Consumer unit installed on it's side.

[dtec dave]

Hi All..thoughts on this please, is it acceptable or failed 'as not installed to manufactures instructions'?

Thanks in advance

 

[buzzlightyear]

One of the new regulations, 536.4.203, states that devices and components that are used in low voltage assemblies (to BS EN 61439) such as consumer units, and distribution boards must only be those that have been declared suitable for that purpose by the manufacturer of the assembly. Or put another way: only use manufacturer approved parts, don’t mix brands of devices or control items.


Each manufacturer of electrical switchgear designs and tests its own products for use in combination with each other, not with other brands. So if someone were to use a mixture of brands they would be creating an untested assembly and untested assemblies aren’t backed by manufacturer guarantees.


Obviously, no manufacturer can guarantee an installation that hasn’t been completed in line with the manufacturer's installation instructions. But that doesn’t mean that manufacturers won’t permit control items to be added to an assembly. Electrium, for example, offers a custom build facility and will design & build factory built assemblies that will carry a manufacturer guarantee, even if the assembly includes non Electrium products.


Readers should be aware that the notes relative to 536.4.203 state that if the assembly deviates from the original manufacturers' instructions then the person introducing that deviation becomes the manufacturer. So if you have an installation that requires non-standard arrangements talk to the manufacturer about how to provide this in a compliant manner.


Using unapproved parts will invalidate manufacturer guarantees and may result in an unsafe installation.
so where do it says you can not turn the C/U on its side and what about three phase boards .

 

[Lister1987]

The off gravity assisted comment, with respect, is -------s, for gravity to assist In anyway, the lever would need to be weighed to a degree otherwise Gravity has nothing to act on.

Units installed sideways, sure they look odd but if it's not explicitly prohibited then it has to be seen as a viable install method. As for fire crews, I can't see them arsing with a consumer unit in event of fire, they'd go straight to DNO and kill power locally

 

[ipf]

Using unapproved parts will invalidate manufacturer guarantees and may result in an unsafe installation.
so where do it says you can not turn the C/U on its side and what about three phase boards .

Blimey, buzz...I thought you'd done an English Language course.....'till I got to that last paragraph.

By the way, I agree with you, mate. It all depends on space availability, even if it does look naff.

 

[telectrix]

surprised nobody's mentioned how neatly the tails are dressed.

 

[ipf]

surprised nobody's mentioned how neatly the tails are dressed.

Mmm...another with it's kex half way down.

 

[Dustydazzler]

If you tilt your head just enough then it looks the right way up....

 

[telectrix]

If you tilt your head just enough then it looks the right way up....

only if you tilt your head the right way.

 

[Markyd]

One of the new regulations, 536.4.203, states that devices and components that are used in low voltage assemblies (to BS EN 61439) such as consumer units, and distribution boards must only be those that have been declared suitable for that purpose by the manufacturer of the assembly. Or put another way: only use manufacturer approved parts, don’t mix brands of devices or control items.


Each manufacturer of electrical switchgear designs and tests its own products for use in combination with each other, not with other brands. So if someone were to use a mixture of brands they would be creating an untested assembly and untested assemblies aren’t backed by manufacturer guarantees.


Obviously, no manufacturer can guarantee an installation that hasn’t been completed in line with the manufacturer's installation instructions. But that doesn’t mean that manufacturers won’t permit control items to be added to an assembly. Electrium, for example, offers a custom build facility and will design & build factory built assemblies that will carry a manufacturer guarantee, even if the assembly includes non Electrium products.


Readers should be aware that the notes relative to 536.4.203 state that if the assembly deviates from the original manufacturers' instructions then the person introducing that deviation becomes the manufacturer. So if you have an installation that requires non-standard arrangements talk to the manufacturer about how to provide this in a compliant manner.


Using unapproved parts will invalidate manufacturer guarantees and may result in an unsafe installation.
so where do it says you can not turn the C/U on its side and what about three phase boards .

One of the new regulations, 536.4.203, states that devices and components that are used in low voltage assemblies (to BS EN 61439) such as consumer units, and distribution boards must only be those that have been declared suitable for that purpose by the manufacturer of the assembly. Or put another way: only use manufacturer approved parts, don’t mix brands of devices or control items.


Each manufacturer of electrical switchgear designs and tests its own products for use in combination with each other, not with other brands. So if someone were to use a mixture of brands they would be creating an untested assembly and untested assemblies aren’t backed by manufacturer guarantees.


Obviously, no manufacturer can guarantee an installation that hasn’t been completed in line with the manufacturer's installation instructions. But that doesn’t mean that manufacturers won’t permit control items to be added to an assembly. Electrium, for example, offers a custom build facility and will design & build factory built assemblies that will carry a manufacturer guarantee, even if the assembly includes non Electrium products.


Readers should be aware that the notes relative to 536.4.203 state that if the assembly deviates from the original manufacturers' instructions then the person introducing that deviation becomes the manufacturer. So if you have an installation that requires non-standard arrangements talk to the manufacturer about how to provide this in a compliant manner.


Using unapproved parts will invalidate manufacturer guarantees and may result in an unsafe installation.
so where do it says you can not turn the C/U on its side and what about three phase boards .

It doesn't say in the regs....but if the manufacturers instructions say you cant then you cant.......follow manufacturers instructions......easy

 

[buzzlightyear]

Blimey, buzz...I thought you'd done an English Language course

I'm also doing a Chinese course has well ,how to order a meal , number 39 please you good man , wo you wan .lol.

 

[static zap]

off gravity assisted comment,

Since its speed is of no calibrated consequence --
It was more of a MEMORY aid , something falls over in a cupboard - more likely to knock it down !
Comment derived from 3p+n isolators .!

 

[dmxtothemax]

Some might say not best practice ! but not dangerous either.
If the customer is happy, thats what matters
cause ultimately it's him who pays !

 

[Mike Johnson]

One of the new regulations, 536.4.203, states that devices and components that are used in low voltage assemblies (to BS EN 61439) such as consumer units, and distribution boards must only be those that have been declared suitable for that purpose by the manufacturer of the assembly. Or put another way: only use manufacturer approved parts, don’t mix brands of devices or control items.

Taking the above comment possibly to a bit of an extreme, If I have a Hager board and fit Siemens MCB's the quote above would seem the indicate the installation does not conform?

 

[dmxtothemax]

As manufacturers guidelines cannot cover 100% of circumstances then sometimes it's down to your call, you have to make the decission as to weather it's safe.
Mounting a DB sideways is NOT dangerous.

 

[telectrix]

considering thet in Australia you mount them upside down........

 

[Dustydazzler]

As manufacturers guidelines cannot cover 100% of circumstances then sometimes it's down to your call, you have to make the decission as to weather it's safe.
Mounting a DB sideways is NOT dangerous.

sideways (vertically mounted) could indeed be the ‘correct’orientation and everyone else has been doing it wrong for years...