Table of Contents
Does a metal consumer unit need to be earthed?
Yes, of course it must be earthed.
Can I install my own consumer unit?
Unless you are a qualified electrician, then you should not try to replace your own consumer unit. It is a legal requirement that this type of electrical work is carried out by a certified professional. Beyond that, if done incorrectly, you could injure yourself or put both your family and home at risk.
What is a 2 way consumer unit?
A 2 way consumer unit is a compact choice ideal for smaller outbuildings or dwellings, offering two outgoing ways for device configuration.
Do you need RCD with RCBO?
Whether you choose to use an RCBO or an RCD depends on the installation type and budget. For example, when there is an earth leak in a switchboard using all RCBO breakers, only the breaker with the faulty switch will go off.
Should consumer units be metal or plastic?
Do consumer units have to be metal? Since regulations changed in 2016, all domestic consumer units must be either enclosed in a non-combustible material or housed in a cabinet made from a non-combustible material.
When did metal consumer units become law?
1st January 2016
17th Edition Amendment 3 of BS 7671:2008 came into effect in July 2015 and stressed the importance of enhanced fire risk protection. 1st January 2016 marks the implementation of the switch to metal clad consumer units for all new electrical installations and designs.
Can you change consumer unit without rewire?
Yes, if the old installation has been tested and it’s up to the current regulations, there is no problem.
Can I change an electrical consumer unit myself?
You can replace your consumer unit without disconnecting the power as long as you’re careful. Also, if you want or need to replace the meter tails to the consumer unit, you must involve the electricity board who will wire them into the sealed meter for you.
Why are consumer units now metal?
These rules were put in place to contain any fires that broke out in the consumer unit within their casing, stopping the spread of flames. Consumer units made out of non-combustible metals such as steel would pass these regulations.
Does a consumer unit have to have a main switch?
The consumer unit is responsible for powering all the circuits in your home and is made up from various parts, such as: mains switch, residual current devices (RCD’s), and circuit breakers. You should always know where your consumer unit is located, in case of emergency and you need to turn it off or on.
Can you have 2 consumer units in a house?
You can certainly have as many CUs as you want. There is a BS 7671 regulation demanding that every installation has a (singular) “main switch”.
Is plastic consumer unit fail EICR?
In short, No. The electrical regulations are not law. However, some instances they are enforced as law. Such as the landlord regulations.
Can I still use a plastic consumer unit?
If you have an electrical report carried out and you have a plastic consumer unit it is still not a requirement to have an upgrade. Plastic Consumer units are still in use, and will be for many years without issues.
Can you put a new consumer unit with old wiring?
You should have an EICR electrical installation condition report done to highlight any faults in the wiring prior to having a new consumer unit fitted . Then these faults can be rectified and then the consumer unit can be installed to current regulations.
How much does it cost to change a consumer unit 2022?
How much should a new fuse box cost in 2022? Although it depends on many factors, the average fuse board replacement cost in the UK is about £350 for a six-circuit consumer unit, £450 for ten-circuit consumer unit, and £550 for a twelve-circuit consumer unit. Read this cost guide to find out more!