Consumer unit change

[buzzlightyear]

the trouble with the old steel cabinet is you can not put the new wylex consumer units
in, has posted 15 they made those cabinets for local council property .

 

[mattg4321]

It's inside a steel cabinet, you can't get much more non-combustible

Agree, but not what I was told by ECA and NIC when I called them both about it. Was advised to use the new consumer units linked to in post 15 as the old ones have plastic parts (covers etc). The fact the whole thing is enclosed inside the metal meter cabinet didn't seem to make a difference to them.

 

[mattg4321]

the trouble with the old steel cabinet is you can not put the new wylex consumer units
in, has posted 15 they made those cabinets for local council property .

I've read your post a few times and it still doesn't make a lot of sense. Are you saying the Wylex consumer units in post 15 can't be fitted inside the Mantel cabinets as they are for council property only? Disagree if so.

 

[buzzlightyear]

please up load a picture mattg4321, when you finish the consumer change .

 

[mattg4321]

Will do if I remember. I did a couple last year already.

 

[Midwest]

As an aside, back when A3 came out, there was a company selling ferrous metal enclosures, to cover insulated CU's to make them A3 compliant. Posted on the forum, can't find them now.

Are those old steel cabinets, installed into ducts?

 

[mattg4321]

please up load a picture mattg4321, when you finish the consumer change .

Here you go, still not sure why you think it won't fit?

 

[buzzlightyear]

good job mattg4321, when you fitted the new board in did you cut the metal any of the inside off like the metal lips and top near the old bakerlight.

 

[mattg4321]

You need to remove the shelf in-between the two fuseboards in the top picture. Drill out the spot welds (normally x5)

 

[buzzlightyear]

next time I do one of them I will remember
thanks

 

[J.C.E]

use the exisiting as a 'junction' and extend the circuits- mount your new am3 consumer unit above the cabinet. one way

 

[mattg4321]

use the exisiting as a 'junction' and extend the circuits- mount your new am3 consumer unit above the cabinet. one way

Why introduce an extra joint in the circuits when not necessary? Also, most customers want it inside the cabinet if possible.

 

[Dobes_88]

Here you go, still not sure why you think it won't fit?

Hi Matt, went out to see a job today that looks an identical existing 6 way board that requires replacing. Can you remember if you went for a board with 273mm or 320mm centres...? I only measured the internal width of the cabinet itself which was 340mm thinking these boards are now obsolete!

 

[Rpa07]

I'm fitting a Wylex NM806 100amp main switch with 8 RCBOs this week and it fits in a meter cupboard because of the dimensions. 270 mm wide

 

[mattg4321]

Hi Matt, went out to see a job today that looks an identical existing 6 way board that requires replacing. Can you remember if you went for a board with 273mm or 320mm centres...? I only measured the internal width of the cabinet itself which was 340mm thinking these boards are now obsolete!

It will almost certainly be 320mm. All the cabinets I've worked on have been that size. The fixings are very close to the edge of the cabinet so if you made it 340mm then it sounds like you need the 320mm CU. I'd be amazed if that advice is wrong but don't blame me if it is - go back and re check if necessary!

Also allow a bit more time than usual if it's your first one. It will take longer than usual. You might need to scrape the paint off the back of the shelf to find the weld spots. They are not always immediately visible. Theres normally 5 of them. Drill them out then remove shelf.

Edit: Also important to remove the outer frame of the cabinet (along with door). Loosen screws on the inside x4 and slide off.