Consumer unit (RCD)

[dark_stranger]

I am getting a sparky friend to wire up a shed & will be putting in a 4way RCD consumer unit to manage the sockets (1), Lights (2) and external socket (3), plus leaving 1 spare in the CU. He is taking his time and therefore to hurry things along I am going to buy the CU, but as the price varies greatly, do you get what you pay for? are most CU's similar? I dont want a split load as the shed will be housing fish & lots of salt water.

Also, when choosing a 4way RCD CU, does it mater what Amp & mA the unit has? The CU will be connected to the house via a 6mm SWA running about 35Meters

Any advise would be great.

Stu

 

[CallEdsFirst]

So when your damp outside socket trips the RCD and all your fish die, you'll hard wire the fish equipment onto the non RCD side of the new split load board?

 

[dark_stranger]

the external socket is a weatherproof (ip66) unit so hopefully wont do that. The reason I wanted the whole system on RCD was electricity & salt water dont mix, and i often have wet arms )

 

[CallEdsFirst]

Yeah, ok. Even weatherproof can get damp as a result of condensation build up. I totally agree that the RCD should be there for safety's sake, but you might want to set up some sort of no-volt/supply failed alarm for the RCD as a whole, or even just for the fishtank.

I can't help but protest when consumers buy parts on behalf of electricians. How many times do you turn up at a garage to get your car serviced, air filter, oil filter and oil in hand. Let the professionals select the materials they require/prefer.

To "hurry things along" you could maybe just try ringing him up?

 

[dark_stranger]

lol, what you mean you dont take your own plates to a resturant? unfortunately (for me), he has just had his 2nd child and therefore with paying work & his extended family, a little busy and therefore trying not to pester him to much.

and therefore back to the consumer unit. what would be your advice

 

[JohnD]

If you can afford it, you could use RCBOs instead of MCBs.

That way, a trip of the outdoor socket will not trip the fishtank supply.

 

[CallEdsFirst]

I was wonderring how long it would take John, I was trying not to suggest it before you!

RCD sockets cheaper? perhaps not for an outdoor one, even a cheapy Greenbrook jobbie!

 

[Lectrician]

A fish keeper will be tending to fish twice a day with any luck at least! A tripped RCD is no biggy - No need for an alarm!

 

[Spark123]

My personal preference with the tropical fish in my garage is not to have them on an RCD. I have both tanks plugged into 4 way adaptors where I can plug them into a plug in powerbreaker if I want to. It is surprising how quickly they get cold should the power trip, especially in winter if the insulation isn't great. At the moment I am attending one of the tanks at least 4 times a day, baby catfish!

 

[CallEdsFirst]

With some of the more exotic marines, all you have to do is look at them funny and they die! I bet there are a few fish keepers who have cursed an RCD or two! I quite like the idea of an RCD supply only whilst you maintain the set up though! Might become tedious keep swapping over though. Oooh most gratuitous use of a changeover switch!!!!

 

[dark_stranger]

Spark123 - how have you got your garage set up? what would you suggest as I was only looking at a full RCD CU for safety reasons more than anything, but will consider other options.

The shed will have 3 circuites, 1 for an external socket, 1 for the plugs inside the shed & 1 for the shed lighting.

The shed lighting doesnt really need to be protected, but I would want the external socket to be RCD'ed. Then is leaves the internal sockets that would be connected to tank heaters, pumps, lights, etc