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larryduff
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Ashford, Kent, UK
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 Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject: DIY work on consumer unit |
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As a DIY-er, am I allowed under the regulations to move the outputs to a circuit from one consumer unit to another?
To explain! - I have two consumer units connected to the off-peak supply (a 4-MCB and a 2-MCB unit). The 2-MCB unit is faulty and has been arcing (as diagnosed by a pro) - this one is wired from one of the MCBs in the 4-MCB off-peak unit. I have 4 storage heaters connected to the two units, so to my mind can the 2-MCB unit be taken away completely and the circuits for the two storage heaters connected to it be moved to the 4-MCB unit (swapping the MCB's all to the correct rating as necessary)?
The electrician has quoted me for removing the 2nd board and installing a larger 8-way unit, but really I don't need that much capacity for circuits. He wants the best part of £400 to do this, which seems pretty steep to me. I've already paid to test and diagnose the storage heater circuits and to check the elements and stats in the heaters themselves. But obviously I don't want to do anything myself that could potentially be dangerous!
Thanks for any feedback! |
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vince knight
Moderator
Joined: 04 Mar 2004
Posts: 1273
Location: Essex/East London
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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He wants HOW much?? 
As you are not adding a new circuit or replacing the ccu then it would not come under part 'p' as I see it.
If you are confident enough then go ahead, or better still get another quote from somebody who don't leave his horse outside 
Vince |
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larryduff
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Ashford, Kent, UK
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for your thoughts. So from what you say, if I replaced the 2-way with an identical 2-way I'd be doing something 'illegal'?
Got the quote through the door today - the price is for replacing the 2 off peak boards with one 6-way unit, and then to test the heater circuits and provide a report. I'm not sure if the second part is something different to what they already did, because I watched the guy test the circuits before he checked the storage heaters so that he could diagnose the fault in the first place. But maybe it's additional work?
Has also suggested a period test and inspection certificate for the peak board at £190 excl. - is that a reasonable price do you think?
Cheers! |
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vince knight
Moderator
Joined: 04 Mar 2004
Posts: 1273
Location: Essex/East London
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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A Periodic test should take no more than 2 hours to complete.
I charge £95 + Vat up to a 3 bed house.
To change the board should be more like £250 ish + Vat.
If he changes the board he will have to provide you with an installation certificate anyway, so the whole lot will be tested on the off peak.
Vince |
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larryduff
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Ashford, Kent, UK
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like they're a little on the pricey side then! Maybe I'll get some other quotes or just remove the 2-way box as described in my first post and then get an inspection done at a later stage. |
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vince knight
Moderator
Joined: 04 Mar 2004
Posts: 1273
Location: Essex/East London
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| No worries |
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