Consumer Units? Is there any difference between manufacturers

[Khuz360]

Hi All

So I am going to be looking at upgrading to a new a consumer unit in the next few months and I would like to know whether there is such a thing as premium units and budget units because the prices I've looked certainly indicate this to be the case. If so are there actually any differences performance wise. Is there such a thing as a good consumer unit and a bad consumer unit. Surely they are manufactured to the same standard and comparable quality.

Surely the stuff that can go wrong with a consumer unit is more down to installer error than the actual fault of the unit.

Is it something I should even bother researching and then finding myself or would it be a wiser choice to opt for one the electrician I use recommends.

Thanks

 

[Andy78]

[QUOTE="buzzlightyear, post: 1495866, member: 52419
the band I will not touch is BG from screwed fix ,

Is the one sold by Screwfix any different to one purchased elsewhere?[/QUOTE]

Yes, it's already been fitted, brought back as faulty, then put back on the shelf

 

[Rpa07]

I tried 8 RCBO circuits on a 10 way Designa curve today and I liked it - the enclosure was sturdy and I fed from the back - it’s fun using a angle grinder in someone’s front room!
I’ll try a Hager next. I’ve stuck with Wylex and Crabtree for a while but ‘times is a changin’ !

 

[ferg]

[/QUOTE]
Is the one sold by Screwfix any different to one purchased elsewhere?[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately not.

It is equally as shyte.

 

[Khuz360]

Wow I did not expect this kind of response. I'll do my best to respond to the points raised.

I did suspect that there were different qualities however was not sure hence the post. My initial thoughts were looking at Schneider or MK Electric. In terms of filling it, the plan was to use RCBO's because it seemed to make the most sense. Everything seems so easy to buy online once you know what the right things are.

I will be doing a fresh post detailing my plans for evaluation from you knowledgeable lot and obtain some answers to questions I have about electrics not potatoes though (where that tangent came from I don't know lol)

Briefly there are going to be two consumer units installed, one will be to replace the existing fuse box from circa 1950 if not earlier and the second unit will be for the garage.

 

[Andy78]

Everything seems so easy to buy online once you know what the right things are.

My best advice would be to let the electrician buy the parts, it just cuts down on the hassle on both sides.
For example I carry parts and spares for the brands I install so I'm rarely caught out on a job. You can need RCBOs you didn't think you did, parts and sundries you didn't expect to use, all of which can stall a job if you're not working with a familiar brand.
Supplied and fitted parts will be subject to the installer's warranty too which won't be the case if you supply the parts.

 

[Khuz360]

My best advice would be to let the electrician buy the parts, it just cuts down on the hassle on both sides.
For example I carry parts and spares for the brands I install so I'm rarely caught out on a job. You can need RCBOs you didn't think you did, parts and sundries you didn't expect to use, all of which can stall a job if you're not working with a familiar brand.
Supplied and fitted parts will be subject to the installer's warranty too which won't be the case if you supply the parts.

This is a really valid point and I'm more than likely going for this option. Particularly given the point on spares and familiarity which is not something I had really considered when thinking about the items.

 

[Jjc]

Hi All

So I am going to be looking at upgrading to a new a consumer unit in the next few months and I would like to know whether there is such a thing as premium units and budget units because the prices I've looked certainly indicate this to be the case. If so are there actually any differences performance wise. Is there such a thing as a good consumer unit and a bad consumer unit. Surely they are manufactured to the same standard and comparable quality.

Surely the stuff that can go wrong with a consumer unit is more down to installer error than the actual fault of the

Hi All

So I am going to be looking at upgrading to a new a consumer unit in the next few months and I would like to know whether there is such a thing as premium units and budget units because the prices I've looked certainly indicate this to be the case. If so are there actually any differences performance wise. Is there such a thing as a good consumer unit and a bad consumer unit. Surely they are manufactured to the same standard and comparable quality.

Surely the stuff that can go wrong with a consumer unit is more down to installer error than the actual fault of the unit.

Is it something I should even bother researching and then finding myself or would it be a wiser choice to opt for one the electrician I use recommends.

Thanks

MK used to be the dogs b....... but personally I have found their products to be pretty shitty probably due to their stuff being made abroad nowadays.

 

[Nebu1a]

I am thinking of switching to Hager as I believe that their RCBOs are Type A and they seem good quality.
What other manufacturers are currently doing type A RCBOs or RCDs?
Never fitted Doepka but they do a dual RCD board with a Type A and type F RCCB but no price online.

 

[Toneyz]

A lot of the major housing developers seem to spec Hager. When I used to fit them they seemed a good brand the previous electrical contractor used to use Europa they seemed ok.

 

[Blissof89]

I have been given those BG boards to fit on a few occasions now, always kick up a fuss about it.

The dual RCD 3 + 3 ways are not so bad but the full size 5 + 5's struggle to hold the weight when they are loaded up and the din rail sags, then you spend 5 mins wrestling the lid on and it never feels like it fits right. Their garage DB's are die cast and would probably shatter if you dropped it, drilling you cut outs is certainly effortless .


We usually fit Schneider easy9's. The new ones look absolutely hideous imo and are far bigger than needed but I can't really fault the quality of them.

 

[richy3333]

Hager for me. Go for Design 50 if you want ‘premium’ and load it with RCBO’s

 

[Wilko]

I am thinking of switching to Hager as I believe that their RCBOs are Type A and they seem good quality. What other manufacturers are currently doing type A RCBOs or RCDs? ...

Hi - Wylex RCBO are A and the reduced height one is DP. Their RCDs are only AC as far as I know.

 

[coolsparx]

I tried 8 RCBO circuits on a 10 way Designa curve today and I liked it - the enclosure was sturdy and I fed from the back - it’s fun using a angle grinder in someone’s front room!
I’ll try a Hager next. I’ve stuck with Wylex and Crabtree for a while but ‘times is a changin’ !

I’ve been fitting the Lewden RCBO boards for ages, they are a decent price for RCBO option with virtually zero chance of nuciance tripping. If the regs stipulated only RCBOs then all the other manufactures would have to reduce the price of their RCBOs.

 

[Deuce]

I would totally let a spark install and choose the CU. Whoever does the work will choose a CU that they know is reliable enough to not have problems as they don't want to get called back, and they will also almost certainly choose one they're familiar with because it will make the install quicker and easier for them, and most likely slightly cheaper for you as a result.

It's an almost universal rule, that if you save a little money by buying components yourself, the person fitting them will price the hob on the wary side as it might take take them longer than expected, and it's also far less likely that the components you choose will be as ideal for the job.

 

[l4urence]

Some of vendors are trying to get rid of old stock, I still see 'bargain' plastic CU's available. I would ask the Electrician for options, some installers have preferences and this can save on installation time, parts and spares etc. Don't buy a cheap one and expect it to be fitted.