Moving consumer unit - extending cables

longwalks1

I'm wanting to get my consmuer unit moved about 3ft to the left in the cupboard its currently in, but none of the cables/wires going into it are long enough, I'm assuming the majority of them go up through the wall etc to the other circuits, upstairs sockets, upstairs lighting, etc.

Can they be extended, and if so by what method? I have a family friend whos a qualified electrician to do the work, just want ot make sure its do-able and the best way to do it

Owain_Moneysaver

They can be, but there would usually need to be an enclosure at the existing CU location to house the terminals to the extended cables.

If your tails to the meter exceed 3 metres you would usually need a switchfuse as well, as the network operator does not usually allow you to rely on their service fuse to protect tails > 3m.

longwalks1

Thanks Owain, the consumer unit is currently in an old cupbaord build under the stairs, and will be moved along from it, and eventually still housed in a newer, smaller cupboard so the enclosure to house the connections will have somewhere to go.

Sorry by tails do you mean the length of cable once out the wall and before it enters the CU?

ohreally

britishboy wrote: »

Sorry by tails do you mean the length of cable once out the wall and before it enters the CU?

Meter tails -
http://www.screwfix.com/p/prysmian-meter-tails-1-core-grey-16mm-x-3m-reel-double-insulated-pack-of-3/23644

From metered supply to CU.