Hi again,

Below is a bit of the floorplan of my house, ground floor:

http://www.dionic.net/house/cu.jpg

Given the position of the meter box and another "meter" box next to it (the
lower of the two green blobs, this contains the henley block and will have
an isolator fitted and be the origin of the feed to the CU):

In the diagram, I really wanted to put the CU in position "D" - there's a
20cm recess in the wall which could be boxed in, loads of space, good
access to roof voids and outside for SWA to shed etc. That's getting a new
door, so I'd reverse the swing or make it an outwards opener.

But unless I want to throw money away but getting the service moved (700
quid) or snake wrestling 25mm2 SWA (or split con) round the house, it's
back to reality...

On the diagram again, positions A,B and C are *likely* to be able to meet
the "3m" rules for running tails (EDF to confirm the exact length, just
emailed them). Well, close enough, probably... The worst I've got to do if
anyone complains it stick a switchfuse in.

Now: what I would be grateful for some opinion on are the implications of
various CU sitings, partly in anticipation of the BCO who may or may not
invoke bit's of Part M (it's not a new build, so I think I'm safe, but...)
But also if there's a wiring reg concerning accessibilty of CU's - can't
find one I admit, or anything else I might fall foul off.

Location A: Over door opening hard up against ceiling. Shortest meter tails
run. Will be boxed in, effectively making the opening deeper.

Location B: Flush mounted into drywall backing onto roof void (this bit's
good). Disadvantage, access is by climbing 4 steps up the stairs. CU would
be at face height. I like this one actually, but I can see that the BCO or
the PIR guy might object, just don't know on what grounds...

Location C: The lower left roof is becoming a kitchen/diner, so C is
actually in a 300mm deep cupboard which will be set out to make it
difficult to put crap in (looks like a kitchen cupboard because it's one of
4 in a row, but is the CU cupboard). Can;t see much wrong with this. Sinkl
will be 3.5m away, bottom left bay, and cooker will be 1.5m away, left
hand wall, so steam and heat shouldn't be an issue. However, it's got the
longest "meter tails" run, possibly getting closer to 4m by the time
they've gone up and down and round the bends (like me ;- )

Thanks for your opinions in advance Yes I'm worrying again(!) but I don;t
what to get the position of the CU wrong and be told to do it again...

Cheers

Tim

Tim S wrote:
Location A: Over door opening hard up against ceiling. Shortest meter tails
run. Will be boxed in, effectively making the opening deeper.

That would be my prefered location, but slightly below the ceiling.
Two of my flats have CUs like this. Does it have to be boxed in?

--
JGH

Thanks for the reply

jgharston coughed up some electrons that declared:

Tim S wrote:
Location A: Over door opening hard up against ceiling. Shortest meter
tails run. Will be boxed in, effectively making the opening deeper.

That would be my prefered location, but slightly below the ceiling.

I omitted to say it's an opening with a slight arch, so vertical space is
limited. I *could* modify the ceiling in that region though, pushing it
upwards at that point - that could actually work quite well, depending on
the layout of the timbers in that region. Something to look at this
weekend.

Two of my flats have CUs like this. Does it have to be boxed in?


I think I would in this specific case, just for the mechanical protection.
I'm thinking of someone carrying something tall and heavy through the
opening and ****ting the CU on the way past.

From the electrical design POV it's the place with least scope for whineage
from either EDF or BCO's PIR bloke.

Offbeat I wonder how the BCO would take to a full plans Part P
submission... Wonder if anyone's ever tried?

Probably want certified engineering calcs for every run of every circuit...

Cheers

Tim

Tim S wrote:

In the diagram, I really wanted to put the CU in position "D" [...]
But unless I want to throw money away but getting the service moved (700
quid) or snake wrestling 25mm2 SWA (or split con) round the house, it's
back to reality...

Get the service moved then. Chances are that the cost will be forgotten
in a few years time but a CU in the wrong place will continue to annoy.

But also if there's a wiring reg concerning accessibilty of CU's - can't
find one I admit,

132.12.

Location A: Over door opening hard up against ceiling. Shortest meter tails
run. Will be boxed in, effectively making the opening deeper.

Too high, perhaps.

Location B: Flush mounted into drywall backing onto roof void (this bit's
good). Disadvantage, access is by climbing 4 steps up the stairs. CU would
be at face height. I like this one actually, but I can see that the BCO or
the PIR guy might object, just don't know on what grounds...

Access for testing etc. obstructs stairway?

Location C: The lower left roof is becoming a kitchen/diner, so C is
actually in a 300mm deep cupboard which will be set out to make it
difficult to put crap in (looks like a kitchen cupboard because it's one of
4 in a row, but is the CU cupboard). Can;t see much wrong with this. Sinkl
will be 3.5m away, bottom left bay, and cooker will be 1.5m away, left
hand wall, so steam and heat shouldn't be an issue. However, it's got the
longest "meter tails" run, possibly getting closer to 4m

Sounds the best to me, apart from the tails.

I think you do need to talk to the BCO.

--
Andy

Andy Wade coughed up some electrons that declared:

Tim S wrote:

In the diagram, I really wanted to put the CU in position "D" [...]
But unless I want to throw money away but getting the service moved (700
quid) or snake wrestling 25mm2 SWA (or split con) round the house, it's
back to reality...

Get the service moved then. Chances are that the cost will be forgotten
in a few years time but a CU in the wrong place will continue to annoy.

That is a perfectly valid thought... It would be good because I can have a
floor to ceiling wiring cupboard and I might be able to get a couple of
bits of 40-60mm ducting presented there leading to a small pit outside
which would make all further external circuits a total dream to install
(plenty of room for SWA termination in adaptable boxes and no b***ering up
the house up to do it). Apart from the cost (which was vaguely quoted by
the dept who do the work, could be higher or lower) would be whether they
would get "funny" about doing it to a LABC job, rather than me being a
scheme member. There's a friendly sparks in the next town, I suppose I
could just sub the bit of the job out - might be easier.

Do you know if they will do the whole job (install meter box, drill through
wall, put "hockey stick" in and cable upto my isolator (I'll do the rest
later) in or do they like all the prep done before they arrive, so they can
just mole through, install head and meter and go home?

I would ask EDF, but my tolerance for phone calls to them is running low
this week...

But also if there's a wiring reg concerning accessibilty of CU's - can't
find one I admit,

132.12.

Thanks. OK just looked that up. The stairs could be argued against as one
would be standing sideways on (one leg bent, other not, or balanced on one
step). So there would be more of a tendancy to fall off compared to being
on a step ladder. But kitchen cupboard is very good from this POV.

Reasonable interpretation?


Location A: Over door opening hard up against ceiling. Shortest meter
tails run. Will be boxed in, effectively making the opening deeper.

Too high, perhaps.

True - step ladder involved to do anything much to it.

Location B: Flush mounted into drywall backing onto roof void (this bit's
good). Disadvantage, access is by climbing 4 steps up the stairs. CU
would be at face height. I like this one actually, but I can see that the
BCO or the PIR guy might object, just don't know on what grounds...

Access for testing etc. obstructs stairway?

Noted above

Location C: The lower left roof is becoming a kitchen/diner, so C is
actually in a 300mm deep cupboard which will be set out to make it
difficult to put crap in (looks like a kitchen cupboard because it's one
of 4 in a row, but is the CU cupboard). Can;t see much wrong with this.
Sinkl will be 3.5m away, bottom left bay, and cooker will be 1.5m away,
left hand wall, so steam and heat shouldn't be an issue. However, it's
got the longest "meter tails" run, possibly getting closer to 4m

Sounds the best to me, apart from the tails.

Wish EDF would discover the joys of FAQs !

I think you do need to talk to the BCO.

Totally agree. Would rather go to him with a reasonable plan though, rather
than no clue at all. He'll probably be more amenable if I've made an effort
first.

Thanks for such a comprehensive reply - totally appreciated.

Cheers

Tim

Tim S wrote:

Do you know if they will do the whole job (install meter box, drill through
wall, put "hockey stick" in and cable upto my isolator (I'll do the rest
later) in or do they like all the prep done before they arrive, so they can
just mole through, install head and meter and go home?

You need to agree all that with them before they're due to turn up. The
more donkey work you can do the less it will cost. Here's a recent
thread on the IET wiring regs forum with a lot of relevant information:
http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/m...threadid=25106

And an older one about hockey sticks
http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/m...threadid=14811

'The Wanderer' might be able to help here by suggesting how to keep the
cost down and make the job go smoothly.

132.12.

Thanks. OK just looked that up. The stairs could be argued against as one
would be standing sideways on (one leg bent, other not, or balanced on one
step). So there would be more of a tendancy to fall off compared to being
on a step ladder. But kitchen cupboard is very good from this POV.

Reasonable interpretation?

Probably.

Wish EDF would discover the joys of FAQs !

Communication doesn't seem to be strong point in the new market driven
supply industry... AFAIK though, no-one will accept tails 3 metres and
some DNOs have lower limits.

I think you do need to talk to the BCO.

Totally agree. Would rather go to him with a reasonable plan though, rather
than no clue at all.

A short list of options could be a good starting point though.

--
Andy