Best consumer unit

irn-brue · Mar 16, 2021

Best consumer unit. Been a while since I have done a lot of domestic work. What's best consumer unit for domestic installs . Taking into account price and availability. Probably been asked many times. Any help would be very much appreciated. Cheers

astormatt · Mar 16, 2021

Fusebox gets my vote, it’s all i fit now. Loads of room even with normal height rcbos.

Dustydazzler · Mar 16, 2021

Another vote for Fusebox , the single module spd is what converted me and stuck with them ever since

MrPupsi · Mar 16, 2021

As above, fitted my first one yesterday as my local CEF now stocks them, quality units and will be all I use from now.

Mike Johnson · Mar 16, 2021

Is being the lowest price for a unit the criteria for being the "Best"?

MrPupsi · Mar 16, 2021

I think most customers are willing to part with a little extra for a Fusebox RCBO board rather than a double the price Wylex RCBO board, even though it’s in their best interest.

As above, the SPD is a game changer, and the 32mm knockout is conveniently located on the side of the DB where the main switch is, instead of the middle, makes installing tails that little bit easier.
I installed a dual RCD board in a rental property where the landlord didn’t want to pay extra for the RCBO board and the existing cabling for the RCDs is super flexible, again making installation that little bit easier.

Loads of space for cables, and the front cover aligns quite nicely and easily, which some boards don’t.

Build quality seems decent, although the main carcass didn’t seem as solid as a Wylex. Only thing I can think of to grumble at.

pc1966 · Mar 16, 2021

The Fusebox, Wylex and Crebtree compact RCBO all have neutral-switching 'DP' action, which makes testing easier and helps if you have a TT system where you might want an up-front delay RCD.

Other sound, if more expensive, options are Hager and Schneider.

Going all RCBO generally make life easier for you as well, less chance of spurious trips and less impact if they happen. Need to look out for borrowed neutrals in up/down lights, just as you would if lights split over a dual RCD board, but that ought to be checked/fixed on any sort of upgrade anyway.