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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> preferred consumer unit https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1091040467 Message started by diy_guy on Jul 28^th, 2004, 7:47pm

Title: preferred consumer unit
Post by diy_guy on Jul 28^th, 2004, 7:47pm

Hello,

Complete novice would like some advice on the best consumer unit in the market today. I am about to start a house rewire and about to buy everything I need for the job. I re-wired my last house and used a split Crabtree Starbreaker CU for the job. It seemed pretty good to me but then I'm a complete novice.

Note: I won't be doing any of the dangerous stuff myself - just all the simple jobs like ring / socket / light installation etc.

Many Thanks.
diy_guy.

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by supersparky on Jul 28^th, 2004, 8:31pm

MK- mutts nutts, screwfix do a competative deal at the moment- something like �73 for a 6/6 (12way) with all breakers.
failing an MK unit, try, in this order;
MK
MEM
HAGER
WYLEX

ss

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Jul 28^th, 2004, 8:35pm

Ah SS ya a genuis!

Choices are - MK, MK or MK. Senate-RExel (if ya have one near you) do a 12 way split (8 useable) for �32+ VAT then �3 per MCB (any/all value MCB) + VAT

OR I can get you one for �500 - only joking mate.

RR

PS. I liked the 'simple' bits; the final ring, the lighting circuit, sockets (channeling implied). The simple bit IS the CU!

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Jul 28^th, 2004, 8:37pm

PPS. Wahtever you do - DO NOT buy the Volex 'thing' that Screwfix are offering at the moment for some �50+ fuly loaded it is absolute rubbish.

RR

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by supersparky on Jul 28^th, 2004, 8:42pm

yeh, seconded, volex are the hated make amongst all sparkys mate, steer clear.

ss

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by tellondon on Jul 28^th, 2004, 9:58pm

Are you up on the regs with all the earthing-bonding regs now DIY GUY?

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by diy_guy on Jul 29^th, 2004, 10:47am

Great response guys - many thanks.

I have seen the MK unit named in a few places so I'll look at this.

RR - point taken ref ring install.

Tellondon - I put in the rings in my previous house under instruction from a sparky I knew. No longer in touch with him now though. He advised me about the bonding required e.g. to bath, rads etc. I've read the Wickes DIY electrical guide which I got from one of their stores recently. It discusses bathroom zoning which seemed I never knew about before.

I searched the web for official household wiring rules and regs but couldn't find any from www.iee.org & www.niceic.org.uk websites. Grateful if you could point me somewhere.

I'll be getting a qualified sparky in to connect up rings to the CU and test for me anyway so I could always ask him.

Rgds,
diy_guy

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by shed-u-like on Jul 29^th, 2004, 1:04pm

From www.amazon.co.uk

Essental reading

IEE on Site Guide (BS 7671: 2001 16th Edition Wiring Regulations Including Amendment 2: 2002) ~ Institution of Electrical Engineers -- (Spiral-bound - April 1, 2004)
Our Price: �15.00

Easy guide to all the basics

"Which?" Book of Wiring and Lighting
~Mike Lawrence
Which? Books
Usually dispatched within 2 to 3 days

List Price: �16.99
Our Price: �11.89
You Save: �5.10 (30%)
Used & New from �11.

Also

The Electricians Guide to Good Practice
Published by Amicus AEEU (Tel. 020 8462 7755)
A condensed version of BS7671 (the IEE Wiring Regs)
Excellent value at under �10

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by L.Spark on Jul 29^th, 2004, 2:07pm

What shed-u-like has said is ok, I would suggest only getting the On Site Guide if your intrested to know more, as the others will have lots of stuff you wont want to read, Definatly get the place tested when your done with your works, that covers yourself and everyone else, and shows up anything that you might not have noticed whilst rewiring

good luck and take care, come back if you have any questions r.e. wiring or earthing and bonding etc

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Jul 29^th, 2004, 2:07pm

No probs Diy_Guy. As with all (plastic) insulated CU having floating bus bars - if you are installing the CU - ensure that you keep all MCB's, Isolators, RCD etc. vertical and neatly closed up against each other as you tighhten the bus bar else you may have problems fitting the cover at the end. They (all of em) may sem flimsy during build but it all clamps up nice a tightly at the end.

Best of luck with the wiring, take it easy and slowly don't rush. And don't forget cable clips every 200 mm..

Any problems then ask SS �;D

Ray

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by The_Trician on Aug 2^nd, 2004, 12:47am

And whatever else you don't do, for gods sake don't forget to cut the seals and remove the leccky board main fuse before you begin.

Could be fatal otherwise.

TT

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by L.Spark on Aug 2^nd, 2004, 12:50am

Yea, altho it may be a little late in posting that, nevermind, hopefully common sense will prevail, ......... ???

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by diy_guy on Aug 2^nd, 2004, 10:23am

No not too late.

I'm just gathering everything I need for the job and will hopefully start in next couple of weeks. Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks all.

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by L.Spark on Aug 2^nd, 2004, 9:58pm

good luck DIY, and do tell us how you get on :)

Title: Re: preferred consumer unit
Post by ban-all-sheds on Aug 9^th, 2004, 10:42pm

wrote on Jul 29^th, 2004, 10:47am:

I searched the web for official household wiring rules and regs but couldn't find any from www.iee.org & www.niceic.org.uk websites. Grateful if you could point me somewhere.

You can't have looked very hard on the IEE website:

In the search box on the home page, enter "regulations" and click go.

3rd link down "New Version of the IEE Wiring Regulations published 31 March 2004 " takes you to http://www.iee.org/oncomms/pn/betnet/wiring_regs.cfm

I would also recommend Whitfield's Electricians Guide, available from Amazon or TLC, and IEE Guidance Notes 1, 5, 6 & 7.

And if you're interested in some of the theory behind the regs, check out Paul Cook's Commentary on the Wiring Regs - IEE or Amazon.