DIY consumer unit change

BigRab · 17 Apr 2013

Hi again, thanks to the people that got back to me with informative, usefull & non patronising replies.
Just to summarise, Basically if the internet never exisisted & i never looked into it I would have just done a straight swap of the units, now assuming that i never done any before or after testing and assuming all of the connections were made correctly the main problems i could have are MCB's not tripping quickly enough and also unwanted tripping ??
As far as pulling the main service fuse goes Im aware that only the DNO or someone authorised by them should be cutting the seal & removing the fuse but come on, are you telling me that the majority of the pro sparks dont just pull the fuse ? better safe than sorry eh ? As far as PPE goes i have access to the gear due to working on HV & hybrid vehicles, you also need to get dressed up like Darth Vader to isolate & make safe HV components on these cars.
@scoby_beasley: was there really any need for a reply like that ? this is a DIY forum after all & i came here to ask for advice. What was wrong with "sorry you dont know this or that & you dont have X or Y test equipment to do the job safely, i think a job like this may be way over your head & you should get a pro in ?"

ericmark said:
I am sure it will not matter what we say you will still do it. However I would try and borrow some test kit.

Absolutely not, I didnt come on here with the im going to do it anyway mindset, i genuinley came here to gather information before making the decision.

sparkybird · 19 Apr 2013

come on then, you can't leave us hanging like that.... what's your decision?

geome · 20 Apr 2013

What a load of crap you pro electricans talk
I have rewirered my whole house including fitting a new consumer unit
You are trying to scare people with stories of pulling the main fuse so long as you feel compedent I say give it a go its easy

EFLImpudence · 20 Apr 2013

Nobody said it was difficult.

skotl · 20 Apr 2013

geome said:
What a load of crap you pro electricans talk
I have rewirered my whole house including fitting a new consumer unit
You are trying to scare people with stories of pulling the main fuse so long as you feel compedent I say give it a go its easy

Words fail me.

davelx · 20 Apr 2013

geome said:
What a load of crap you pro electricans talk
I have rewirered my whole house including fitting a new consumer unit

Then you have probably broken the law - that's your business.

If you did not carry out the necessary testing, then you may have a hidden fault that will come back to bite you, or someone else in the building, at a later date. Then again, you may not have a hidden fault, or it may not show itself for a long time, if ever. That's a matter for your conscience.

You are trying to scare people with stories of pulling the main fuse so long as you feel compedent I say give it a go its <sp>it's</sp> easy

It depends on the type and condition of the service head. The risk with a modern head in good condition if done off load is relatively low. The risk with an old cast iron head with china fuse carriers in poor condition done on load is much greater. We can't see a poster's service head so we don't know. In your case, it was your risk, your eyesight & face and you (and your family) who might have suffered if things had gone wrong. It makes no difference to us if you blind yourself or worse - we neither gain nor lose. So all we can do is give sensible advice given the information we have. Then it's up to the individual to decide to do it or not.

PS - many of the people giving answers here are NOT pro electricians - but we do understand the risks, the regs, and the reasons for them, and are capable of taking informed decisions based on that knowledge. Do you? Are you? Really?

bernardgreen · 20 Apr 2013

geome said:
What a load of crap you pro electricans talk

I am not a pro-electrician. I was until retirement an electronics design engineer. I did build an entire house so my DIY skills are good. Even so I would not advise a DIY re-wire and CU change unless the DIYer had access to and understanding of the necessary test equipment.

geome said:
You are trying to scare people with stories of pulling the main fuse so long as you feel compedent I say give it a go its easy

Now you are talking dangerous crap. A fire brigade black museum has photos of fire damage from fires started when a supply fuse was pulled and the fuse holder fell apart. When the incomer shorts out the roman candle of molten metal coming out of the burning cable can last a long time and do a lot of damage and injury.

ban-all-sheds · 20 Apr 2013

davelx said:
PS - many of the people giving answers here are NOT pro electricians - but we do understand the risks, the regs, and the reasons for them, and are capable of taking informed decisions based on that knowledge. Do you? Are you? Really?

Iggifer · 20 Apr 2013

I know lots of plenty of time served electricians who refuse to pull a service fuse, and I can't blame them.

I would rather just get the supplier/DNO out to pull it, better still get the supplier to come and put an isolator in, saves a lot of hassle

geome · 20 Apr 2013

The reason why I do my own work is not because of cost
It is to get a decent standard of workmanship
Every tradesman I have had in to do work has always done a substandard job and I always end up having to put it right
Perhaps I am to fussy and expect the work to be up to my standards

Iggifer · 20 Apr 2013

you must be getting the wrong trades in then.

I have always been taught the principle of 'would I be happy with this in my house / would I do work to this standard in my mums house?' And if it's a no, then redo it. But approaching it with that attitude from the get go means you rarely have to redo anything

geome · 20 Apr 2013

You have only got to look at the media news coverage of domestic and industrail accidents gas explosions, walls collapsing, etc
These accidents when found to be caused by poor workmanship are always caused by the professional tradesmen who carried out the work

RF Lighting · 20 Apr 2013

It's a shame that's not actually true...

Gees · 20 Apr 2013

geome said:
What a load of crap you pro electricans talk
I have rewirered my whole house including fitting a new consumer unit
You are trying to scare people with stories of pulling the main fuse so long as you feel compedent I say give it a go its easy

I am NOT an electrician, but have done plenty of work on my own homes over the years. However I would be a little worried about the work I have carried out if I Didn't test it properly. I have a megger CM500 ( old but still in calibration ) and I make absolutly sure things are right .. If a DIYer wants to do work then let him/her get on with it BUT be sure its safe. Its you and your families lives ........... DO IT RIGHT..

Chri5 · 21 Apr 2013

geome said:
What a load of crap you pro electricans talk
I have rewirered my whole house including fitting a new consumer unit
You are trying to scare people with stories of pulling the main fuse so long as you feel compedent I say give it a go its easy

Idiot

I can deliver babies, but if they were breach they'd die.

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DIY consumer unit change

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