In the UK, domestic and small commercial or public installations as a rule have single-phase supplies at 230V. The general distributions are called consumer units (CUs), also they may be.
CU’s are known as fuse boxes; older consumer units used fuses until the advent of mini-circuit breakers (MCBs). A consumer unit usually has а single horizontal row of fuses or MCBs but some older units grouped four fuses in a square arrangement. For two-rate supplies (standard/off-peak), a second CU may be added (stacked). Multiple CUs are as well found in larger premises.
Every day your electrical system loses its relevancy, as new kitchens, electrical sockets, bathrooms installing in the house. As a result, the system might be overloaded since it was not initially designed for carrying such amount of circuits.
When we perform periodic inspection, we often find that 2 or more circuits are wired into the same fuse, or do not have the proper rating of overload protection getting your home at risk of fire.
According to the latest BS7671 all circuits have to be protected by RCD (Residual Circuit Device). RCD is a necessary measure since it protects your house from fires and probable electric shocks.
Many property owners do not have RCD installed but it became obligatory since 2008 reg:522.6.7/8. BS7671 Amendment 1 2011 IEE Regulations. They are suitable to every new type 17th Edition consumer units we install and trips if more than 30mA or fault current exists.
New consumer units got MCbs in order to protect the circuit from overload. For instance, cable with the rate 10amps, then MCB is supposed to be rated below that, so that it’ll trip instead of cable getting hot. Also, the newest consumer units have 2 RCDs for fault protection. The purpose of having two is that the circuit (lights, sockets) can be split and in case a fault occurs you don’t lose all the electricity in the house, what really helps if you have food that might be spoiled or “vulnerable” devices.
We give 12-month warrant for all our consumer units and an Electrical Installation Certificate is issued on work accomplished.
Consumer units usually are installed during home rewiring as it provides your house with maximum safety.
Our company offers full service in consumer replacement in London, that is executed by local authorized electricians.
