Lack of space to install a new metal consumer unit - advice

geezza · Mar 10, 2016

Hi All,

Just went to look at a job to replace an old consumer unit which is housed in a recessed metal box, which includes the meter and main cut out. (see picture)
The space available for a new cu is only width 290mm x depth 140mm x height 280mm. Has anyone had a similar problem as I'm struggling to find a metal cu to fit in the space?

Thanks
Geezza

Flanders · Mar 10, 2016

You say its in a metal box does it have a metal door if you so you could fit a plastic one

sparkstu · Mar 10, 2016

Had these skeleton boards before I've put consumer above is that a option for you?

geezza · Mar 10, 2016

Flanders said:
You say its in a metal box does it have a metal door if you so you could fit a plastic one

It does have a metal door, but I've spoken to Elecsa support and they say if the manufacturer say its a fire rated enclosure I can fit a plastic cu, i have no chance of finding out that!!

Andy78 · Mar 10, 2016

geezza said:
It does have a metal door, but I've spoken to Elecsa support and they say if the manufacturer say its a fire rated enclosure I can fit a plastic cu, i have no chance of finding out that!!

Ring Elecsa back and ask them where the regs say enclosures have to be fire rated, as in my regs it states non - combustible an example of which is ferrous metal.

Flanders · Mar 10, 2016

geezza said:
It does have a metal door, but I've spoken to Elecsa support and they say if the manufacturer say its a fire rated enclosure I can fit a plastic cu, i have no chance of finding out that!!

You might have to make a consumer unit using and small 8 way (PLASTIC) enclosure with 5 RCBOs and a main switch leaving you 1 spare way. as Andy says its in a non combustible enclosure and anyway if you tighten up the connections it will never catch on fire !!!

geezza · Mar 10, 2016

Flanders said:
You might have to make a consumer unit using and small 8 way (PLASTIC) enclosure with 5 RCBOs and a main switch leaving you 1 spare way. as Andy says its in a non combustible enclosure and anyway if you tighten up the connections it will never catch on fire !!!

I'm leaning that way. I think the Elecsa guy wasn't very useful on this occasion.
I'll try and source a suitable cu

YoungScud · Mar 10, 2016

Up in Scotland, at least in the area I worked for the most part (I worked in metering for the local DNO), these types of cabinet were quite common. As you've no doubt discovered, with the cover lifted off, you can see that the bottom of the CU itself is a shaped steel plate, which is, I think, spot welded to the cabinet. I'm no expert, but if there were a way to remove that bottom piece, you might then be able to fit a piece of board to affix a new CU. The biggest problem I foresee there is that, legally, you can't do that without having the DNO install an isolator, which itself would take up space. Having said that, the double pole block would be removed and the isolator would probably be placed there. At the same time, I'd anticipate that they'd upgrade the meter tails to modern colours.`It's worth considering whether you could remove the bottom of the unit.

I agree with Andyb here. Here's the full text of the new regulation:

421.1.200 Switchgear assemblies including consumer units shall:

(i) have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible or not readily combustible material, or

(ii) be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible or not readily combustible material.

NOTE 1: Ferrous metal e.g. steel is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material

NOTE 2: For the purposes of this regulation insulating material e.g. plastic meeting a 960 ºC glow-wire flammability test asdefined in BS EN 60695-2-11 is considered to be an example of a not readily combustible material.

Now, I can see nothing about fire ratings there. My own view is that, as long as you can argue that the cabinet is of a 'non-combustible or not readily combustible material', then you're good to go. I hope you get it sorted out.

Spoon · Mar 10, 2016

Andy78 said:
Ring Elecsa back and ask them where the regs say enclosures have to be fire rated, as in my regs it states non - combustible an example of which is ferrous metal.

Oh please do this, and record it..... it will be fun to listen to....

Flanders · Mar 10, 2016

geezza said:
I'm leaning that way. I think the Elecsa guy wasn't very useful on this occasion.
I'll try and source a suitable cu

OK good Look I think some wholesalers own brands make smaller DB I'm sure there was a thread on here somewhere about it

geezza · Mar 10, 2016

Flanders said:
OK good Look I think some wholesalers own brands make smaller DB I'm sure there was a thread on here somewhere about it

Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how I get on

Nuvo · Mar 10, 2016

look at a doepke board i had the same issue

uksparks · Mar 10, 2016

You will easily get a board in there, hager board, main switch and RCBOs, 10 way, I think it's about 240mm wide.

Leesparkykent · Mar 10, 2016

Wylex make an ammendment3 skeleton board to fit in a mantel unit. Seems to be a back order on them though but could be worth getting your wholesaler to chase one up. https://www.edwardes.co.uk/en/categ...tel--clifton-and-meter-cabinet-consumer-units

Midwest · Mar 12, 2016

Could you not relocate the new CU, outside of the meter box. The circuit cables should then be plenty long enough, which will then stop the DNO being funny about CU being in meter box, should they be so fickle. Know the old CU was already in there, but just a thought.

Lack of space to install a new metal consumer unit - advice

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