This Q & A of the Day is about possible use of an additional consumer unit in a domestic kitchen being renovated. It is answered by the ECA (Theme – Distribution Equipment):
Question: We are to carry out alterations to a domestic kitchen that needs extra circuits. The existing consumer unit is re-wirable. The customer is reluctant to upgrade this existing consumer unit.
We propose to fit a four-way additional consumer unit to accommodate the new circuits. One of the ways will also supply the existing consumer unit with an MCB.
What extent of testing is required for this circuit?
Will all of the existing consumer unit now require testing, or just to the existing consumer unit main switch?
Would it also be a preference to block connect the double insulated tails, as there is an isolator switch present - rather than creating a new circuit through the additional consumer unit?
Answer: Normally you would use blocks on the tails to feed the new consumer unit - leaving the existing consumer unit as is.
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