Which domestic Consumer Unit and why?

[Midwest]

I have only installed the MK version of A3 CU's, mainly because of their pleasing looks

However, after trying to straighten the mcb's etc on the last 3 I've installed and failed, I'm kinda getting less enthusiastic about them. The final nail in the coffin, was trying to connect up some RCBO's, where the CU was located close to the ceiling, where because of the design of their RCBO connections, it was impossible to see if the neutrals were properly terminated, ended up taking RCBO off the din rail, terminating cables, and then placing back on the di rail (see pic below). Also the room available to dress the cables/conductors is limited (especially with RCBO's), made it look a pigs ear, admittedly not my best area



So, with some new CU's to be installed in the New Year, what makes do you install & why. I'm leaning towards the Hager Design 30, due to the layout inside?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Im a hager fan myself. they are in the process of bringing out small rcbos's that are the same size as MCB's so makes dressing the conductors in the board better. I had to do a swap recently and with the central earth bar above the rcbo's it looked a bit of a mess tbh... can be a bit awkward to get your line and neutral out for subsequent testing when everything is in and done though. but for quality i can not fault hager. The problem is most CU's are made for mcbs and have not been updated to reflect the larger size of rcbo's, some brnads have specific units but they are few and far between

 

[stevethesparks]

What about SBS anyone? I may give one of their boards a try due to the DP RCBO's on a single module.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Hager for me every day of the week. And not really any more expensive in the scheme of things. For a 10 way BG is around £70?? For the same Hager Design 10 it's around £85 from Eddys or Yesss.
I won't touch another BG if I can help it, had so many problems with them. Knockouts too well spot-welded, numerous failed cage clamps and failed RCDs, cover that won't go back on without an almighty fight. BG ~ bad gear...

I was tempted by the MK when they first came out due to the design, but after seeing one again after a couple of months I felt the curvy front already looked dated..

 

[AJshep]

To be honest I think there is faults with all consumer units. And I think preference also depends on how you like to second fix your DB.

Personally I like to remove everything and strip my cables level with the Din rail I then label the sheath with a sharpie and neatly dress my cables just behind the din rail.
It's why I like the Wylex boards, because they have ample space to do this, it doesnt matter a difference if you have a 10mm2 T&E comming from the top or the bottom.
However I don't like there tri rated tails they always look messy where they are crushed at the ends and they show to much copper. The boards also look a bit dated and their mcbs look a little cheap compaired with Hager.

My favourite looking DBs are Hager they are also my favorite Mcbs. If only they had a bit more space behind the din rail I'd probably use these all the time. They are also cheaper than Wylex in our local wholesalers.

 

[Des 56]

All the other options have been taken ,seems the only named brand of consumer unit not mentioned is a quality pint of Newcastle brown

 

[HandySparks]

All the other options have been taken...

Not quite; Crabtree. At least you never get slanting MCBs, as they just push into the busbar.

 

[WillWX]

I fit mainly Wylex, I agree with above, great for dressing. I also like Crabtree too.

Fitted MK on two occasions and it just felt bad, slanty MCBs is definitely a big problem.

 

[LewisM]

Eaton first choice then Hager.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Tel mentioned earlier in this post about Schneider Easi9, and no one has mentioned this brand since.

I like some of the Schneider gear, and am intrigued as to the pros and cons of the Easi9. I have only heard bad things about these boards so far on this forum. They look a little flimsy and cheap when I have glanced over them but the spaciousness I like. Due to previous negative views on them I have never fitted one, but would like to know whether I should consider them.

 

[mhar]

What about SBS anyone? I may give one of their boards a try due to the DP RCBO's on a single module.

Love them, so neat, so compact, come in so many different sizes and all have enough space inside.
Plus 25A B type rcbo's for 4mm radials or when an rfc is not continuous and needs splitting.
Must admit have only used the compact rcbo models though

 

[Midwest]

They've just brought out ones with round knockouts after listening to feed back.

Seems the majority prefer Hager. However looking at the Design 30, seems quite expensive. Can't see anywhere in their catalogue, where they come fully populated, so extra cost in buying the mcb/rcbo's? (Design 30 16 way VM716CUK £120).

I need to supply a high integrity CU, the Hager listings seem to suggest that's restricted to one or two RCBO's, or can that be adapted just altering the busbar?

Lee, re the round knockouts, is that something you've seen or been told about, again can't seem to find mention of that?

 

[mattg4321]

I'm getting the Design 10 in 10 way hi integrity fully populated (only MCB's) for the same price as I can get BG/Wylex for. You can have as many ways from main switch and each RCD as you like (obviously to add up to 10 in total).

 

[telectrix]

Control Gear RCBO boards are not a great deal more in price, and you have the added advantage of better circuit division than with a dual RCD board. same with SBS.

 

[mattg4321]

Control Gear RCBO boards are not a great deal more in price, and you have the added advantage of better circuit division than with a dual RCD board. same with SBS.

The problem with both of those is availability. I use 4 or 5 wholesalers on a regular basis and none of them stock those brands. If I want to get hold of something the same day/something turns up damaged I'm stuffed.

The SBS stuff looks good but it worries me that I won't be able to get parts a year or two down the line.

 

[Midwest]

The SBS stuff looks good but it worries me that I won't be able to get parts a year or two down the line.

Don't wanna get into knocking SBS stuff, but that's why won't bother with it. I know it shouldn't concern me as the original installer, but I get quite peed off with brands where things are changed, and newer products aren't compatible, which makes adding an mcb or RCBO impossible; same with some small company going out of business. Just my opinion.