Which consumer units are best

[messimagician]

I have a very old Wylex fuse board which is need to bring up to current standard Amendment 3.

I believe my property is supplied using a TN-S

I'm looking for a new consumer unit that is 11 or 12 way but not sure which brands are best as I plan on going for all rcbo.

So far I've seen Schneider, Hager and Wylex units

Schneider do one called Resi9 that's top of range but can't find any places that sell them, I can only see the Easy 9 for sale

Hager do one called Design 30

Wylex seem well stocked but I hear their rcbos are over sensitive and trip a lot, also they have had a recall in the past so I'm not sure on their quality in today's climate

I'm just wanting some advice on what you guys like to install, money isn't an object so I'm not after any budget stuff

Can anyone post pictures of their installs, be it cabinets or new metal consumer units

 

[shanky887614]

???? 3 pictures of catalogue pages for acti9 distribution boards?

what is the difference between consumer and distribution then?

there the same, the A type acti9 boards are single phase as well as everyother consumer unit

 

[davesparks]

a db is a consumer unit, just another name for them.

you get single and tpn 10 way+ consumer units under acti9


acti9 are merlin gerin
easy9 are square d

They are both Schneider, they have pretty much ditched the individual brands.

 

[davesparks]

what is the difference between consumer and distribution then?

there the same, the A type acti9 boards are single phase as well as everyother consumer unit

A consumer unit is a particular type of distribution board which is intended for simple single phase domestic use.

There are definitions in BS7671

 

[shanky887614]

A consumer unit is a particular type of distribution board which is intended for simple single phase domestic use.

There are definitions in BS7671

yes and what im saying is acti9 Type A is a single phase only board thanks to the isobar so is technically a consumer unit as well

 

[DPG]

A consumer unit is a particular type of distribution board which is intended for simple single phase domestic use.

There are definitions in BS7671

No, BS7671 says 'principally domestic premises' - it is not exclusive. Although I still say that a dist board generally feeds distribution circuits to other sub-boards. Daz

 

[davesparks]

yes and what im saying is acti9 Type A is a single phase only board thanks to the isobar so is technically a consumer unit as well

Are you certain that it has the type testing to be a consumer unit? Do they not make a direct connection kit for it?

If you really want to be pedantic it is an isobar4 distribution board which uses acti9 protection and control devices.

 

[davesparks]

No, BS7671 says 'principally domestic premises' - it is not exclusive. Although I still say that a dist board generally feeds distribution circuits to other sub-boards. Daz

I did not say that it was exclusive, I said that it was intended for.

 

[DPG]

Post #33 you said consumer units are for domestic. Have a read. Daz

 

[davesparks]

Post #33 you said consumer units are for domestic. Have a read. Daz

No, I said they are INTENDED for, I did not say they are exclusively for or in any way restricted to use in domestic installations.

 

[DPG]

Hang on a minute - this isn't a proper argument; you're just contradicting everything I say! (C) Monty Python.

 

[Andy78]

Hang on a minute - this isn't a proper argument; you're just contradicting everything I say! (C) Monty Python.

Yes it is.

 

[DPG]

No IT ISN'T

 

[Andy78]

I'm sorry I can't continue this argument until you pay some more money.

 

[frontier219]

Nice to see pedantry being demonstrated at it's finest! I think the difference is purely semantic, but as a rule 'Consumer Unit' is language I use with domestic customers, other than that it's Distribution Board.

 

[davesparks]

Nice to see pedantry being demonstrated at it's finest! I think the difference is purely semantic, but as a rule 'Consumer Unit' is language is use with domestic customers, other than that it's Distribution Board.

The regulations make a distinction between the two along with all manufacturers. I think it's a bit more than just semantics.

The original 'consumer unit' was specific to domestic single phase installations and incorporated the cutout, metering, main switch and circuit protective devices into a single unit. This was in the 1950s.
What I can't find is a more up to date definition, other than the one in bs7671 which is not overly specific

 

[frontier219]

The regulations make a distinction between the two along with all manufacturers. I think it's a bit more than just semantics.

The original 'consumer unit' was specific to domestic single phase installations and incorporated the cutout, metering, main switch and circuit protective devices into a single unit. This was in the 1950s.
What I can't find is a more up to date definition, other than the one in bs7671 which is not overly specific

View attachment 29126View attachment 29127

I know what you mean, but in reality it's semantics isn't it? When a fellow sparks says CU or DB you pretty much know what they mean...

IMO it seems like all CUs are DBs, but not all DBs are CUs...

 

[davesparks]

I ...

IMO it seems like all CUs are DBs, but not all DBs are CUs...

That's what I said earlier, and is in the definition in bs7671, CUs are a particular type of DB which has passed specific type testing and has a DP main switch and a few other things

 

[frontier219]

That's what I said earlier, and is in the definition in bs7671, CUs are a particular type of DB which has passed specific type testing and has a DP main switch and a few other things

Apologies, must've glossed over that. Been a long day!

 

[shanky887614]

That's what I said earlier, and is in the definition in bs7671, CUs are a particular type of DB which has passed specific type testing and has a DP main switch and a few other things

then what you are refering to is a mainboard or switchgear [emoji12]

 

[DPG]

O god shanky don't get him going again. Daz

 

[davesparks]

then what you are refering to is a mainboard or switchgear [emoji12]

Nope, switchgear has it's own definition and would normally encompass DBs, switch fuses, fused switches, busbar chambers etc etc.

Mainboard is not a defined term as far as I know, and not one that I think I have ever heard of before.

 

[DPG]

Oh dear. Here we go again. You did this on purpose Shanky! Daz

 

[NDG Elecs]

How about a pointed stick.... We have done bananas.... I call em a fuse box!

 

[DPG]

Pointed sticks? Pointed sticks? You think you know it all lad.

 

[shanky887614]

Nope, switchgear has it's own definition and would normally encompass DBs, switch fuses, fused switches, busbar chambers etc etc.

Mainboard is not a defined term as far as I know, and not one that I think I have ever heard of before.

here you go, acti9 wall mounted switchgear

(biggest board ive worked on is Schneider powerpact4)

 

[Midwest]

Cough! Getting back the original thread; Wylex, Crabtree (same group), Schneider, Hager & MK Electric are all offering their new 'Amendment 3' domestic consumer units. I'm not sure I would include any others IMHO. My local wholesalers usually stock from all these manufactories, but only have Wylex currently available off the shelf, and only in a couple of sizes/flavours.

Seems that metal 'Amendment 3' boards are rarer than rocking horse pooh at the moment, so OP, you should speak to your electrician to see what he can obtain or wait a while till the shelves get stocked up and the guys here, can give their views, once they fitted a few. IMO the Hager one seems to of had some thought put into the design, the rest seem to have put the contents of their plastic CU's into a metal box.

 

[messimagician]

Thanks Midwest and to all who contributed, the electrician is coming today so I'll see what he can get

 

[messimagician]

So the Electrician as been and straight away he mentioned that he uses the new AM3 boxes, he uses a brand called M2 which I had not heard of but a quick search revealed this consumer unit M2 Concept Automation

twin screws on tails and a pretty smart looking unit actually, I'm not sure how there fuses stack up though, anyone used them before ?

 

[shanky887614]

im surprised no one has brought one out with a layer of fire mastic covering the inside XD that would contain the fire.

if there is a fire it will expand and cover the lot


what good is a cable grip for the tails if the problem is a loose or bad termination

 

[drzsta]

Never heard of the them either, nice looking unit.