Consumer boxes are modern versions of fuse boxes. An overload an overload occurs when there are too many appliances plugged into one particular circuit making a higher load than the MCB rating. Consumer units are famously located in some of the most awkward places imaginable often behind piles of storage boxes, in the darkest corner at floor level! The use of RCDs is necessary, on two occasions, to meet the wiring regulations. These units are recessed into the wall and have a slim profile. While old-fashioned fuse boxes will still power your electricity, it might struggle if you have a lot of electrical appliances. I want a couple of double plug sockets, a shed light and some garden lights. Ben. Yes it would be acceptable to run new circuits from a secondary CU. you can run the tails from the Main switch but you may find it a struggle to fit the 2 supply cable sinto the same hole..! Each page also comes with pictures and a video to make completing those jobs even easier! As this option is expensive it is only usually used where space is tight for the enlargement of a consumer unit as has to happen when updating to a dual RCD unit. I have a 240V range top that needs a wall switch added (for preventing an elderly person from using it when unattended). If you overload the circuit because you have too many appliances in that circuit or there is a wiring problem, the circuit breakers will cut off your electricity to reduce the risk of a fire starting. If not what Hi all, It's not a given that the DNO will upgrade the fuse to 100A, they may refuse. Ideally 25mm tails should be used! Top: Bottom. They will give you an in-depth inspection of your electrical system. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'diydoctor_org_uk-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',823,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-medrectangle-3-0');We will deal with the two main types of consumer unit found in the home today. These rules were put in place to contain any fires that broke out in the consumer unit within their casing, stopping the spread of flames. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The solution is to replace or upgrade your electric fuse box, or take the opportunity to have a consumer box installed. The unit distributes the electricity, via fuses of one kind or another, to the different circuits in the house. i.e. and the second is an overcurrent. What Is the Difference Between a Consumer Unit and an Electric Fuse Box? Cookies Consumer unit for installation with rcds. This video is about adding an extra consumer unit to an installation. A fully-loaded consumer unit costs around 60 to 120, and as the name suggests, it is a consumer unit that has all its load-carrying breakers similar to those of a plastic box. Is it possible to add a second consumer unit to a house? The earth (N*), which has been left unsheathed for clarity, goes into the earth terminal block (C). Next, take another wire and connect one end to the 2nd screw on the doorbell button and the other end to the screw on the receiver. Check out our exclusive EV plan - OVO Drive + Anytime! We have teamed up with the industries best to help you find a trustworthy tradesman local to you! If there are wires of different lengths, the electrician may cut them back so that they are the same length. Things to Consider When Installing a Consumer Unit Choosing a suitable consumer unit for a job will depend on several factors. I offered to dig the wire in myself but it cost 1k all in. Secondary consumer unit - Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Electrical . The job should take between three to four hours. A consumer unit is the beating heart behind the home, or in real terms, the big piece of kit that makes all the electrics work. Hope this helps When the switch is turned off, there would be no power after the isolation switch, which in turn would allow a private electrician to complete any maintenance work or repairs on the member's internal electrical set up. The pandemic's restrictions on daily living during the past few years have sparked significant technological innovation that we'll use every day. I have a spare way in my current consumer unit. Well, a garage consumer unit is a sub board. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. feedback, Hey, Technically you can add an additional distribution board ( sub board ) as this is often the case when a customer requires electrical work that must comply with current 17th edition regs without the expense of a new consumer unit. Exterior light installation: an electrician can fit lighting outside your home either on your porch, around the garden or on your decking. This can be done in 3 ways. If a fault develops on one circuit, all circuits would be switched off immediately. The supply is split immediately after the master isolation switch, and there is a dedicated RCBO fitted in the cabinet for the charger. The Consumer Unit The modern consumer unit is the centre, or heart, of the wiring system in the home. First of all, lets take a look at the average costs of installing a consumer unit. In the main an upgrade to a residential house only goes as far as 3ph 70KVA under anything like a sensible pricing scheme (<5k range). Sitemap Next, ask work colleagues who may know of an electrician, or even have one in the family. A residual current device reduces the risk of a person being fatally electrocuted from touching a live wire. To increase your power supply and reduce the risk of tripping or blowing fuses, keep reading. How Often Should I Replace My Consumer Unit? A split load board is designed for total safety and incorporates an RCD (Residual Current Device, shown as E in the picture above) as well as the double pole switch (D). Outbuildings - multiple consumer units. Since the announcement of the push for the UK to switch to electric vehicles, EV Charging Points have been popping up all over the country in preparation for the surge in demand. 7kw is more than enough for a home user. I did 160mile commutes and shift work so used 70-80% and only had 7-7.5hrs to charge before being off again. Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit. When the MCBs are clipped onto the DIN bar, the bus bar is inserted into the live terminal at the bottom of the MCB. All of this is explained more thoroughly when we deal with the second type of unit, which is the split load unit. This video is about adding an extra consumer unit to an installation.It happens sometimes, that a customer will ask for a new circuit to be installed for a new shower, or a new electric cooker circuit to replace the gas cooker, perhaps a circuit for a new extension that has been built or maybe a request to add power and lighting to the garage.And then, on inspection it is found that there are no spare ways in the existing consumer unit.Rather than replace the whole consumer unit with a new and bigger board, an option that can be taken is to add a second consumer unit (sometimes called a mini consumer unit or garage unit).This will mean breaking into the existing wiring, and so how can this be achieved correctly and safely.This video will go through the steps in detail and will guide you in making a safe addition to the existing installation.Remember that electricity is dangerous. Domestically, people will visit their consumer unit if a fuse blows or theres a power surge, while on an industrial scale consumer units could be responsible for hundreds of applications. Well, if no, then we certainly do! Old style plastic consumer units no longer meet new regulations, however they dont need to be replaced. How many consumer units do you need? It may not display this or other websites correctly. Doorbells: if you want a new video and audio doorbell your electrician can fit one. Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals. However rather than feeding the new CU from a spare way in your existing board it is best to split the incoming tails from the supply in to a henly block and run new 16mm tails from the henly block to your new board. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'diydoctor_org_uk-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',691,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-medrectangle-4-0');Please also see our project on the New Wiring and Cable Colours. All project content written and produced by Mike Edwards, founder of DIY Doctor and industry expert in building technology. The size of your home dictates how many circuits and amperage you need. Terms and conditions Installing an electrical supply to an outbuilding This article looks at the correct procedure for installing an electrical supply to an outbuilding. Do you mean that your existing Consumer Unit doesnt have a 100A Switch Disconnector within it? I share my secrets for how I get all the cabling and wired neat and tidy within the new consumer unit. As a part p registered spark I would recommend using henley blocks and putting your supply tails into these and then new tails from here to both consumer units. Home > DIY How To Projects and Tutorial Guides > Installing a Consumer Unit Consumer Units Explained(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Advice on installing a consumer unit. You must log in or register to reply here. How Much Does It Cost to Install a Consumer Unit? Electrical Adding a second consumer unit On the assumption that there are no stupid questions. Area served. Best answer by Transparent 19 April 2018, 10:21. The isolation switch is located on the right of this photo. I want to install a secondary consumer unit out to my garden shed. We love feedback on our DIY tutorials it helps us to make them the best they possibly can be so if you have any comments you would like to share with us, click the button below and let us know. The question of needing a separate consumer unit in your outhouse depends on a number of factors. An overcurrent this means there is something wrong with the wiring. I have both which means the Consumer Unit can be isolated without having to pull the 100A Service Fuse (and get the Distribution Network Operator to reseal it). Guidance for installers when making connections in consumer units Guidance for installers when making connections inconsumer units electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk beama.org.uk Published by: Electrical Safety First 45 Great Guildford Street London SE1 0ES Tel: 0203 463 5100 If installing a second consumer unit, its vital to earth it and get all connections checked before running it. Click the button below to get quotes from local tradespeople who can help you get the job done: How Much Does a House Extension Cost? I did exactly the same as you, branched off current fuse box, underground 28 meters with 16mm SWA, new CU in the garage. There are three ways to connect with henley block or from existing consumer unit and latter with approved cable or twin and earth. See 17th Edition links and also Part P links I am sure once read you will have more questions. This is because the supply would need to be de-energised via the cut out and private electricians are not permitted to work on the cut out. An isolation switch is designed to act as a circuit breaker on the mains electrical supply, so that any electrical work that needs to take place within a property can be completed safely by a private electrician. Heres the separate box which just houses a disconnector: If you dont want to wait 9 weeks and pay 158 then you could surely just get a local electrician to install one similar to mine in the photo? Aesthetically they look better than other types of consumer unit. Space in the meter box may be an issue. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple electricians near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget. To connect a single phase 230V AC load circuit to the newly installed garage consumer unit, keep in mind that the Live should be taken from the output terminals of MCB and Neutral and Earth from the Neutral & Earth Busbar terminals in the CU respectively. I was therefore thinking if a second could be added nearby. b. My Consumer Unit Secrets - How to install a Consumer Unit/Fuse Box Artisan Electrics 169K subscribers Join Subscribe 7.3K Share 501K views 1 year ago My Consumer Unit Secrets -. If you have not already, I would check with them first before making any other plans. If you select 4mm you have options in the future to add onto your electrical installation without re digging hole out to replace cable. Here are the prices on average, of the circuits and amp ratings: If your old electric fuse box or consumer unit is in poor condition it may have to be replaced. This is a gentle warning to others that the installation process may be neither fast or free. Privacy notice Dont forget this includes the supply conductors to the secondary board. The existing lighting circuits on the existing consumer unit already have more than 1200Watts of lighting connected to them. They dont have a main switch and usually have four circuits or fewer. Terms & Conditions apply. I bought the property 2 2008-2023 MyBuilder Limited Quality Tradesmen that won't break the bank. These are boxes that are used in areas where there is water, so they are commonly used in pools and spas. Thanks@Bigstee, and for those readers seeking a translation. Yes. An EICR report is carried out by a qualified electrician. If you have a timer it means if you are on holiday you can set it to turn certain circuits on and off to make it look like you are at home. Each fuse, or MCB, is clipped onto a DIN bar and the "teeth" of the bus bar are inserted into the MCBs. This will protect all circuits but if the RCD trips, so do all circuits. He couldnt have been more helpful and the job is now sorted. It is also an offence to interfere with the seals on the electricity meter. An often overlooked element of fitting a consumer unit is the location where it is placed. . Installing a new consumer unit and rewiring an entire two-bedroomed terraced house will cost between 2,300 and 3,500. Reply to sparky1966 OP D DurhamSparky Perhaps I am biassed in that such conversations have only occurred where it is a reputable local electrician, well known to the area DNO Engineers. Turning consumer unit on after water damage, Electrical News from Electricians Forums and Friends, Kid's Personalised Winter High Viz Safety Vests, Case Study: A common UK Light Switch used to Remote Control Outdoor Lighting, AFDD Webinar 10th November & Electrical2Go AFDD Guide. The first one is a single load fuse board where the power coming in is taken through a double pole switch to a live bus bar. I thought this was a tad on the expensive side but we know the sparky and he did a good job. Yes you can fit second consumer unit common when supplying showers and sheds you may have to use two lighting circuits as most light fitting need fusing to 6 amp. I'm ready to go ahead! You'll only need one consumer unit for a home in most cases. or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you. Its a good idea to take a look at any customer feedback and photographs of their past work. ElectricalDirect is Great Place to WorkCertified. OZEV approved installers of Pod Point chargers Pod Point Universal Socket Pod Point Tethered Unit From 545* (Inc. Vat) Features and Benefits Charging capacity of 3,7 kW up to 22 kW. An information label near the consumer unit explains this. You'd need to be doing over 300 miles a day, every day and being at home less than 12 hours for it to be an issue. If the electrician has noticed the current wiring in your home is in poor condition, they may recommend that you have new wiring installed. The cost will be between 120 and 200 and will take two to three hours of work. They will then start to feed the live, neutral, and earth wiring into the main switch. Give us a call or drop us an email and we'll ask for a 250 deposit to book your installation slot. You can split the meter tails and install a second consumer unit. These cables are called tails, and in this instance, with this type of unit, are 16mm cables. So, here are some important things to consider about the installation before you decide which one to buy: 1. Consumer unit install Electrician prices for consumer unit install The consumer unit is still what most people refer to as the 'fuse box' The prices shown here are to put in a new consumer unit (including test unless stated) of different configurations and include all the paperwork required, materials and of course labour charges. Reach out to ourSupport Teamin order to schedule in an engineer visit. Notice: consumer is responsible for following any state and/or local regulations and plumbing codes pertinent to the purchase, installation and operation of our products. It happens sometimes, that a customer will ask for a new circuit to be installed for a new shower, or a new electric cooker. If the circuit itself has a defect, such as a loose live cable, then an overcurrent will be produced. Space is limited (to replace for bigger CU ) around the original and there are no available slots to add further circuits. This allows the circuit to be divided into two, usually one upstairs, one down. 01908 787 864. The following articles provide more information about the routes available and the qualifications you need. Prices last reviewed in November 2022. They actually attached mine to a separate unit straight off the meter so not touching my CU at all. All cables and connections to the consumer unit must be checked and tested by a qualified electrician. A consumer unit can use an RCD as the main switch. Did you have to uprate the main fuse? Individual protection prevents a circuit trip.. 1. One of the consumer units is past its best - the uppermost one looks like an old Wylex one with a 60A isolator (too small for most houses nowadays) You would have to upgrade the consumer unit and bring the bonding up to a standard also You should use a competent person for the work, links below In Scotland: Individuals registered; No cable. If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, But the average costs are: If you want more information about house rewiring, take a look at our HouseholdQuotes guide which will give you plenty more information. The isolation switch, and in this instance, with this type of unit, which has been unsheathed... These cables are called tails, and in this instance, with this type of unit, are 16mm.! Twin and earth, here are some important things to Consider about the before. From using it when unattended ) of a person being fatally electrocuted from a. 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