Best Consumer Unit Make / Model

[FatAlan]

Would be interested to know from the experienced practioners out there what is currently considered the best domestic single phase make of CU.
I say this from purely selfish point of view as I’m about to embark on a 4 bed house refurb and likely to go for RCBOs.
Opinions based on access, user friendliness, quality etc. Any CU tarts out there that would consider a particular make / model the dogs b****cks of CU’s?

 

[HandySparks]

... as they don’t change their mcbs unlike Crabtree with its star breaker and loadstar types that they did...

Starbreaker and Loadstar are two completely different ranges. A modern Crabtree plug-in MCB or RCBO will still fit an old Starbreaker board.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Yep, fair play Dave. I've seen pics of your installs; very neat!
Bring back the old solid links I say which are much nicer to look at, obviously less flexible to configure though...

 

[Ian1981]

Starbreaker and Loadstar are two completely different ranges. A modern Crabtree plug-in MCB or RCBO will still fit an old Starbreaker board.

That’s my point one range plugs in the other doesn’t so if you have a loadstar type and require a replacement then they are obsolete

 

[HandySparks]

That’s my point one range plugs in the other doesn’t so if you have a loadstar type and require a replacement then they are obsolete

So, are you saying that Loadstar are being discontinued by Crabtree? It's the first I've heard of it.

 

[westward10]

So, are you saying that Loadstar are being discontinued by Crabtree? It's the first I've heard of it.

I think he is confusing it with Polestar.

 

[Ian1981]

So, are you saying that Loadstar are being discontinued by Crabtree? It's the first I've heard of it.

I was under the impression one had replaced the other but I must be wrong
Haven’t used Crabtree for years

 

[Ian1981]

I think he is confusing it with Polestar.

Yes that’s the one
Doh!!

 

[Toneyz]

F.Y.I I have just purchased a 40A Starbreaker MCB for an existing board it fits but I did notice it was slightly bigger than the existing ones. Crabtree used to do two types of consumer units Starbreaker which was/is plug in and Loadstar and Polestar which is screw to bus bar.

 

[sparksfly]

In my experience....
Hager, MK, Wylex , Crabtree all good but have some issues with some metal CSUs... hot swapping MCB's due to lack of space under the busbar.
I avoid BG (Rcd failures) , Control gear (Rcd failures and sticking) in very newish boards. Tried Schneider once and use SBS in some situations especially their compact RCBOs are useful.. I don't see the point in saving £20-£40 for a cheaper CSU as a good one should last for many many years.... Just like the quality plastic ones I have fitted!! I do try other makes from time to time but get put off by poor cable terminations or quality components

 

[Phil Thompson]

I use BG Split boards and Cudis RCBO boards.

Only issue in past 2 years has been 1 faulty BG MCB. At installation so was faulty from the factory.

Like Hager but the cost and the square knockouts puts me off.

 

[Briggs69]

Wylex if rcbo’s and mk If split.would go hager all the time but they stupid trunking knockouts make no sense to me.just leave the top and bottom of the board solid mental and drill it to suit for tail gland etc.really was surprised by the contactum board but can’t get it anywhere .wouldint touch bg had problems with rcds on them years ago.

 

[Midwest]

You can get the Hager Design 30 CU's with or without knockouts (top & bottom).

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

I've been using Hager for split load and Lewden for RCBO for a bit now. I was using MK for everything (in spite of the RCBO cost!) but recalls on RCBOs and Main Switches have put me right off.
I quite like the look of the reduced height RCBO Hager displayed at the ELEX in Coventry recently, but my wholesaler cant get any joy with obtaining even a price or a schedule for release.
I found myself with a Schneider Easy 9 domestic board last year, and it wasn't half bad either. (Lack of) Availability was what put me off.
Anybody ever used one of the Chint boards poofix are flogging now? They don't look too bad inside, but the logo put me off....
I raised this with the rep at the same ELEX and he just said "I know, but they're (the powers that be) aren't listening..." I know it's a silly point really, but no one wants an object in their house that calls them a See You Next Tuesday :0

 

[David Prosser]

RS do Schneider Easy 9 about £2.50 for mcb and £25 for rcbo.
I use a lot of them and Acti 9. both are easy to install and keep reasonable neat.

 

[telectrix]

i hate the easy 9. try feeding 10 2.5mm T/E up the left side. covers the N block. no room at top for RCBOs, incomer is arse about face. din rail is bang up to the back of the box, so no room to sweep L's behind the MCBs.