Recommend me a Type B (3 Phase) Distribution Board

[slartybartfast]

Need to source Type B 3-phase distribution & 3P MCBs for EVSE, 1P RCBOs etc. so my sparky can install. A 6-way 3P board will suffice. Wondering what the general concensus is.

Say, Contactum at the cheaper end vs Schneider Acti9 at the upper end.

Drawn towards the Schneider as super neat system and am a bit of a sucker for well engineered product, but gotta keep reminding myself its just a board that will be hidden away !

 

[Rockingit]

Schneider, Eaton MEM, Hager..... all good gear. But check with your electrician before you buy anything and I'm surprised you're not getting them to supply anyway as almost certain at 3PH boards that they'll get a far better wholesaler price than you will find.

 

[slartybartfast]

Schneider, Eaton MEM, Hager..... all good gear. But check with your electrician before you buy anything and I'm surprised you're not getting them to supply anyway as almost certain at 3PH boards that they'll get a far better wholesaler price than you will find.

I only work with trades on a labour-only basis. Yes of course will run BOM past the sparky, but he doesnt really care what brand I procure .

 

[Rockingit]

I only work with trades on a labour-only basis. Yes of course will run BOM past the sparky, but he doesnt really care what brand I procure .

They will if you buy Contactum......

 

[slartybartfast]

They will if you buy Contactum......

tell me more....

 

[Rockingit]

tell me more....

Let's just say that it's cheap for a reason and leave it at that.

 

[slartybartfast]

Let's just say that it's cheap for a reason and leave it at that.

sure....but lets be objective here....what in your opinion is bad about it? Are, say, the 3P MCBs rubbish?

 

[davesparks]

For normal jobs schneider Acti9.

For the occasional budget job I do I use contactum.

 

[davesparks]

Let's just say that it's cheap for a reason and leave it at that.

Whats wrong with them? I've not had any issue with contactum for budget jobs, they certainly a bit more solid than the higher end stuff.

 

[Rockingit]

Whats wrong with them? I've not had any issue with contactum for budget jobs, they certainly a bit more solid than the higher end stuff.

I guess everyone's experiences are different but mine are that the module cases always want to split apart the moment you look at the screw, the metalwork is always slightly wonky and there's just never enough room in them to do anything neatly without it being a real fight.

 

[slartybartfast]

I guess everyone's experiences are different but mine are that the module cases always want to split apart the moment you look at the screw, the metalwork is always slightly wonky and there's just never enough room in them to do anything neatly without it being a real fight.

Well the modules are super cheap, freely available from the likes of toolstation etc. So can buy more than you need and send 'em back if they break.

In terms of space...its a 3 phase board....loads of space surely ?

Wonky metalwork...can deal with that....buy in advance, inspect, return if wonky etc. Or even buy 3....keep 1.

 

[Rockingit]

Well the modules are super cheap, freely available from the likes of toolstation etc. So can buy more than you need and send 'em back if they break.

In terms of space...its a 3 phase board....loads of space surely ?

Wonky metalwork...can deal with that....buy in advance, inspect, return if wonky etc. Or even buy 3....keep 1.

Surely, this is the very literal definition of 'buy cheap, buy twice'?!

 

[slartybartfast]

Surely, this is the very literal definition of 'buy cheap, buy twice'?!

not really as its zero cost in buying twice as can return

 

[Rockingit]

not really as its zero cost in buying twice as can return

Methinks you may be forgetting the cost of having your electrician do the job twice as well…..

 

[slartybartfast]

Methinks you may be forgetting the cost of having your electrician do the job twice as well…..

Not at all. Can get spares onsite. Besides paying the spark for a full day when the job will take quite a bit less ..so room to spare.