Consumer Unit choice

[Thomas02]

Hi,

I am still relatively new to the forum and the trade in general and I have been fortunate enough to work on a complete house rewire and consumer unit change.

The client’s choice of CU was a Sector (Senate) board incorporating 12 circuits and which I found to be quite tight and awkward to work with (maybe it’s just me).

I wondered what units you forum members would recommend in terms of most working space, layout, quality and general ease of use regardless of the CU cost.

Many thanks,
Dave

 

[ferg]

Everyone has their own preferences.
I like Hager. BG aren't bad same for wylex and MK. Each has their own pro's and cons.
I would just try a few different ones and see which you prefer.
I tend to go for the best deal at the time from the wholesalers.

 

[Andy78]

I used a Schneider one from toolstation recently. Heaps of room above the breakers, and a moulded din rail which was nice and stiff. I find metal din rails on cheaper boards can be a bit floppy due to not enough mountings to support them. I would definately trust the switchgear too.
Other than that I would go for hager mostly. BG aren't bad at the budget end of things too.

 

[Fin170]

I Like the contactum CP range

However wilts are going to start selling Curve boards (as wilts plus) which I've used from denmans before and if they start selling their RCBO boards* I'll switch to those (iirc 6 way loaded RCBO board was ~£86 with individual breakers at £12.50)



*Specificity built for RCBOs, loads of room up top

 

[sparky-s-w]

i know there cheap but i use Niglon, plenty of room and looks the part, also find wylex easy to fit

 

[SensesFailYou]

I love the Chint split load boards very robust and feel good quality wise and reasonably priced. I used to like Crabtree until I got one of their split load boards (can't remember the model ref) but the nock outs on the back were an absolute pain to nock out and the back board was all flat with the top and bottom of it built into the case. I found it horrible to work with. But it's all trial and error try and work with a few and pick the one that works for you

 

[cbw]

My advice would be to find the one you like (Mine is Wylex) and stick with it.

Reason being, over time I have gathered a load of spare bits and bobs, most MCBS in the box are wylex all spare stickers are wylex, spare front cover etc...

Also get used to it.

 

[Guitarist]

Crabtree starbreaker. Love the clip-in rail and high quality.
Shop around for the RCBO's tho.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Crabtree starbreaker. Love the clip-in rail and high quality.Shop around for the RCBO's tho.

Me too. Great system.

 

[Tonkatoy27]

Me too. Great system.

and me, Curve when price is tight.

 

[Octopus]

I use Sector when replacing CU's with the tails on the left and Wylex for replacing CU's with the tails on the right!

 

[HandySparks]

Crabtree starbreaker. Love the clip-in rail and high quality.
Shop around for the RCBO's tho.

I like them too. The RCBOs seem to be a good price from TLC (£21.65+VAT). Anyone found them cheaper elsewhere (apart from eBay)?

Strangely, TLC don't list the main switch only starbreaker boards on their website, although they'll get them in (at a price).

 

[Guitarist]

I like them too. The RCBOs seem to be a good price from TLC (£21.65+VAT). Anyone found them cheaper elsewhere (apart from eBay)?

Strangely, TLC don't list the main switch only starbreaker boards on their website, although they'll get them in (at a price).

Found the same. Main switch CU from scr....x and RCBO's from TLC.

 

[Waterhouse1989]

We normally use either Crabtree at work but Europa are good for there money quite a bit of room in them

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I've always got crabtree RCBO's from the Wholesalers ..? a good few pounds or more less than that, they'll usually knock it down if you buy a few.

One beginning with E, one beginning with W,

 

[th3pony]

used a contactum last week i would highly recomenbd not using them, no room above the breakers

 

[imago]

I'm another Hager user, because I like the boards for room and ease of fitment, but also because (touches wood) I haven't had to deal with or revisit for a failed breaker, RCD or RCBO. Also, as CBW said I have accumulated a stock of bits for them.

 

[SKY]

I'm a Wylex fitter mainly - going to try a schnider from toolstation on my next install I will add

 

[MKSparks]

I tend to fit MK as they are the most aesthetically pleasing in my opinion, although the cover can be slightly out of alignment with the breakers on the larger board, but I'm used to this now...