Fitting consumer unit ‘portrait’ not ‘landscape’

weevilward · Sep 13, 2018

Just a thought - has anyone ever had to install a replacement domestic CU vertically (‘portrait’) because there isn’t enough room to fit in horizontally (‘landscape’)?
Apart from the amendment 3 lid not closing by gravity, it looking a bit odd, and maybe going against manufacturers instructions, can anyone see any major issues with it?
After all, three phase boards stack th MCBs that way round and they seem to work fine!

Dillb · Sep 13, 2018

snowhead said:
You still have a Meter??

Dont try and confuse him by talking in Metric

Spoon · Sep 13, 2018

snowhead said:
You still have a Meter??

Of course he has a meter.... he's bypassed it though..

D Skelton · Sep 13, 2018

Needs must.

I've done it. No issue at all other than aesthetics.

Spoon · Sep 13, 2018

well spank me silly... Was you taken POW @D Skelton or have I just missed your posts mate?

westward10 · Sep 13, 2018

So here we are. Don't know if anyone has seen these before but it is an over cover for

[ElectriciansForums.net] Fitting consumer unit ‘portrait’ not ‘landscape’

meter cupboards, 10 minute job.

PEG · Sep 13, 2018

The sideways thing,outside the aesthetics,is a possibility,but the fitting outside,is an issue. I seem to remember a request,by an insurance provider,to have a DB in such a position,moved to the inside of property,accessible from within.

This was a private,residential property,and the logic was,the insurance companies all request mortice or deadlocks,and were not happy about the safety aspect of a person inside,not having access to isolate,without possibly needing a key...that said,there are hundreds out there,just the same

telectrix · Sep 13, 2018

i stick my labels on the inside of the lid.

D Skelton · Sep 13, 2018

Spoon said:
well spank me silly... Was you taken POW @D Skelton or have I just missed your posts mate?

POW mate. I was steaming ahead with all cylinders firing, target in sight and breach locked and loaded, and then I took a direct hit to the side of the turret. Armour spalling killed my crew and disabled me.

I had to unbutton the hatch and put my two hands up.

-Matt · Sep 13, 2018

PEG said:
The sideways thing,outside the aesthetics,is a possibility,but the fitting outside,is an issue. I seem to remember a request,by an insurance provider,to have a DB in such a position,moved to the inside of property,accessible from within.

This was a private,residential property,and the logic was,the insurance companies all request mortice or deadlocks,and were not happy about the safety aspect of a person inside,not having access to isolate,without possibly needing a key...that said,there are hundreds out there,just the same

Pretty much all the 80’s housing estates in Yate - North Bristol have the old wylex fuse boards in the outside meter cupboards.

They are a royal pain to change as there is not much room with the cut-out and meters.

Plus half the doors have now fallen off.....

Would love to know the original reasoning?

Spoon · Sep 13, 2018

-Matt said:
Would love to know the original reasoning?

So would I.
Most prob a stupid idea by someone high up surrounded by 'Yes' men/women

snowhead · Sep 13, 2018

-Matt said:
Would love to know the original reasoning?

That was amazing foresite on their behalf.
They anticipated that in the 21st Century millions of C.Us would be bursting into flame so best put them outside where the Firebrigade could get to them.

Marvo · Sep 13, 2018

It might have an effect on an MCB's curve of operation depending how it's designed and ventilated although I doubt with a domestic CU the effect would be too significant. Guess manufacturers instructions would reflect this.

littlespark · Sep 13, 2018

Outside CUs does mean you don’t have to crawl into an under stair cupboard.

You do, however, need to go out in the rain and snow...

Commonplace in New Zealand when I visited, but they have better weather.

I’ve seen new boards mounted at 90 degrees before. Just don’t put it fully upside down

Octopus · Sep 13, 2018

How about 2 small cu s stacked?

Gavin John Hyde · Sep 13, 2018

Andy78 said:
Go for a compromise if possible and put it at 45 degrees.

I have seen one like that on an eicr over Bristol. it was mounted flush to ceiling above stairs, the ceiling was following same angel as stair case. when i queried it, they said it look out place if mounted level!