Are contactum any good?

hillbillie · Mar 12, 2012

I have a single phase domestic instal on friday and I need to replace the consumer unit. I notice on the TLC website they sell contactum stuff really cheap; RCBOs for £19, a split load cu with 2 80A RCDs for £46 and mcbs for £2.

Is this a really good deal or is contactum stuff really poor quality? I normally use Hager stuff but I thought I'd save a bit of cash and use these if they are ok.

Anyone got any experience with Contactum stuff?

malcolmsanford · Mar 12, 2012

HB mate you really do get what you pay for .....................I always used Hager, but have used contactum gear, and it is cheap but functional.

The casing if you looked at it funny you feel would fall apart and tightening the NEUTRAL/EARTH terminals was always a test of ones skill and courage of "shall I give it one more turn .......ekkkk cracked the fixing screw"

To be honest B & Q BG boards are slightly better quality, and are often as cheap.

markharris · Mar 12, 2012

no problems with contactum,the boards have loads of cut out access points which are easy to remove. The only thing I would change would be the 'barn door' style covers for the switches.

telectrix · Mar 12, 2012

BG from b7q comes fully loaded 10 ways for £50, and the bonus is tou have 3 N bars, so can fit RCBOs or have non-RCD ways.

D Skelton · Mar 12, 2012

I tend to only use Contactum. It feels solid, works well, I've yet to have to return brand new faulty RCD's unlike with brands like Proteus and Alto. I'd say it's middle of the range stuff. If I'm doing a top end fit out I'll normally use Merlin or Hager.

hillbillie · Mar 13, 2012

Many thanks for the replies gentlemen. The BG stuff I have seen usually comes with two 63A RCDs, I need two 80A RCDs on mine, so I think I'll risk the contactum.