18th Edition Metal Consumer Unit
Old Fuse Board
Amendment 3 Consumer Units
Does your consumer unit comply with the latest BS 7671:2018 requirements?
The consumer unit (or fuse box in the old days) is at the heart of any electrical installation. It is an essential part of your domestic wiring and provides protection against electric shock, overload and fire.
Whilst the fuse box provides some course protection against certain electrical faults, such as overloading, it does not protect against electric shock or fire. If a fuse blows it may be necessary to fumble around in the dark to rewire the fuse. Should a fault occur and you are unfortunate enough to come into contact with a live wire or equipment you could die! They are crude compared with modern units.
Now under the requirements of the 18th edition every socket outlet in a domestic installation will require RCD protection not exceeding 30mA.This will give you the required protection for the life conductors to automatically disconnect if a fault or contact with life conductors are ever to occur.
BS 7671:2018
Regulation 421.1.200 (PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT) comes into full effect 1ST JANUARY 2016 for all new installations.
Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall:
1. Have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material.
2. Be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material.
Amendment 3 Install Methods
Ancient Wylex consumer units + modern MEM and MK
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