New consumer unit

phoenix__

Hi all,

We've recently moved into a Victorian house (3 floors), the consumer unit is the older style where the MCBs are push/pull and have a pop-out button rather than a switch.

There are 8MCBs, 3x5A and 5x30A so far I have only identified 2 of the 5A circuits for lights and don't know what the others are, we have an outside socket so I guess that will have it's own, along with a couple of ring mains and there is no electric shower.

I would like to get a new consumer unit and I presume that the split load dual RCDs would be the 'best' however there is limited space where the current unit is. We could easily fit in an 11-way single RCD unit ( like tiny url code 36bfuu7 ) however for anything larger, which includes all the dual RCD units, the gas meter would get in the way, and I really wouldn't like to think about getting that moved.

My question is would one of these 11-way single RCD units comply with the latest (17th?) regulations and aside from the convenience of only have half the electrics go off if one of the RCDs tripped what are the benefits of getting one?

Obviously I would be getting a qualified electrician in the do the work, and from reading around they have to check the electrics throughout the house are safe and provide a certificate to say they have replaced the unit. What do they actually check for, and is there a more thorough (non-destructive) investigation I could get them to do? I don't want to get the house re-wired and I would like to know before they actually start the work if anything more than replacing the consumer unit would need to be done.

*edit* The other thing I should mention is I've got the idea of solar PV in the back of my mind. I've not looked into the practicality of what these need and I presume that a change of meter for the Feed in Tariff would be done (by the electricity company) however would there be any requirement on the consumer unit?

Many thanks,
-Jeff

macman

Most electricity cos. do not require an export meter to give you solar PV FIT's, (IIRC a rate of 50% of the system's theoretical output is assumed?) and this does not affect the CU anyway.
Get the sparky to do a Periodic Inspection report on your system before replacing anything, they can then advise what else may need doing.

Owain_Moneysaver

Whole-house RCDs not compliant with 17th Edition Wiring Regs.

The CU does not necessarily have to go where the old one was. Meter tails can usually go up to 3metres without having to have a switchfuse by the meter. Circuit cables can be extended by a smaller enclosure with DIN-rail terminals. Moving the leccy meter/intake is often not prohibitive providing you are moving along the existing supply cable (shorten the supply cable rather than having to joint and extend it.)

You can also get (MK, possibly other manufacturers) CUs with linking kits so you can stack CUs one above the other, so if yoiu can fit two 8-modules wide ones vertically that gives you 10 circuits/modules, 2 2-module RCDs and 1 2-module main switch.

phoenix__

Got someone coming round next week to quote, he said on the phone that he would always do full PI before beginning to replace the consumer unit, and that would be included in the cost. The linking kit might work for me if a multi-RCD unit won't fit within the space, or having some extensions - I'll see what the guy has to say but it's always useful to have some vague idea of what is/isn't possible when they suggest things.

Many thanks,
-Jeff

phoenix__

I've just had someone round to give a quote; his suggestions was to go for a 12-way consumer unit with a master switch and then install individual RCBO for each circuit. This would allow a suitable sized unit to fit without needing to move the gas meter, or consider the linking kits.

Anyone got any thoughts or comments on this way of doing it?

Cheers,
-Jeff

Owain_Moneysaver

phoenix__ wrote: »

I've just had someone round to give a quote; his suggestions was to go for a 12-way consumer unit with a master switch and then install individual RCBO for each circuit.

Individual RCBO for each circuit is the best way.

phoenix__

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Individual RCBO for each circuit is the best way.

That's good to know. It certainly sounds like the most practical one to go for, even if RCBOs are somewhat more expensive than regular MCB.