consumer unit connection

rachelsdad | 20:08 Sat 17th Feb 2007 | DIY

4 Answers

this is a bit long winded but bear with me and i will try to be brief
just fitted a new 8.5 kw shower after british gas electrician disconnected live and neutral at the consumer unit for safety.
i was out when it was disconnected and am not sure of exact reconnection,although pretty sure live goes into the fused connection.regarding neutral - please advise where this should be connected to ?

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tony1941

Do you mean you had a shower before and you have replaced it with a new one? When you say "fused connection", do you mean that the consumer unit is an old one with actual fuses (as opposed to circuit breakers)? If it's circuit breakers, is the board a "split" one with an RCD protecting part of it? This latter makes a difference because you will have two neutral bars and you must get the right one! Let me know the answers and I'll help further.

Good luck

Tony

rachelsdad

Question Author

hi tony it is circuit breakers,there is no rcd there seems to be only 1 neutral bar,there is 4 screws attached to this where other neutral wires are screwed in-but this is 6mm (very thick) cable and it would seem it would not fit,but it might

buildersmate

Installing a new shower circuit is notifiable work under Part P Building Regulations. Sorry but this means if you do the work yourself (which you are allowed to do) you must make a BR application to Building Control at your council. The alternative is to call a self-certifying electrician in. Its to keep you and your family from being electrocuted.
Live does into the breaker, neutral onto the busbar. Split the individual wires making up the thick cables on neutral into 2 and use 2 screw points if necessary.

woodchopper

Might be an idea to change the cable for the shower while you are at it - 6mm twin and earth is a bit light for it - it really depends on the length of the cable and how it is routed - 10mm twin and earth would be ideal - also check the rating of the pull cord switch ( if fitted ) while you are at it. Should be rated at a minimum of 40amps - preferably 50amp.

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