Stupid positioning of consumer units...

Gavin John Hyde · Sep 2, 2018

Called by a customer yesterday as the cover on the consumer unit has come off and they were panicking. Agreed to call in this morning.
Its a new build house, the consumer unit is located immediately adjacent to the side door. When it opens the door handle/ lock bangs into the cover.
Over time it has become dented and eventually the left screw has come loose and the cover popped off. BG boards are prone to having a tight or misaligned cover at the best of times.
Surely the original electricians must have thought about where they were putting it?
It seems these days more and more of them are put in daft places in the middle of a hall way wall or by a door sticking out rather than out of sight in a cupboard.
Whats the most stupid or strange place you have come across a consumer unit new or old?
Have come across one immediately above a bath tub and shower before, suffice to say it was an immediate C1.

Leesparkykent · Sep 2, 2018

I’ve had one in the loft of a bungalow before....

Octopus · Sep 2, 2018

Part M plays its part in these daft locations ..........

ipf · Sep 2, 2018

This Pi$$es me right off.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Stupid positioning of consumer units...

GLENNSPARK · Sep 2, 2018

Behind the bowl of a sink in a kitchen unit on a condition report...

Deleted account · Sep 2, 2018

Gavin John Hyde said:
Have come across one immediately above a bath tub and shower before, suffice to say it was an immediate C1.

C2.

Sorry I had to say it . If I hadn't someone else would have.

I hope I haven't turned this thread into an argument over EICR coding.

Keep to the cu possitioning as it's interesting enough.

Gavin John Hyde · Sep 2, 2018

Murdoch said:
Part M plays its part in these daft locations ..........

Yes it does, and it is poor interpretation of it that causes people to put the new ones in silly places. Although we cant blame Part M for just plain ignorance and stupidity. who in there right mind thinks a consumer unit sticking out of the middle of a hallway wall looks good? At least put it in a cupboard somewhere.

Gavin John Hyde · Sep 2, 2018

Paignton pete said:
C2.

Sorry I had to say it . If I hadn't someone else would have.

I hope I haven't turned this thread into an argument over EICR coding.

Keep to the cu possitioning as it's interesting enough.

I say C1 When in the bath tub by the shower head, the consumer unit was approximately a foot and half from your head! when washing your head or hair there was every chance you would spray water into the consumer unit. It was also possible given its position that somebody might also touch it when in the shower. So not ideal.
The previous owners had moved the rooms around and put an ensuite in the old cupboard. hence the strange positioning

Strima · Sep 2, 2018

Several BT exchanges I've worked in have DBs 10' up a fall for no reason whatsoever...

Octopus · Sep 2, 2018

There needs to be a dedicated thread on "daft" locations for fuseboards ....

Deleted account · Sep 2, 2018

Hi Gavin John Hyde,
I've put a friendly because I respect your opinion, but disagree and really don't want to turn this into a EICR coding issue.

Yes it's a damn stupid place to put it.

Pete

Toneyz · Sep 2, 2018

Sorry but this is house bashers for you most NOT ALL are just installers "that's where it shows on the drawing" is it not a stud wall? if so maybe a recessed consumer unit is needed.
And a door stop.

Octopus · Sep 2, 2018

Gavin John Hyde said:
Its a new build house,

the consumer unit is located immediately adjacent to the side door. When it opens the door handle/ lock bangs into the cover.

Unfortunately most new builds are wired by unskilled labour .........

nuff said.

Toneyz · Sep 2, 2018

Gavin, how much is the door encroaching could the consumer unit not be moved a few inches?

westward10 · Sep 2, 2018

Put a door stop in.

Baddegg · Sep 2, 2018

Not no much bad position,but I went and viewed a job recently,lady wanted her bathroom redoing UFH, heated mirror new fan etc, no probs I say can have a quick look at the consumer unit? Tells me she’s recently had a new one fitted..... this flat I’m in consists of a kitchen,shower room,living room and 1 bedroom it’s tiny, the new consumer unit is an MK 15 way dual rcd board with 3 mcbs (lights,rfc and kitchen rfc) and 9 blanks.......electricians told her that’s to meet the regs?

littlespark · Sep 2, 2018

I was asked to move a fuse board that was in the corner of a utility room, inside the base unit cupboard.
Needed to take door off just to reach in and pull a fuse.

littlespark · Sep 2, 2018

I was asked to move a fuse board that was in the corner of a utility room, inside the base unit cupboard.
Needed to take door off just to reach in and pull a fuse.

Dillb · Sep 2, 2018

Had one underneath a bath once, was a HMO and rooms had been adapted accordingly.

Also not quite on topic but was witing a retail unit, DB position had been agreed on first day of the job. 2 days before handover was asked (actually told) it had to be moved as it would interfere with the disabled toilet wall, told the builder in no incertain terms to do one. Strangly enough they managed to find a few walls to move instead to make it all fit.

Gavin John Hyde · Sep 2, 2018

anthonybragg said:
Sorry but this is house bashers for you most NOT ALL are just installers "that's where it shows on the drawing" is it not a stud wall? if so maybe a recessed consumer unit is needed.
And a door stop.

Did think about recessing it into the wall as it is a stud wall. But customer is happy leaving it there and use a small door stop on the skirting to stop door close to hinge end and prevent future impact.

Leesparkykent · Sep 2, 2018

Murdoch said:
Unfortunately most new builds are wired by unskilled labour .........

nuff said.

Where did you hear this?

Gavin John Hyde · Sep 2, 2018

anthonybragg said:
Gavin, how much is the door encroaching could the consumer unit not be moved a few inches?

It is about half to 2/3 covered by the door when fully open with the door furniture hitting it. They are as per my last post going to put a door stop on the skirting to stop door a few inches earlier. by placing the stop close to the hinge end of door it will stop it and have barely any impact on people and things going through the door.

Octopus · Sep 2, 2018

Leesparkykent said:
Where did you hear this?

You can "see it" ...................

If they are not unskilled, they don't have much experience then ..

Richard Burns · Sep 2, 2018

This was one of my most annoying, the picture is the back corner of a kitchen unit.
The service head is behind the cut out in the back of the unit so even less accessible!

Strima · Sep 2, 2018

westward10 said:
Put a door stop in.

I did that once, the dog ate it...

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