Wiring a Consumer Control Unit (CCU) is one of the most crucial steps in any domestic or commercial electrical installation. A well-wired CCU ensures that all loads are safely protected and separated for easy management and fault detection. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to wire a CCU to support both power sockets and a dedicated cooker circuit.
Materials and Tools Required
- Consumer Control Unit (double pole)
- Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs):
- 1 × 32A for cooker
- 1 × 20A for power sockets
- 1 × 63A DP Main Switch
- 6mm² cable for cooker
- 2.5mm² cable for socket circuit
- 10mm² Earth wire (if TT system)
- Screwdriver set
- Wire stripper
- Test meter
- PVC conduit or trunking
- Proper earthing and bonding conductors
Step-by-Step Wiring Process
Isolate the Supply
Before doing anything, isolate the mains supply to ensure safety. Confirm using a voltage tester that the CCU is not live.
Mount the CCU
Secure the CCU on a plywood board or wall surface using screws. Make sure it’s at a safe height and easily accessible.
Install the Main Switch
At the top of the CCU: Fit a 63A Double Pole Main Switch. This acts as the isolation point for all circuits inside the CCU.
Wiring the Main Incomer
Use 10mm² live (brown) and neutral (blue) cables to connect from the service cable to the input terminals of the main switch. Connect the earth conductor (green/yellow) to the earth bar inside the CCU.
Wiring the Cooker Circuit
From the main switch output, install a 32A MCB. Connect a 6mm² cable (live, neutral, earth) from this MCB to the cooker control unit.
Wiring the Power Socket Circuit
From the main switch output, install a 20A MCB for sockets. Run a 2.5mm² twin and earth cable from the MCB to all socket outlets.
Neutral and Earth Termination
Connect all circuit neutrals to the neutral bar. Connect all circuit earths to the earth bar. Ensure all terminations are tight and properly labelled.
Label the Circuits
Clearly label: 'Cooker' for the 32A breaker and 'Sockets' or 'Power' for the 20A breaker.
Testing and Verification
Test each circuit using a continuity tester, insulation resistance tester, and RCD tester (if applicable). Ensure there’s no short circuit and all connections are correct.
Safety Tips
- Never exceed the current rating of the cables or breakers.
- Always follow Kenya Power and IEK standards (or your local regulatory authority).
- Ensure all wiring is done by or supervised by a qualified technician.
Final Thoughts
A well-wired CCU not only guarantees electrical safety but also makes fault diagnosis and future upgrades easier. Separating high-load circuits like cookers ensures your installation remains reliable and safe.
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