Consumer unit

[Fred66]

Hi just a quick question is it possible to connect a second consumer unit on the same supply cable

 

[StillGoing]

Hi just a quick question is it possible to connect a second consumer unit on the same supply cable

Why? What are you trying to achieve?

 

[pappajohn]

Yes, but as above.....why.
If you need more ways fit a larger unit.

 

[autorouter]

Are you fitting a second CU next to the existing one, to add more circuits and trip switches? Or are you thinking of a second CU in a different place, maybe one in the garage as well as one in the electrics cupboard?

 

[Raul]

Hi just a quick question is it possible to connect a second consumer unit on the same supply cable

Yes, as long as the feed to second CU, comes from the first CU through a dedicated MCB.

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[Pausim]

Hi Fred66 welcome to your first entry on the Motorhomefun site.

I expect your existing consumer unit has a maximum 16A rating as this is the maximum amount the incoming hook up wire and site bollard are likely to be able to supply safely. If you introduce a second consumer unit that bypasses the original one you will need to down rate the existing one by replacing the incoming breaker with a lower amperage one so that the maximum of the two units does not exceed 16A. You could have a 10A breaker in one unit and a 6A breaker in the other. The safer thing to do is as suggested by Raul above and feed the second one from the output of the original one.

Some sites have more limited supplies of only 10A or even 6A, I have visited some UK sites this year that have down rated their supplies from 16A to 10A and one that has only ever offered a 6A supply. You always need to be careful about the rating of the supply from the site bollard and make sure you are not exceeding it. Otherwise you may suffer a power cut or worse still cut off others as well, you don’t want other people running up and down outside shouting “bollards”.

 

[DerryW]

Hi just a quick question is it possible to connect a second consumer unit on the same supply cable

As Papajohn says.

 

[Raul]

If you introduce a second consumer unit that bypasses the original one you will need to down rate the existing one by replacing the incoming breaker with a lower amperage one so that the maximum of the two units does not exceed 16A. You could have a 10A breaker in one unit and a 6A breaker in the other.

It doesn't work like that, you don’t bypass the first CU, and you don’t need to downgrade anything in the CU1. You fit a dedicated distribution circuit, that feeds the CU2 downstream of CU1. And it can be feed by a full 16A (same as the incoming), or 10A mcb.

 

[Raul]

Yes, but as above.....why.
If you need more ways fit a larger unit.

What if you don’t have the space for a larger CU? Or you may need the power else where.

 

[Pausim]

It doesn't work like that, you don’t bypass the first CU, and you don’t need to downgrade anything in the CU1. You fit a dedicated distribution circuit, that feeds the CU2 downstream of CU1. And it can be feed by a full 16A (same as the incoming), or 10A mcb.

I thought I had said that was the better way to connect a second CU, perhaps I over complicated the discussion. I was worried the op might be hoping to to increase the power available by adding a second CU alongside the first one rather than through it.

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[dunnah01]

You could fit a dedicated 16a RCCB or RCBO to the EHU feed before the CUs and then fit as many CUs as you need to suit the number of curcuits you need but you'll still be limited to a max of 16a. You may need to fit a 5a version if touring in the EU where power is frequently restricted.

 

[Raul]

In a Motorhome we are restricted to 16A max. Can’t increase that, but, you can redistribute some, or all of it.

 

[Raul]

You could fit a dedicated 16a RCCB or RCBO to the EHU feed before the CUs and then fit as many CUs as you need

No, you can’t do that either. Each downstream distribution CU feed, needs its own circuit and protection from main CU. You will have a mcb for each CU downstream, in the main CU.
Like you have at home, a mcb in the main CU, that feeds your garage CU.

 

[Alanf75]

I have done this but the reasoning was for fitting a multiplus. The original CU couldn't really be added to as it has restrictive input/output connections. I had thought of swapping it all out for a larger unit to get the return from the Multiplus, but then ran into issues with the stress relief and cable management. In the end I got another CU which was small enough to fit next to the original and this now takes the return supply from the Multiplus and redistributed the power appropriately to my sockets. It's also a decent quality CBE unit designed for MHs and not too different from the original. I've marked it up as to what each unit does and where the power comes and goes.

 

[dunnah01]

No, you can’t do that either. Each downstream distribution CU feed, needs its own circuit and protection from main CU. You will have a mcb for each CU downstream, in the main CU.
Like you have at home, a mcb in the main CU, that feeds your garage CU.

But we have quite old skool RCCB protection to two CUs at home with each having RCD and individual circuit MCBs. The garage CU has RCD and MCB off one of CUs and then it's own RCD and MCB protections. Seems complex but it works so I'm not going to mess with it

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[Fred66]

Why? What are you trying to achieve?

I have bought a ninja outside smoker I want to fit its own consumer unit is this the best way forward if it is what the best unit please

 

[Fred66]

Hi Fred66 welcome to your first entry on the Motorhomefun site.

I expect your existing consumer unit has a maximum 16A rating as this is the maximum amount the incoming hook up wire and site bollard are likely to be able to supply safely. If you introduce a second consumer unit that bypasses the original one you will need to down rate the existing one by replacing the incoming breaker with a lower amperage one so that the maximum of the two units does not exceed 16A. You could have a 10A breaker in one unit and a 6A breaker in the other. The safer thing to do is as suggested by Raul above and feed the second one from the output of the original one.

Some sites have more limited supplies of only 10A or even 6A, I have visited some UK sites this year that have down rated their supplies from 16A to 10A and one that has only ever offered a 6A supply. You always need to be careful about the rating of the supply from the site bollard and make sure you are not exceeding it. Otherwise you may suffer a power cut or worse still cut off others as well, you don’t want other people running up and down outside shouting “bollards”.

Can I fit a outside socket from a existing socket rather than fitting a second consumer unit solely for the purpose of my ninja BBQ smoker please

 

[mitzimad]

Can I fit a outside socket from a existing socket rather than fitting a second consumer unit solely for the purpose of my ninja BBQ smoker please

yes

 

[St3v3]

Can I fit a outside socket from a existing socket rather than fitting a second consumer unit solely for the purpose of my ninja BBQ smoker please

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335271286055

That type of thing

 

[Lenny HB]

Sounds far to complicated, I have 16 amp RCBO on the supply input and the output feeds the Multiplus and another 16 amp RCBO on the Multiplus output.
I do feed the fridge from the first RCBO so the fridge on auto does not switch to mains when the inverter is on, only when there is an EHU.

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[eddie]

Sounds far to complicated, I have 16 amp RCBO on the supply input and the output feeds the Multiplus and another 16 amp RCBO on the Multiplus output.
I do feed the fridge from the first RCBO so the fridge on auto does not switch to mains when the inverter is on, only when there is an EHU.

Snap

Too many multi plus installations rely on the incoming main protection which is potentially lethal

Hook up socket - RCBO - Multi plus - Original RCBO Distribution Board

My Ninja smoker BBQ works a treat

Last night, my Tefal induction hob and my Ninja were both working happily away, the Multiple plus "assisting" the 16amp incoming main when needed

 

[autorouter]

Can I fit a outside socket from a existing socket rather than fitting a second consumer unit solely for the purpose of my ninja BBQ smoker please

Another option is one of these. Available in white or grey.

Bullfinch Outdoor Electric Socket Outlet Point for Campervans, Caravans and Motorhomes

The Bullfinch Outdoor Electric Socket is available in white or grey

www.jacksonsleisure.com