Recommend a consumer unit

[atm84]

I've been off the tools for a while what is everyone's favourite consumer out there. Looking for a min 12 way split board with the option of a couple of ways on non rcd ways.

I personally like Schneider boards but does anyone have any other recommendations taking into account cost, and space inside the board, quality etc.

Obviously needs to be amendment 3 compliant.

Cheers

 

[telectrix]

wht amnd.3? that' don't come into force till january 2016.

 

[atm84]

That's when I will get round to getting it fitted, plus I like the belt and braces approach.

 

[davesparks]

That's when I will get round to getting it fitted, plus I like the belt and braces approach.

Are you concerned that you are not capable of fitting it correctly?
If it's in your own house and you are capable of fitting it properly then I see no reason not to install plastic

 

[atm84]

Fair point. So back to the original question can you recommend a make of consumer unit?

 

[davesparks]

I use Schneider units with compact RCBOs from SBS

 

[shanky887614]

I use Schneider units with compact RCBOs from SBS

i didnt think you were supposed to mix brands on new installs

 

[uksparks]

Hager every time

 

[Dave OCD]

I'd recommend Hager too,decent quality.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Hager every time

I'd recommend Hager too,decent quality.

Apart from the rubbish busbar arrangement. Still havent had an opportunity to fit an am3 starbreaker cu but their plastic boards have by far the best busbar system.

 

[davesparks]

i didnt think you were supposed to mix brands on new installs

I don't, SBS supply the unit as a Schneider enclosure with their own RCBOs pre fitted. Therefore they have manufactured the assembly and placed it on to the market.
I have purchased it as a premade unit, if I bought it as seperate parts and put it together myself then yes I would be accepting the liability for that.

 

[atm84]

I don't, SBS supply the unit as a Schneider enclosure with their own RCBOs pre fitted. Therefore they have manufactured the assembly and placed it on to the market.
I have purchased it as a premade unit, if I bought it as seperate parts and put it together myself then yes I would be accepting the liability for that.

Interesting

 

[atm84]

Apart from the rubbish busbar arrangement. Still havent had an opportunity to fit an am3 starbreaker cu but their plastic boards have by far the best busbar system.

Why is that? Why do you think their bus at system is better than Schneider?

 

[davesparks]

Interesting

Why? It's no different to most of the cheaper brands who buy their MCBs in from a single manufacturer with their own labels printed on them.
Some reputable brands do exactly the same thing. MK LN breakers were made by Siemens and their original sentry series MCBs (the good ones) were rebranded Merlin Gerin

 

[davesparks]

Why is that? Why do you think their bus at system is better than Schneider?

Starbreaker boards have a permanently fitted busbar, not one of the crappy loose cut and fit it yourself ones of other manufacturers

 

[shanky887614]

Starbreaker boards have a permanently fitted busbar, not one of the crappy loose cut and fit it yourself ones of other manufacturers

i think atm is refering to the isobar boards.

what are the crabtree boards like? i havent seen one.

 

[atm84]

i think atm is refering to the isobar boards.

what are the crabtree boards like? i havent seen one.

Yes I was

 

[shanky887614]

Yes I was

the isobar boards have a fixed busbar. i think your refering to the easy9 boards with the removable busbar (i wouldnt use them)

 

[davesparks]

Well the OP asked for a consumer unit, not a distribution board. Easy 9 are schneiders consumer unit range as they are described in their catalogues.

 

[andyb]

Are you concerned that you are not capable of fitting it correctly?
If it's in your own house and you are capable of fitting it properly then I see no reason not to install plastic

Other than complying with bs7671.