New RCD for Existing Modern CU + Live Water Shock!

[phykell]

Doesn't sound too far - use a nice thick cable. How easy would the installation be? Could it run above ground?

Not easy really, the ground is being block paved and is currently tarmac. I'd have to run it along the wall I guess.

Thanks for the other info. I'll be contacting my supplier tomorrow hopefully about the earthing arrangement.

Last couple of questions:

1. If I want to fit an RCD, assuming I'm keeping it as TT, a 100mA time delayed RCD was recommended. Where would I get one of those from and can it just be fitted in an IP40 enclosure?

2. If I fit a split load CU and just want an isolator, again, is an IP40 with a standard DP 100A isolator OK?

 

[plugwash]

call the rec and tell them you suspect there is no earth (there could well be)

you should be able to get an emergency apointment that way

meantime use plug in rcds for any class 1 (ie with an earth) appliances

 

[phykell]

Thanks. Having read everyone's advice here, I rang a local electrician to come and sort it all out because I reckon it's best to get a professional in now and he's worked on lots of these old 20s houses where I live. I'll take responsibility for the CU onwards, but it sounds like I don't know anything like enough to tackle the earthing problem. He said he'll fit an isolator for me between the CU and meter, new tails and he'll test and sort the earthing out for about £80. Of course, while he's here he can look at all the awful wiring in my kitchen as well. I've just followed what I thought to be a ring main for all the sockets and it turns out it's one huge spur! In the meantime, I need to consider splitting the cabling (I might leave this to the electrician as well) between the floors (one circuit for all the sockets and one for all the lights!) and a split load CU.

Incidentally, what's the electrician's equivalent of Plumbworld, or any other good online retailers for electrical stuff?

 

[plugwash]

with small PME systems there is no need for a rod at the customers end (the rec do tend to do it on larger systems though (generally by the bare cable in the supply cable trench method)

the use of concentric cable makes the risk of completely cutting the CNE core without first cutting the phase core minimal

 

[--tom]

Q1 where is the access to the other pics, i can only see two no pics.
Q2 at the split head what are the two black boxes - why are they different?
Q3 what is the black box to the upper left of the pic?

 

[phykell]

Q1 where is the access to the other pics, i can only see two no pics.
Q2 at the split head what are the two black boxes - why are they different?
Q3 what is the black box to the upper left of the pic?

1. If you do a search on my profile, you'll find lots of pictures in other threads - mainly the kitchen I'm doing

2. They are the service links. One contains a large fuse I think. The other probably doesn't.

3. I don't know what's in that box but one end is connected to the garage MCB in the CU, and the other end passes through the wall into the garage and to the garage's own CU. I guess it's just a junction box then.

 

[securespark]

Q1 where is the access to the other pics, i can only see two no pics.
Q2 at the split head what are the two black boxes - why are they different?
Q3 what is the black box to the upper left of the pic?

2. One is a fuse in the live, the other is just a block connecting neutrals. In some houses the neutral connection is via a link.

3. This a just a connection between the SWA cable to the garage and the supply from the consumer unit.

Why?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

3. This a just a connection between the SWA cable to the garage and the supply from the consumer unit.

Why?

Fairly common, surely, to transition between T/E and SWA in a separate metal box rather than trying to terminate the SWA in a plastic CU?

 

[securespark]

No, my warehouse-hating friend, I meant why was he asking?!!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Sorry - not at my best in the mornings...

 

[securespark]

No worries - hey - get two kids like mine and you'll wake up bright-eyed and bushy tailed.






















Not.