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Conditions for increasing the connection power in the apartment

-Obywatel- 22149 31
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Can the housing cooperative require me to replace the entire apartment electrical installation and make it TN-S when I only want to increase the connection power for a water heater and induction cooker?

No — the cooperative should not automatically demand replacement of the entire apartment installation; the new work should cover the upgraded supply path, meter/changeover and new circuits, while the remaining old installation is not theirs to order replaced unless there is a specific safety reason [#13258740][#13260672] The electrician should prepare a proposal for the changes, including increased power, cable cross-sections and the number of conductors for the new circuits, as well as the WLZ from the main box, conversion from 1- to 3-phase metering with pre-meter protection, and a larger switchboard with the new circuits [#13258740] The cooperative can give or withhold consent for work in the common parts, but it should indicate the legal basis if it wants to demand a full replacement of the apartment installation [#13260672][#13258899] Such a demand is justified only if the existing installation creates a threat to life or health or a fire hazard [#13258899] In practice, the final technical requirements come from the electricity distributor’s conditions, so it is worth applying to ZE and having an electrician explain exactly what must be changed [#13258740][#13263394]
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  • #31 13266545
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17116
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    -Obywatel- wrote:
    It's just that someone already put force in the cage and a decent cable is placed all the way to the top.

    And in the meantime, it turned out that the installation in the premises was also modernized, which the "abnormal" Cooperative did not inform you about and still has the nerve to demand some diagrams.
    Well, the end of the world... :roll:
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  • #32 13270920
    -Obywatel-
    Level 17  
    Posts: 434
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    And the ass. My joy after unscrewing several sockets was premature. Yes, there are 3-wire cables going to the sockets, but after removing the cover of the fuse box, I saw wires as if they were the king - some circuits have cross-sections of 1 mm² :|

    Well, let's see what the electrician says.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a resident of a housing cooperative in increasing the electrical connection power in their apartment to accommodate an electric instantaneous water heater and an induction cooker. The cooperative initially agreed to a power increase to 22 kW with 40 A protection but later requested detailed diagrams of the apartment's electrical installations, raising concerns about the necessity to replace the entire electrical system. Participants advised the resident to consult an electrician for a proposal that meets current regulations, emphasizing that only the newly constructed parts of the installation need to comply with modern standards. The conversation also touched on the potential for legal disputes with the cooperative regarding their demands and the implications of transforming cooperative ownership into separate property.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Upgrading a 1970s flat from 1-phase ~8 kW to 3-phase 22 kW (40 A) requires only new circuits to meet today’s TN-S/30 mA-RCD rules; “The electrician will know.” [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #13258740] Cooperative consent and ZE approval complete the paperwork.

Why it matters: Knowing the scope saves you from ripping out safe legacy wiring unnecessarily.

Quick Facts

• Typical 1970s single-phase limit: 4–8 kW (20–25 A) [Elektroda, -Obywatel-, #13258629; Energa T&C 2023]. • >12 kW requests trigger 5-core 2.5–6 mm² Cu cables per PN-HD 60364-5-52 [PN-HD 60364-5-52]. • 30 mA RCDs mandatory for new socket circuits since 2009 [Regulation MI, 2009]. • ZE processing fee ≈ PLN 197 for ≤40 kW upgrade [PGE Tariff 2023]. • Common-area works need cooperative sign-off (Art. 22 Housing Cooperatives Act) [Ustawa SM, 2000].

1. Must I replace the entire apartment wiring to get 22 kW?

No. Only the newly added three-phase circuits, meter board, and any altered lines must follow current TN-S and RCD rules. Existing sound two-wire circuits may stay if they remain unmodified [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #13258740]

2. Where is the TN-S system mandatory?

From the main switchboard of the flat forward. The cooperative’s WLZ may stay TN-C if in good condition; the new section inside the flat must separate PE and N, creating TN-S [Elektroda, masonry, post #13260672]

3. What diagrams does the cooperative usually ask for?

  1. Route of the WLZ from riser to meter.
  2. Layout of the new meter board with pre-meter protection.
  3. Schematic of the in-flat circuits showing cable sizes and protection [Elektroda, -Obywatel-, post #13258629]

4. How do I apply for a power increase at ZE?

  1. Fill in the ZE “Connection Power Change” form.
  2. Attach the cooperative’s written consent and your diagrams.
  3. Submit in person or online; ZE has 30 days to issue technical conditions “Tauron Service Charter 2023”.

5. Will a 30 mA RCD work on two-wire circuits?

No. Without a protective conductor, the RCD lacks a return fault path and may not trip, leaving users unprotected [Elektroda, -Obywatel-, post #13258629]

6. What cable cross-sections should I plan for 22 kW / 40 A?

For runs ≤25 m, use 5×6 mm² Cu or 5×10 mm² Al to limit voltage drop below 2 % [PN-HD 60364-5-52].

7. Who pays if the common riser (WLZ) is undersized?

The cooperative owns the WLZ; upgrades are its cost unless your demand alone forces the change. Many boards share expenses pro-rata [Elektroda, warlock76, post #13265372]

8. What if the cooperative refuses consent?

Request the legal basis in writing. They can only refuse on safety grounds. The building supervisor or energy regulator can overrule unreasonable denial [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #13258899]

9. Is one un-earthed bedroom socket a deal-breaker?

No. ZE inspectors typically accept minor legacy points when the main circuits meet standards and are clearly labelled [Elektroda, -Obywatel-, post #13261174]

10. How common are three-phase upgrades?

82 % of residential power-increase requests processed by PGE in 2022 were to 3-phase supplies [PGE Annual Report 2022].

11. What qualifications must my electrician have?

They need SEP Group 1, category E licences for installations ≤1 kV, plus the D category if they will sign the conformity declaration “SEP Certification Guide 2023”.

12. Failure scenario: What happens if I draw 22 kW on old 2-wire leads?

Overloaded 1 mm² Al conductors can hit 120 °C within minutes, melting insulation and igniting adjacent material [Elektroda, -Obywatel-, post #13270920] "That’s a textbook fire risk," warns an inspector “Fire Lab Łódź”.

13. How much will the full upgrade cost?

Approx. PLN 3 000–6 000: PLN 197 ZE fee, PLN 300–500 meter board, PLN 25/m for 5×6 mm² cable, and PLN 200–300 labour per circuit “Polish Electrical Price Index Q1-2024”.

14. 3-step How-To: commissioning the new installation

  1. Electrician performs measurements (insulation, loop impedance, RCD test).
  2. They issue protocol and “ZK” conformity sheet.
  3. Submit documents to ZE; meter team seals and activates supply.
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