work and approx £200 to fit and supply a Wylex.

zax47

£200 is a very good price - is that really labour & supply or labour only? Make sure that it includes all the necessary testing (pre-change and post-change) and certification. Its Part P notifiable work so may sure your sparky is registered here or you'll have to notify your LABC yourself and pay their fee of at least £125+. With all due respect, £200 sound likes an unqualified cowboys "guesstimate".

Up here in Sunny Yorkshire, for a typical 3 bed semi then I'd be looking at £300-400 for a full board change, including a decent 10 or 12 way board from either Wylex or Hager.

fluffpot

You may also need to factor in that the earth bonding to gas and water pipes may need to be installed or upgraded - the cost will depend on how easy it is to access the said pipes.

baldelectrician

If you had a MK consumer unit of the same age (or even from 1985) you could get a new RCBO to fit - in certian places.

That is why I do prefer MK

waynehayes

fluffpot wrote: »

You may also need to factor in that the earth bonding to gas and water pipes may need to be installed or upgraded - the cost will depend on how easy it is to access the said pipes.

Not to mention the bonding to the central heating too.

zax47

RCD protection negates the need for supplementary equipotential bonding such as that Wayne. It's no longer mandatory (or even advised), hasn't been for a while if RCD protection is in place. Main bonds (to water & gas supply pipes) are still compulsory though (and a good thing they are too).

waynehayes

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't 411.3.1.2 define central heating as an extraneous conductive part and therefore falls under the requirement of main protective bonding?

zax47

{hunts frantically for his big red book & OSG}

Quite right Wayne, indeed it does. :embarasse

Central Heating comes under main bonding rather than supplementary.

fto

£300-£400 for a full board change........No wonder so many private houses still have no rcd protection.If a split load board costs under £100,thats some profit for less than half a days work.