Consumer unit: which comes first?

[Gary Tollison]

greetings.

Just a quick question about switch order.

Should the main circuit breaker be wired in first before the main switch, or is the main switch always first in line from the supply feed?

Thanks,

Gary

 

[telectrix]

what do you mean by main circuit breaker?

 

[KennyKen]

We need an alarm button on this forum

 

[telectrix]

 

[KennyKen]

That would make a good icon... who can make this happen Dan?

 

[Pete999]

greetings.

Just a quick question about switch order.

Should the main circuit breaker be wired in first before the main switch, or is the main switch always first in line from the supply feed?

Thanks,

Gary

Gary
Hi you don't tell us what you are in your profile, by that I mean: Electrician, Domestic Installer, Apprentice, Trainee or DIYer in order to tailor replies we need to know at what level you are.

 

[Andy78]

With such a worrying opening question I don't have much hope for this thread.

 

[Pete999]

With such a worrying opening question I don't have much hope for this thread.

I tend to agree, but patience is a virtue, lets just wait and see what the OP's experiences are, could be just staring out. On the other hand could be a complete Gimboid.

 

[Gary Tollison]

Apologies for not providing more info.

Have no fear, I am certainly not a cowboy when it comes to electricity!

In fact, I'm only just into my second year studying to be a domestic electrical installer, then planning on moving up to commercial/industrial.

I'm asking this as after having attended my first practical week, there was some discussion about the correct order that switches in the CU should be wired in.

In my understanding, the feed from the supply comes in to the main switch, and then to the circuit breakers for each circuit in the installation, yes?

Some folk attending were questioning if there should be an initial circuit breaker before the individual ones controlling the circuits.

I just thought I'd throw the question out there...

 

[KennyKen]

That would be the main switch

 

[Andy78]

Some folk attending were questioning if there should be an initial circuit breaker before the individual ones controlling the circuits.

I just thought I'd throw the question out there...

What was the answer given by the person running the course ?

 

[telectrix]

think OP is thinking of dual RCD board, where it's main switch - RCD - circuit breakers.. and wondering whether the RCD should come before or after the main switch. the answer is always main switch first. no matter what the board configuration is after.

 

[Pete999]

Apologies for not providing more info.

Have no fear, I am certainly not a cowboy when it comes to electricity!

In fact, I'm only just into my second year studying to be a domestic electrical installer, then planning on moving up to commercial/industrial.

I'm asking this as after having attended my first practical week, there was some discussion about the correct order that switches in the CU should be wired in.

In my understanding, the feed from the supply comes in to the main switch, and then to the circuit breakers for each circuit in the installation, yes?

Some folk attending were questioning if there should be an initial circuit breaker before the individual ones controlling the circuits.

I just thought I'd throw the question out there...

Main Switch is there to Isolate the rest of the installation. As has been said Main switch first, then the individual circuit breakers.

 

[Octopus]

Main Switch is there to Isolate the rest of the circuits connected to this fuseboard. As has been said Main switch first, then the individual circuit breakers.

Corrected that for you.

Many installations have 2 or more fuseboards .....

 

[Pete999]

Corrected that for you.

Many installations have 2 or more fuse boards .....

Sorry Murdoch, my post mentioned Main Switch to isolate the rest of the circuits connected to this fuse board, 1 fuse board 1 main switch, no mention of another fuse board, if the installation had more than 1 fuse board then the same would apply to each fuse board, can't see how you corrected it for me.

 

[Strima]

I think the name "Main Switch" might be a hint...

 

[Andy78]

See, told you this thread was no good.
The OP has already got everyone debating and guessing amongst themselves due to lack of info, correct terminology, and lack of updates.

 

[egg67]

Second year domestic electrical installer?
First practical week ?
Egg, chicken, chicken, egg.
Me thinks

 

[mache]

See, told you this thread was no good.
The OP has already got everyone debating and guessing amongst themselves due to lack of info, correct terminology, and lack of updates.

To be fair to the OP he came back with extra info just under an hour after first post.

 

[Pete999]

Apologies for not providing more info.

Have no fear, I am certainly not a cowboy when it comes to electricity!

In fact, I'm only just into my second year studying to be a domestic electrical installer, then planning on moving up to commercial/industrial.

I'm asking this as after having attended my first practical week, there was some discussion about the correct order that switches in the CU should be wired in.

In my understanding, the feed from the supply comes in to the main switch, and then to the circuit breakers for each circuit in the installation, yes?

Some folk attending were questioning if there should be an initial circuit breaker before the individual ones controlling the circuits.

I just thought I'd throw the question out there...

JW usually has a good explanation on all thing electrical