Domestic Consumer Unit

[Sparky@Hu15]

I recently visited a new customers house and was giving the electrics the once over. The consumer unit was mounted on the wall vertically (top pointing East-bottom pointing West) as opposed to horizontally, is this good practice & would it affect the safe operation of MCB, RCD, RCBO and the like?

 

[DPG]

Worth bearing in mind that MCBs etc. are used 'sideways' in commercial dis boards. Daz

 

[Darkwood]

Welcome to the forum

In a nutshell, no just ensure any required IP ratings are maintained, electricity isn't really fussy about gravity, my only comment would be any objects that fall on the breakers should not inadvertently switch them on now this would require the board to be upside down to do so.

 

[Midwest]

Don't suppose it's one of those new fangled A3 CU's?

 

[Sparky@Hu15]

Thanks for your input, point taken Dan re commercial dis boards.

 

[Sparky@Hu15]

No just a standard Domestic CU

 

[Risteard]

is this good practice

Almost certainly not. That's not to say that it's unsafe though.

 

[Octopus]

Sometimes its the only way to fit one in!

 

[telectrix]

mine's like that. the alternative was £2500 for DNO to move cut-out and meter. no-brainer.

 

[Risteard]

Sometimes its the only way to fit one in!

I realise that - still looks rubbish though.

 

[snowhead]

As hinted in post#4, it wouldn't be compliant to install one like it now.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If the enclosure has something indicating 'top', would it be considered as failing to comply with manufacturer's instructions to fix it sideways?

 

[telectrix]

they'll have fun in australia then.

 

[Dave OCD]

As hinted in post#4, it wouldn't be compliant to install one like it now.

Why not, assuming all IP requirements are adhered to ?

 

[DPG]

Why not, assuming all IP requirements are adhered to ?

I think he's on about the lid not closing on it's own. Daz