Electrical advice urgently needed!!!

rtw123

Hello

We have just plumbed in our electric shower and it is now ready for the electrics to be done. We have received a quote of a friend who is a retired electrician we are happy with. However, instead of fitting a new fuse box (old one does not have room for the shower), he said he can fit a rcd switch onto the box to supply the electricity to the shower.

Anyone heard of this before? Guy is a professional so must be ok, just wondered if it was better to just get a new fuse box instead of having the single switch added on?

Thanks to anyone who can provide me with any comments on this as I know nothing about electrics!!!!:p

BobProperty

I think what he sounds like he is doing is cheaper and easier than replacing the whole box and is perfectly acceptable practice. But then I'm not an electrician so I'll wait for one to comment

ormus

it was done like that yrs ago. but ive no idea what the newest IEEE regs say about it.

baldelectrician

It may not be best to do this.If your old fuse box is over 20 years old it may have a 60 A switch (new ones are 100A)
This will need to be checked

if you stay in England or Wales this work is notifiabke under Part P.

You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals regitered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchCo.asp?T=Construction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

If the consumer unit is very old it may be better to bite the bullet and get the whole thing done at once.

rtw123

Hi

Thanks for the response. Was considering asking him about replacing the box instead of using the switch. He has quoted £210 to fit the switch so how much should we be looking at to replace the lot?

Have also heard that you can buy trip switches that you can fit onto your old fuses - are these worth considering? :rolleyes:

Thanks again

gusgus

Hello

I have a similar situation. I was quoted £250 to fit the switch - unfortunately the existing box is 15 years old and now found out cannot get switch.

Have been told have option of leaving first box alone and putting second box in on top - just for the shower and directly linked to electricity box outside. Price has gone up to £500 plus VAT.This is the total price for adding box and wiring to shower (which is upstairs) labour and parts.

Unfortunately I have no idea if either price is reasonable!

I'd be grateful for any responses.

dld2s

There are forums for electricians etc on www.screwfix.com you will most likely get a quicker and more knowledgible answer there

octygone

Change the distribution board for a new one this will give you the extra space for the shower mcb you need and it will protect the rest of the house wiring as well....this will also require the wiring to be tested and should come to about £300 to £400 ....also depends on wether he is charging "mates rates" for the labour etc.

Hobbit_X

Change the entire fuse board (consumer unit) it is a bit dearer but safer. The issue here is how do you safely get an extra cable from the fuse box to the new RCD board.
By rights it should be the same size as the meter tails (ask about changing these at the same time as yours may be too small)
I assume that you have fitted 10mm T&E cable to the shower, the 6mm fitted years ago will only power the smallest of new showers.
Thinking of replacing old rewireable fuses with plug in MCBs - forget it they are too dear. Same price to change the entire board.

Make sure that the bathroom supplementary bonding is also done.

THERE IS ONE PROBLEM WITH CHANGING YOUR FUSE BOARD. IF YOU DO NOT YET HAVE A 30mA RCD FITTED, THEN ANY SMALL SHORTCIRCUIT FAULTS MAY BE PICKED UP BY THE RCD AND SUBSEQUENTLY NEED FIXING. MAKE SURE YOUR ELECTRICIAN ALLOWS TIME FOR ANY SUCH FAULTS. AND MAKE SURE YOU CAN AFFORD EXTRA MONEY.
IF UNSURE GET A PERIODIC INSPECTION DONE FIRST AS THIS IS VERY HELPFULL.

What earthing do you have? If possible go for a split load fuse board.