Consume Unit position in new builds

[DurhamSparky]

i hate people who choose where to fit the CU's!!! ARGH! looks nice of paper!!

recently been in a new build (2 weeks old) and reconfigured a lot of things as they were in stupid places!! and i still don't get this mounting of CU at waist height! what a load of tosh! perfect height for a kiddie to poke fingers in and mess about!

 

[Wully]

As far as I am aware, there is no exact mounting height for a CU.

This is the response from SELECT:-

There are no specific mounting heights for consumer units stated in either the IEE Regulations (BS7671) or in SBS Regulations.

However, BS7671:2008 - Regulation 132.12, requires that electrical equipment, which includes consumer units, should be accessible and should have sufficient space for inspection and testing etc. Therefore, consumer units should be mounted where they are readily accessible for such purposes. Mounting positions should be avoided where access is difficult i.e. some situations underneath stairs or high up on a wall

 

[PC Electrics]

Have you put your concerns to the client?
Surely the architect works for the client, not the other way round?

 

[PC Electrics]

question 31 may help:
New or rewired domestic and similar installations : Electrical Safety Council

 

[bugsy]

If thats what he wants thats what he want , just make him aware of the fact that he will have to sign the design section of the EIC , dont be nasty about it but ask him if he is qualified to do so .
If had the same sort of problems in the past and as soon as you mention signing certs they seem to go all coy, Architec's and interior designers only worry about 1 thing - asthetics

 

[Spudnik]

I think Part M plays a huge part.

I have installed CUs at a height of 500mm on new builds, although i did design the installation as well.

In most cases it was mounted back to back with the recessed meter box on the outside.

 

[Wully]

Just goes to show the huge difference between the building regs of Scotland and "down south"

 

[baldelectrician]

SBS Guidance


Electrical Fixtures

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Outlets and controls of electrical fixtures and systems should be positioned at least 350 mm from any internal corner, projecting wall or similar obstruction and, unless the need for a higher location can be demonstrated, not more than 1.2 m above floor level. This would include fixtures such as sockets,switches, fire alarm call points and timer controls or programmers. Withinthis height range:​

[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]• l[/FONT][/FONT]ight switches should be positioned at a height of between 900 mm and 1.1 m above floor level;

[FONT=Arial,Bold][FONT=Arial,Bold]• [/FONT][/FONT]standard switched or unswitched socket outlets and outlets for other services such as telephone or television should be positioned at least 400 mm above floor level. Above an obstruction, such as a worktop,fixtures should be at least 150 mm above the projecting surface.​

Where socket outlets are concealed, such as to the rear of white goods in a kitchen, separate switching should be provided in an accessible position, to allow appliances to be isolated.

From the Scottish Building Standards handbook (2010), I will find a newer one if I can