Consumer Unit replacement

[Ccx295]

Hi all,

I have had two quotes on a consumer unit replacement which have both come in at a similar price (£10 difference) They are both recommended so no issues there.

However one has quoted for a Mk 10way AMD 3 circuit breaker consumer unit and the other has mentioned "Upgrade the consumer unit to a metal board fitted with individual RBCO's"

Are they both essentially the same? (I want to make sure we get the most for our money)

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Any AMD 3 board will be metal, however unless stated otherwise will be an MCB populated board, with RCD/s. The RCBO option would typically be more expensive but gives circuit level discrimination in a fault condition, rather than tripping half (or all) of the board.

 

[Octopus]

Go for the one with rcbo's - a far better solution.

Make sure that their quotes include part P notification and an EIC

 

[Ccx295]

Thanks guys I will go for RCBO quote considering it will only cost £10 more.

 

[Pete999]

AMD 3 stipulates Non combustible CUs within a Domestic Premises, the first quote doesn't say what type of OCPDs (circuit breakers) will be used the second mentions all RCBOs which are combined CBs and RCDs, so if an earth fault develops you will only lose that circuit with the fault on it.
I you went with an AMD 3 dual RCD CU and any of the circuits controlled by 1 of the RCDs then you would loose all the circuits protected by that RCD, if the CU has been connected up correctly, sometimes a crossed Neutral connection can cause both RCDs to trip, depends what make of RCBO CU the Electrician is supplying, most RCBO boards can a little bit more expensive. Hope my descrition is clear to you. Sorry wrong atatchment ignore Guide4

 

[Octopus]

Make sure they provide the necessary certification

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I would take the rcbo board option myself, offers convenience in the event of a fault.

 

[telectrix]

and don't accept a MK CU they are crap.

 

[DC-backfrom the past]

what is the preferred choice CU that any of you use ?

bit off topic I know

 

[telectrix]

BG for the cheaper option. crabtree starbreaker if the job can stand the extra cost.

 

[Dave OCD]

BG or Hager for me usually.

 

[telectrix]

i like hager but nobodl close stocks hager.

 

[Pete999]

AMD 3 stipulates Non combustible CUs within a Domestic Premises, the first quote doesn't say what type of OCPDs (circuit breakers) will be used the second mentions all RCBOs which are combined CBs and RCDs, so if an earth fault develops you will only lose that circuit with the fault on it.
I you went with an AMD 3 dual RCD CU and any of the circuits controlled by 1 of the RCDs then you would loose all the circuits protected by that RCD, if the CU has been connected up correctly, sometimes a crossed Neutral connection can cause both RCDs to trip, depends what make of RCBO CU the Electrician is supplying, most RCBO boards can a little bit more expensive. Hope my descrition is clear to you. Sorry wrong atatchment ignore Guide4

 

[MJPD29]

Do not let anyone fit mk in your house cheap rubbish

 

[telectrix]

Do not let anyone fit mk in your house cheap rubbish

rubbish yes.cheap..no. seen the price of their MCBs in B&Q? £7 each. compared with BG @ £4. and the BG ones sit right.

 

[SJD]

Today I fitted a 12-way Contactum Defender, having not used this brand for a few years now. Mostly I was pleasantly surprised, nicer looking than their old metal ones, and fairly easy to install.

A couple of minor niggles - the knockouts were really difficult to knock out, and only has 3 mounting screw holes (sometimes one screw point can be over a missing bit of wall, so need more than 3 in case).

The MCBs look very much like BG, possibly they come from the same factory?

 

[MJPD29]

Today I fitted a 12-way Contactum Defender, having not used this brand for a few years now. Mostly I was pleasantly surprised, nicer looking than their old metal ones, and fairly easy to install.

A couple of minor niggles - the knockouts were really difficult to knock out, and only has 3 mounting screw holes (sometimes one screw point can be over a missing bit of wall, so need more than 3 in case).

The MCBs look very much like BG, possibly they come from the same factory?

I always use contactum now I find then very good and very reliable I've never had an rcd or rcbo fail any test. I agree they are hard to knock out but they are sturdy and well made

 

[123]

rubbish yes.cheap..no. seen the price of their MCBs in B&Q? £7 each. compared with BG @ £4. and the BG ones sit right.

Those MCB prices are daylight robbery. Even Hager is much cheaper than that, B&Q sticking the arm in

 

[123]

Today I fitted a 12-way Contactum Defender, having not used this brand for a few years now. Mostly I was pleasantly surprised, nicer looking than their old metal ones, and fairly easy to install.

A couple of minor niggles - the knockouts were really difficult to knock out, and only has 3 mounting screw holes (sometimes one screw point can be over a missing bit of wall, so need more than 3 in case).

The MCBs look very much like BG, possibly they come from the same factory?

The Contactum & BG Plastic CU's were identical bar the badge, the MCB's and RCD's are still identical bar the badge, the bare unit is now somewhat different.

 

[Pete999]

Today I fitted a 12-way Contactum Defender, having not used this brand for a few years now. Mostly I was pleasantly surprised, nicer looking than their old metal ones, and fairly easy to install.

A couple of minor niggles - the knockouts were really difficult to knock out, and only has 3 mounting screw holes (sometimes one screw point can be over a missing bit of wall, so need more than 3 in case).

The MCBs look very much like BG, possibly they come from the same factory?

Drill some more fixing holes