What consumer unit?

Adam32 · Post by **Adam32** » Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:57 pm

I will be taking down an internal wall and am needing to relocate the consumer unit. The existing unit is ancient with lots of other boxes spliced off it, so will be upgrading the consumer unit so that I have all the capacity I need in one unit.

I have a friend who is a retired electrician who is willing to help me do the job for free, but he has been retired for about 12 years and is not up on the newer stuff / current best kit. I am looking for something with plenty of capacity as I have plans to do an extension at a later date. I am likely to have up to 4 electric showers and will probably get solar panels and an electric car some time in the future. I think I would rather go for something that is overkill with more capacity than I am likely to need.

Can anyone suggest anything suitable?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:25 am

Adam32 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:57 pm electrician who is willing to help me do the job, retired for about 12 years

Adam32 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:57 pmI am likely to have up to 4 electric showers

I don't want to rain on your parade, but in the electrical industry, a lot has changed in 12 years.
Just a few points.
1) Moving a consumers unit is a notifiable job, he will also need to issue the correct paper work
2) It will also need Part P paperwork
3) The size of tails has increased, so has the colour of said tails
4) All the current earthing arrangements will need to be checked / upgraded as required
5) RCBO's are quite common
6) No more plastic consumers units
7) SPD's are not unusual (Most fit them as standard)
8) AFDD's exist too.
9) Smart switches and lights are a "thing" now.
10) If it is as bad as you say, it may be better to get it re-wired.

Adam32 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:57 pmCan anyone suggest anything suitable?

Like I said, I don't want to rain on your parade, but your friend is well out of date, and I am surprised he did not tell you that you can't have 4 electric showers in a house* I can only suggest you get several quotes to have the work done for you safely and with the correct paper work.

*You could, but you would need to have them all interlocked. (Loads of money, and more trouble than its worth, but then its not my money.)

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:27 am

Why do you think you need 4 electric showers? Is this going to be a HMO?

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:52 am

When we had our extension built about 7 years ago we had 2 consumer boards fitted and that gives us loads of capacity. We have solar panels and this hasn’t given us any problems .
We have BG consumer boards.

Mike

Adam32 · Post by **Adam32** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:27 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:27 am Why do you think you need 4 electric showers? Is this going to be a HMO?

I have 4 bedrooms in the house and want to make them all en-suit. There is no chance they would all be used at the same time

Adam32 · Post by **Adam32** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:32 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:25 am your friend is well out of date, and I am surprised he did not tell you that you can't have 4 electric showers in a house*

The capacity is not an issue. There is zero chance that they would all be used at the same time. There is only 2 of us in the house! I just want to make all rooms en-suit, as we like to change our sleeping room frequently.

So any recommendations on consumer units?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 5:50 pm

Adam32 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:32 pmSo any recommendations on consumer units?

Everyone has their own opinion on which consumers unit is best, as you should not be changing it, why not get the person who is changing it to get the one they like.

Adam32 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:32 pmThe capacity is not an issue.

Yes it is, but its not the capacity of the CU in question.

Obviously you do not have to take my advice, that is your choice, but at the end of the day I want you to be able to come back and ask another question, I don't want to find out you went ahead and DIY then found out someone was electrocuted because of your error, or that your house caught fire because of something you did.
You also need to test everything to make sure it is safe, I know you have a friend who will help you, but IF his meter is still working, one thing is for sure, it will be long out of calibration.

Do the job properly, its cheaper in the long run.

FWIW I am following a post of "Future you" He wants to sell the house, but can't as he does not have the correct paperwork

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 6:15 pm

Adam32 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:32 pm So any recommendations on consumer units?

Ask the spark doing the work BUT make sure its a RCBO unit with SPD

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:51 pm

I would go all RCBO, but as to consumer units, nearly all rated at 100 amp, in theory they can go to 125 amp, but never seen one. Over that they are not consumer units, just distribution units.

I thought with 14 RCBO's I had enough, but when solar was fitted needed a second one. EV charging is complex, with in some cases type B RCD's required and RDC's.

I have once gone down the LABC route, they wanted to see calabration certificates and qualification, I only have 17th edition, over £100 to get 18th so never bothered, have C&G 2391 and a degree in electrical engineering but still had problems getting LABC to accept my signature.

derek_bartram · Post by **derek_bartram** » Sat Nov 18, 2023 12:56 pm

Adam32 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:27 pm
Neelix wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:27 am Why do you think you need 4 electric showers? Is this going to be a HMO?
I have 4 bedrooms in the house and want to make them all en-suit. There is no chance they would all be used at the same time

Get your hands on the BS7671 On Site Guide, and take a look at Appendix 1 Maximum Demand and Diversity...

"Water-heaters (instantaneous type), in individual household installations: 100% f.l. of largest appliance + 100% f.l. of second largest appliances + 25% f.l. or remaining appliances"