6 way consumer units

[Jackflash]

Hi, What type of consumer unit would you install in a residential property when there's only about 5 circuits?

3+3 boards are super expensive 5+5 split load boards always seem to be the cheapest but seems a bit overkill then it's a few too many rcbo's to make it financially viable. Do people ever use single rcd main switch consumer units at all now?

Thanks

 

[FAA Greenie]

Personally, if there is room for it, just put a 10 way in. It's not really overkill, just a few extra inches, we could all think of something to with that sooner or later.....

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Hi, What type of consumer unit would you install in a residential property when there's only about 5 circuits?

3+3 boards are super expensive 5+5 split load boards always seem to be the cheapest but seems a bit overkill then it's a few too many rcbo's to make it financially viable. Do people ever use single rcd main switch consumer units at all now?

Thanks

In short, no, unless its to cover one additional circuit. As in one MCB. MAYBE TWO!

leaving spare ways is not overkill......

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I bet you could get a 6 way board and 5 RCBOs for under a 100 if you shop about!

 

[krissiboy]

Definitely wouldn't use rcd as main sw for all circuits. If I put in a new c/u for a customer I'd always have a few ways spare. You can pick up a 5+5 arrangement for around 70 quid. 5 rcbo's will cost u more than that.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Definitely wouldn't use rcd as main sw for all circuits. If I put in a new c/u for a customer I'd always have a few ways spare. You can pick up a 5+5 arrangement for around 70 quid. 5 rcbo's will cost u more than that.

But using 5 RCBOs is just better for the sake of 20/30 quid!

 

[Old Tiler 19727]

Whatever you fit it better be something cheap - "but consumer units are only £50 in B&Q".

 

[Octopus]

Hi, What type of consumer unit would you install in a residential property when there's only about 5 circuits?

3+3 boards are super expensive 5+5 split load boards always seem to be the cheapest but seems a bit overkill then it's a few too many rcbo's to make it financially viable. Do people ever use single rcd main switch consumer units at all now?

Thanks

And how exactly would that comply with the regs?

 

[krissiboy]

Changed a board in a house the other day. Only had 2 circuits.....Sockets and lights. So it was 2 x rcbo's. Was gas heating and gas cooker. Fastest fit of a cu in my life. The bonding took me longer to do.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Changed a board in a house the other day. Only had 2 circuits.....Sockets and lights. So it was 2 x rcbo's. Was gas heating and gas cooker. Fastest fit of a cu in my life. The bonding took me longer to do.

Yes still throws me when I see it, start looking for the other board, but no! Just two fuses.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

In short, no, unless its to cover one additional circuit. As in one MCB. MAYBE TWO!

leaving spare ways is not overkill......

leaving spare ways is compliance....10% spare....

 

[sjhall]

I like the Hager 6 way split board

 

[NJG28]

. Do people ever use single rcd main switch consumer units at all now?

Thanks

Great idea. Leave customer with 2/5ths of nowt when rcd trips !

Can't possibly comply with Regs can it?

 

[Selfmade]

If you are short of space for a 10 way and definitely have no more than 5 circuits, I'd point out that Wylex make a 7 way dual RCD (or even high integrity!) CU. Crabtree make an 8 way dual RCD. If customer is on a tight budget CED/Excel (same product?) also make an 8 way. These are just examples.

 

[Englishman]

Hi, What type of consumer unit would you install in a residential property when there's only about 5 circuits?

3+3 boards are super expensive 5+5 split load boards always seem to be the cheapest but seems a bit overkill then it's a few too many rcbo's to make it financially viable. Do people ever use single rcd main switch consumer units at all now?

Thanks

I had to put one in last week, had a gap of about 310mm, put an 8 way rcd main switch in, was about 280mm wide I think. I don't particularly like doing it but needs must.

 

[Engineer54]

An all RCBO's CU is the way to go, and it can't get much cheaper than here to provide that individual facility!!


Consumer Units, Fuse Boards, Fuse Box, MCB, RCD from Wyeverne Electrical

 

[Englishman]

And that shows what.....

 

[Engineer54]

If you look, it will show the following examples... Moulded Main Switch Board 100A - 06 Way Single Module RCBO 16Amp Type B 10kA [TD="align: right"]

[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]£14.30 ex.VAT





£9.75 ex. VAT


[/TD]

 

[GLENNSPARK]

just had a look at that eng....

prices good...but they look familiar...like a rebadged something that i have worked on several times....and wasn`t impressed i can tell you...

but you gets what you pays for ...i guess..

 

[GLENNSPARK]

looks like a plastic din-rail in them as well...

no no..i dont like it...

 

[Englishman]

£12 rcbos, don't think ill risk it thanks. It's not me paying for the materials either so it's not really relevant.

 

[MDJ]

I bet you could get a 6 way board and 5 RCBOs for under a 100 if you shop about!

you can get a 12 way lewden with 9 rcbos for £95.00

 

[SPARTYKUS]

£12 rcbos, don't think ill risk it thanks. It's not me paying for the materials either so it's not really relevant.

been using ones that cost less than that for years, no problems.

you could use an expensive make like Electriums, and wait for the next recall......

 

[richy3333]

Denmans Curve RCBO boards are cheap and would fit the bill. The RCBO's are £10 ish

 

[Engineer54]

looks like a plastic din-rail in them as well...

no no..i dont like it...

To be honest i didn't notice that, but then i have no problem with them.

Some of our small S/Phase remote DB's have those moulded-in Din rails and to be honest i don't mind them at all. one thing you don't get, is any leaning to one side or the other as you often see with the thin metal Din rails....


As for the comment about not trusting £12+ RCBO's, i wonder what he thinks he's paying the extra for, when spending twice or three times that price?? Sod all, except a premium trade name is the answer!! The company that is selling these boards and protective devices has been in business since 1948 and has a bonafide address, and guarantees all it's products for 12 months. What more do you want?? All our boards panels etc are Schneider (Merlin Gerin) and i know that many here would be totally shocked just how many RCD devices get sent back for replacement due to failure of one sort or another.

Another fact is, that many of these cheaper or budget brand protection devices are actually manufactured in the same building and on the same machines as the so-called premium units!!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

^^^^^ just like tyres E54

 

[Guitarist]

I had to put one in last week, had a gap of about 310mm, put an 8 way rcd main switch in, was about 280mm wide I think. I don't particularly like doing it but needs must.

By doing this you have not complied with the regs. If "needs must", due to space, then you fit a board with main switch and RCBO's.

 

[Plonker 3]

Denmans Curve RCBO boards are cheap and would fit the bill. The RCBO's are £10 ish

^ This, I have 2 of these boards in family members homes and not had a single problem with either of them. Still go back every now and then to test them and they are both fine.