Consumer unit: which comes first?

Strima · Jul 24, 2017

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

Andy78 · Jul 24, 2017

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 · Jul 24, 2017

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

mache · Jul 24, 2017

Andy78 said:
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 · Jul 24, 2017

Gary Tollison said:
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

Pete999 · Jul 24, 2017

Pete999 said:
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.

See what you are getting at now Murdoch, ignore my post above

Octopus · Jul 24, 2017

^^ I did. I knew you were wrong!

Richard Burns · Jul 24, 2017

Inside a CU the main switch is first, then (if present) DP RCDs protecting a block of circuits, then MCBs or RCBOs protecting individual circuits or distribution circuits out of the CU.
If there are multiple boards fed directly from the same supply then there should be a main switch that isolates the installation as a whole between the supply and the boards, though each board should have its own main switch as well.
If the supply is remote from the board (generally >3m) then a circuit protective device should be installed less than 3m from the supply head.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Consumer unit: which comes first?

Toneyz · Jul 26, 2017

Pete999 said:
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.

It's difficult to respond to a O.P. in the way of terminology if people don't fill it in.

Toneyz · Jul 26, 2017

Andy78 said:
With such a worrying opening question I don't have much hope for this thread.

The thing is with a lot of posts they should be either in the trainee section where noble members can give their time and experience or the DIY section.

Gary Tollison · Jul 31, 2017

Hello again.

well, I must apologise if this is not the correct area for this post!

A thank you to those who have helped.

Consumer unit: which comes first?

Strima

-

Andy78

-

egg67

-

mache

-

Pete999

-

Pete999

-

Octopus

Richard Burns

-

Toneyz

Toneyz

Gary Tollison

-

News and Offers from Sponsors

Similar threads

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

YOUR Unread Posts