So that I can understand how the electrical energy that I consume is being used I want to fit one of these to my consumer unit (CU) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/EMPORIA-EN...37ML2R/ref=psdc_1938287031_t1_B00G5DZK8I?th=1 The power meter appears to be primarily produced for the USA market and its standards.
The CU is a Crabtree Starbreaker image attached/here - PXL_20211105_203526416.jpg - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkQ39xZI1R4EkuBZw6HDW1Rud6QLbg?e=WMsdcU
The device is designed to be installed inside the consumer unit but there may be insufficient space for this so I have two sets of questions one for internal and external fitment. Other considerations i) the installation will be isolated prior to any work inside the CU using the isolator in the meter box, ii) my understanding is that this work isn’t notifiable as there are no new circuits and it doesn’t involve ‘Any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location’.
Internal Fitment
Is it acceptable to install such a device in the CU?
The wifi aerial may need to be fitted external to the CU, options i) mounted in a hole drilled in the CU case or ii) externally mounted to the adjacent wall with the aerial cable exiting the case via a hole/gland – are these options acceptable?
External Fitment
In this situation I would propose to bring the CT clamp leads out of the CU and mount the control box adjacent to the CU. In this situation is it necessary/appropriate to mount the control box in an enclosure? Part of the reason for this question is that the manufacturer supplied power lead appears to be single insulated which wouldn’t be acceptable without additional protection (conduit/enclosure etc).
The CT clamp lead/control box connections are 90 degrees which may make it tricky to pass 16 of them through a gland or conduit. For the gland situation I’d thought of cutting a slot lengthways to allow the cable to pass into the gland opening, is this acceptable are there any alternative options?
Power Supply
The power can be taken from an existing breaker for internal or external fitment – is this acceptable?
Fitting another breaker to provide a dedicated supply is another option but this method would I believe make this part of the work notifiable – is my understanding correct?
Many thanks
The CU is a Crabtree Starbreaker image attached/here - PXL_20211105_203526416.jpg - https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkQ39xZI1R4EkuBZw6HDW1Rud6QLbg?e=WMsdcU
The device is designed to be installed inside the consumer unit but there may be insufficient space for this so I have two sets of questions one for internal and external fitment. Other considerations i) the installation will be isolated prior to any work inside the CU using the isolator in the meter box, ii) my understanding is that this work isn’t notifiable as there are no new circuits and it doesn’t involve ‘Any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location’.
Internal Fitment
Is it acceptable to install such a device in the CU?
The wifi aerial may need to be fitted external to the CU, options i) mounted in a hole drilled in the CU case or ii) externally mounted to the adjacent wall with the aerial cable exiting the case via a hole/gland – are these options acceptable?
External Fitment
In this situation I would propose to bring the CT clamp leads out of the CU and mount the control box adjacent to the CU. In this situation is it necessary/appropriate to mount the control box in an enclosure? Part of the reason for this question is that the manufacturer supplied power lead appears to be single insulated which wouldn’t be acceptable without additional protection (conduit/enclosure etc).
The CT clamp lead/control box connections are 90 degrees which may make it tricky to pass 16 of them through a gland or conduit. For the gland situation I’d thought of cutting a slot lengthways to allow the cable to pass into the gland opening, is this acceptable are there any alternative options?
Power Supply
The power can be taken from an existing breaker for internal or external fitment – is this acceptable?
Fitting another breaker to provide a dedicated supply is another option but this method would I believe make this part of the work notifiable – is my understanding correct?
Many thanks
Last edited by a moderator:
