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Consumer Units and Circuit Breakers | Circuit Protection
The Uk Domestic Consumer Unit – A Buyer's Guide
There is now such a wide range of UK consumer units that choosing the right one for your project can be bewildering. This jargon busting article will help the domestic buyer.
‘Number of Ways'
The first consideration in choosing a consumer unit is deciding how many separate circuits you have. For example, Upstairs Ring Main (main power circuit), Downtairs Ring Main, Upstairs Lighting, Downstairs Lighting, Cooker, Shower, Smoke Alarms, Freezer etc etc. These are all separate circuits.
In the consumer unit these circuits are protected by one of two ‘protection devices'; either an MCB or RCBO. The amount of these devices that a consumer unit can take is known as the ‘Number of Usable Ways'. (Protection Devices are discussed in my article ‘Consumer Units and Accessories – A Glossary)
So, quite simply a 10 way consumer unit means there are 10 usable ways which can take 10 MCBs or RCBOs and consequently will protect 10 separate circuits.
The Five Basic Types of Domestic Consumer Unit
Main Switch Consumer Units - Supplied with 100A Main Switch only
Split Load Consumer Units - Supplied with Main Switch and 1 RCD
Dual RCD Consumer Units / 17th Edition Consumer Units - A consumer unit with 2 x RCDs and Main Switch
High Integrity Consumer Units - These feature 3 bus bars and allow for independent earth leakage protection
(The different types of consumer are discussed in greater detail in my articles ‘The Different Types of UK Consumer Unit' and ‘17th Edition Consumer Units' - The Most Misunderstood Term in Home Improvement)
Metal or Plastic?
This is fairly simply answered by ascertaining where the fuseboard is intended to be situated. If, as is normal, it's going in the house it's normal to use plastic, which is also known as ‘insulated'. If it's to be sited in an outhouse, workshop or garage then its common to use metal. There are no rulaes governing this and is just a matter of preference. However, in cases where an armoured cable is to be terminated in the consumer unit then metal should be used as a plastic unit will snap under the load.
Which Manufacturer?
It seems, certainly to us in the industry, that every man and his dog is now producing consumer units, and at ever lower prices. To be honest I would steer clear of anything that isn't manufactured by a circuit protection specialist.
It's not that anything the newer manufacturers make is unsafe, but there is no guarantee that in years to come these cheaper unbranded units will still be in production; which gives you a big problem if you need replacement MCBs.
The most respected names in the industry, such as Wyex, Hager, MK Sentry or Crabtree.
have been around for years, put huge investment into research and development and offer a far greater range of protection devices and accessories.
About the Author
The Article is written by gil-lec.co.uk providing Main Switch Consumer Units and Split Load Consumer Unit Products. Visit http://www.gil-lec.co.uk for more information on gil-lec.co.uk Products & Services .
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