Consumer unit ...which way to go?

[Chris86]

Afternoon all,

Early in the new year, I have the need to leave the comfort of the industrial world and take on a rare domestic job (rewire of my brothers new house)

Its a 4 bed house and to get it how he eventually wants it, a CU with plenty of room for expansion is a must. As usual though, budget is tight so I am trying to source a CU at a reasonable price. Work wise for 3 phase, we use either Hager or Schneider acti9 but the domestic versions of these will prove a bridge too far as will going all rcbo.

I have so far found a British General 22 module high integity unit and a Wylex 21 module high integrity unit, both of which will fit the bill future proofing wise but and there is always a but, are either of these any good and if you had to choose between them, which way would you swing?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice.

ATB

Chris

 

[Spoon]

Also, why are the Outside Light on their own breaker? If you were using RCBO's I'd understand, as the light are more likely to have a water issue that will trip things.
Not getting at you. Just wondering. I like to learn.

 

[Midwest]

Detectors make a annoying beeping noise, when they get switched off for too long, don't they?

 

[telectrix]

Detectors make a annoying beeping noise, when they get switched off for too long, don't they?

till some pratt pulls the batteries.

 

[Midwest]

Not the sealed ones, suppose they can choose to kill themselves though.

 

[sevuk]

Don't go near bg no matter if it' given to you for free they are awful. Try contactum, good quality good price

What's so bad about bg boards? The only thing I didn't like was the busbar didn't come with an additional slip cover, but easily bought as an addition for 96p. The factory ferrules could have been a bit better too. Have you found the rcds tripping a bit slower than expected?

 

[MJPD29]

What's so bad about bg boards? The only thing I didn't like was the busbar didn't come with an additional slip cover, but easily bought as an addition for 96p. The factory ferrules could have been a bit better too. Have you found the rcds tripping a bit slower than expected?

I have had 3 rcds not work straight out of the box, not tripping at all not even with the test button. They just don't feel well built and unreliable but maybe I'e just had bad luck

 

[Chris86]

I have a feeling it will be Wylex rewireable job installed there at the moment, there may well be some VIR cable around as well.

I would be happy to put the smoke alarms on the lighting circuit and feed outside lights via an fcu. I will consider all of this when I see how the land lies on Wednesday. If I can reduce the number of circuits and then reduce the amount of rcbo's needed then the all rcbo board becomes more of a possibility cost wise.

A quick glance at the Lewden range mentioned earlier in the thread threw up a 14 way all rcbo board for under £200, I reckon I could swing that one. With less circuits maybe, just maybe I could swing the Hager!

ATB

Chris

 

[sevuk]

Schneider dominates the commercial world at the moment.

May be a safe bet.

I got talked into getting a bg board for some domestic work, I've not even put it in yet. I'm worried about the rcd tests now, when I get there.

 

[buzzlightyear]

GET consumers you need to look at,prices are not that bad.
if you are looking at the lewden consumer units fitted them
17 years ago .try and go for a main brand if you had a problem with a mcb or rcbo you will not have a problem get a replacement down the line .

 

[digger123]

If room allowed, would two 12 way populated high integrity boards not do you job, forget the rings, wire radials. Go for 4 even 6 or more circuits of lights, four RCDs means if circuits are divided correctly, in the case of problems your only going to lose a quarter of your circuits.

 

[bailes1992]

I used two single phase Schneider Acti9 10 way boards in my own house. They were left over from a job I was on a few years ago.
One board services the house and the other the kitchen.
Everything is on individual RCBO's apart from the supply to the kitchen CU.
Acti9 boards are superb, probably the only board I would seriously consider working on live. The sliders are a great idea and makes maintenance and working on the board so much easier.

That said, I've just installed a BG CU in my Brother-In-Laws new summer house to match the BG CU in the house and I've not got any reason to dislike it. MCB's seem as good as any other, the board is well put together and certainly doesn't suffer with slanty MCB's like the MK boards of late!

 

[123]

Number of circuits shouldn't be an issue in an all RCBO board, can get 20 way boards in numerous brands. Can get 16 way Dual RCD boards also

 

[Chris86]

Evening all,

Bit of a follow up on this one. Finally got a look at the house today, it is going to need a full rewire and as expected, it is currently protected by a Wylex rewireable board.

There is nothing too daunting about the job and I had more luck than I thought when I started mentioning all rcbo boards and their costs.

One thing I am not sure about though is upgrading the main earth, anyone know how to access the earth terminals in a Henley series 7 cut out as shown in the attached photo? Not dealt with one of these before and I didn't get time to have a proper look with the estate agent hanging around like a bad smell. Not sure on the earthing arrangement yet, no PME sticker and couldn't run a ZE test today. Will contact DNO tomorrow and see what they come back with.

Thanks and atb

Chris

 

[Toneyz]

Chris,
If you look at the photo you will see round circular indentations (4) these are usually drilled out and the earth is put into earth block which is linked to neutral if PME, in this case, the earth has need put directly into the neutral block. To get to these terminals the grey cover needs to come off which is screwed down behind the fuse.

 

[Chris86]

Thank you very much for your help at least I know where to look for the screw now.

Is linking directly to the neutral normal with this type of cut out or would it appear to be a diy PME connection? Spoken to Western power distribution today and they have no record of the earthing arrangement. They have offered to find out if PME is available and quote for provision if required.

It's looking like i wont be able to find out until the sale completes and I can run a ZE test.

Thank again for your help,

Chris