Which consumer units are best

[Andy78]

Hang on a minute - this isn't a proper argument; you're just contradicting everything I say! (C) Monty Python.

Yes it is.

 

[DPG]

No IT ISN'T

 

[Andy78]

I'm sorry I can't continue this argument until you pay some more money.

 

[frontier219]

Nice to see pedantry being demonstrated at it's finest! I think the difference is purely semantic, but as a rule 'Consumer Unit' is language I use with domestic customers, other than that it's Distribution Board.

 

[davesparks]

Nice to see pedantry being demonstrated at it's finest! I think the difference is purely semantic, but as a rule 'Consumer Unit' is language is use with domestic customers, other than that it's Distribution Board.

The regulations make a distinction between the two along with all manufacturers. I think it's a bit more than just semantics.

The original 'consumer unit' was specific to domestic single phase installations and incorporated the cutout, metering, main switch and circuit protective devices into a single unit. This was in the 1950s.
What I can't find is a more up to date definition, other than the one in bs7671 which is not overly specific

 

[frontier219]

The regulations make a distinction between the two along with all manufacturers. I think it's a bit more than just semantics.

The original 'consumer unit' was specific to domestic single phase installations and incorporated the cutout, metering, main switch and circuit protective devices into a single unit. This was in the 1950s.
What I can't find is a more up to date definition, other than the one in bs7671 which is not overly specific

View attachment 29126View attachment 29127

I know what you mean, but in reality it's semantics isn't it? When a fellow sparks says CU or DB you pretty much know what they mean...

IMO it seems like all CUs are DBs, but not all DBs are CUs...

 

[davesparks]

I ...

IMO it seems like all CUs are DBs, but not all DBs are CUs...

That's what I said earlier, and is in the definition in bs7671, CUs are a particular type of DB which has passed specific type testing and has a DP main switch and a few other things

 

[frontier219]

That's what I said earlier, and is in the definition in bs7671, CUs are a particular type of DB which has passed specific type testing and has a DP main switch and a few other things

Apologies, must've glossed over that. Been a long day!

 

[shanky887614]

That's what I said earlier, and is in the definition in bs7671, CUs are a particular type of DB which has passed specific type testing and has a DP main switch and a few other things

then what you are refering to is a mainboard or switchgear [emoji12]

 

[DPG]

O god shanky don't get him going again. Daz

 

[davesparks]

then what you are refering to is a mainboard or switchgear [emoji12]

Nope, switchgear has it's own definition and would normally encompass DBs, switch fuses, fused switches, busbar chambers etc etc.

Mainboard is not a defined term as far as I know, and not one that I think I have ever heard of before.

 

[DPG]

Oh dear. Here we go again. You did this on purpose Shanky! Daz

 

[NDG Elecs]

How about a pointed stick.... We have done bananas.... I call em a fuse box!

 

[DPG]

Pointed sticks? Pointed sticks? You think you know it all lad.

 

[shanky887614]

Nope, switchgear has it's own definition and would normally encompass DBs, switch fuses, fused switches, busbar chambers etc etc.

Mainboard is not a defined term as far as I know, and not one that I think I have ever heard of before.

here you go, acti9 wall mounted switchgear

(biggest board ive worked on is Schneider powerpact4)

 

[Midwest]

Cough! Getting back the original thread; Wylex, Crabtree (same group), Schneider, Hager & MK Electric are all offering their new 'Amendment 3' domestic consumer units. I'm not sure I would include any others IMHO. My local wholesalers usually stock from all these manufactories, but only have Wylex currently available off the shelf, and only in a couple of sizes/flavours.

Seems that metal 'Amendment 3' boards are rarer than rocking horse pooh at the moment, so OP, you should speak to your electrician to see what he can obtain or wait a while till the shelves get stocked up and the guys here, can give their views, once they fitted a few. IMO the Hager one seems to of had some thought put into the design, the rest seem to have put the contents of their plastic CU's into a metal box.

 

[messimagician]

Thanks Midwest and to all who contributed, the electrician is coming today so I'll see what he can get

 

[messimagician]

So the Electrician as been and straight away he mentioned that he uses the new AM3 boxes, he uses a brand called M2 which I had not heard of but a quick search revealed this consumer unit M2 Concept Automation

twin screws on tails and a pretty smart looking unit actually, I'm not sure how there fuses stack up though, anyone used them before ?

 

[shanky887614]

im surprised no one has brought one out with a layer of fire mastic covering the inside XD that would contain the fire.

if there is a fire it will expand and cover the lot


what good is a cable grip for the tails if the problem is a loose or bad termination

 

[drzsta]

Never heard of the them either, nice looking unit.

 

[Midwest]

There'll be some on here that will like the dual screw terminations. I thought they looked quite a lot taller than the other makes, but their dual rcd units are 256mm high, compared to similar Wylex unit of 261mm. Doesn't appear to be any prices, are they part of Proteus, distributed by CEF?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Not sure about being part of proteus, they could be as the enclosure looks the same. I know CEF stock them as seen M2 metal boards in my local CEF. I like the twin screw terminal for the main switch, Although personally I wouldn't install one in my house as I would prefer to go for a more established make like hager. Over the years we've all seen different makes spring up and disappear leaving you in the Shyt if an RCD or mcb needs replacing or even adding a new circuit on a spare way and can't get hold of an mcb as the manufacturer isn't in business anymore. For a few extra £ hager is the best bet IMO as they actually look like they have put some thought into it with the cable entry points and cable clamp for the tails etc.

 

[messimagician]

Yeah it looks like it Midwest, there Facebook page ( M2division) if you click on store it takes you to CEF.
The only thing is you can't view prices

 

[baldelectrician]

M2 is a CEF off shoot.
I personally prefer Hager.
I was in a house last week with a older Hager unit installed. I was able to easily fit the new Hager MCB's I have in the van to the 20 year old consumer unit
This is why I prefer Hager, they tend to make their gear backwards compatible, it is also a decent quality.

 

[shanky887614]

M2 is a CEF off shoot.
I personally prefer Hager.
I was in a house last week with a older Hager unit installed. I was able to easily fit the new Hager MCB's I have in the van to the 20 year old consumer unit
This is why I prefer Hager, they tend to make their gear backwards compatible, it is also a decent quality.

that is the biggest problem with Schneider gear.

ok i have a schneider board. i need a b6 mcb which one do i choose.

it could be sqaure d,merlin or a new Schneider breaker etc.

good to know about hager, thanks for that

 

[davesparks]

Schneider gear is backwards compatible, they still produce both isobar and kwickline ramges

 

[shanky887614]

Schneider gear is backwards compatible, they still produce both isobar and kwickline ramges

there are more than one type of isobar just to add to the confusion and the breakers look different (they still fit)

then there is easy9 and another series as well but i cant remember the name

 

[Deleted member 72666]

there are more than one type of isobar just to add to the confusion and the breakers look different (they still fit)

then there is easy9 and another series as well but i cant remember the name

Would that be Acti9?

 

[shanky887614]

Would that be Acti9?

nope, there is another one as well as easy9, acti9 etc

(there are 3 different boards under acti9 brand im aware off)

type A single phase
type B tpn
modular

 

[Deleted member 72666]

I was in eddies today and they had an easy9 up on the stand and it looked shee-ite! You wouldn't know it was made by scheider.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Resi9?

 

[Carlosfandango]

I remember when 17th edition boards first came out and the only 17th ed boards my local Cef stocked were m2. I fitted one at my parents and when I powered up it was showing reverse polarity. Ends up the internal links were wrong thus putting out reverse polarity. Also the mcb's were crap and the plastic cracked when tightened! Never again!!

 

[shanky887614]

Resi9?

thats the one.

yes easy9 are ****e i would rather install lap, bg or a random board from a shed

 

[messimagician]

I'm going to order the Hager unit myself for the electrician since it seems he's getting ripped off or he is charging more for this M2. just to confirm that these rcbo's are the right ones for domestic. These will be replacing two light circuits fuses, 6A B, two finals 32 B and cooker on 32A B

Unit is Hag114 VML114
Rcbo's Hag ADN106, ADN132

Gil-lec is best for prices on all these

 

[davesparks]

there are more than one type of isobar just to add to the confusion and the breakers look different (they still fit)

then there is easy9 and another series as well but i cant remember the name

They are on isobar4 now but they are all backwards compatible as far as I know, which is also the same as the previous (v good) MK sentry range as they were rebadged MG breakers.

 

[Andy78]

They are on isobar4 now but they are all backwards compatible as far as I know, which is also the same as the previous (v good) MK sentry range as they were rebadged MG breakers.

Not sure... I recently had dealings with a new Acti9 DB. The Acti9 branded MCBs fitted fine but Schneider branded C60 MCBs didn't seem to want to. I didn't confirm it with Schneider however.

 

[davesparks]

I may have been mistaken then, but I'm sure they are backwards compatible.
They are also still making the c60 and c120 MCBs

 

[tomspark93]

The easy 9 boards look quite nice once fitted. However, there isn't much room inside them for dressing cables and the internal design might as well have been designed by a small child. Why would you have a main switch on the right hand side of the board with the left terminal for the neutral and the right terminal for the live is beyond me. I wonder if their amendment 3 will be any better.

 

[Richard Burns]

I'm going to order the Hager unit myself for the electrician since it seems he's getting ripped off or he is charging more for this M2. just to confirm that these rcbo's are the right ones for domestic. These will be replacing two light circuits fuses, 6A B, two finals 32 B and cooker on 32A B

Unit is Hag114 VML114
Rcbo's Hag ADN106, ADN132

Gil-lec is best for prices on all these

Remember the board will only have a main switch in it no circuit breakers so there will be a lot of blanks to cover up..
The RCBO's are OK for domestic use.

 

[Andy78]

I may have been mistaken then, but I'm sure they are backwards compatible.
They are also still making the c60 and c120 MCBs

It could just have been me not jiggling it right. That's been the case in quite a few situations before.