replacing a consumer unit

[David Say]

I have read various conflicting documents about updating fix equipment and really like know the correct answer to my problem. A Consumer unit in an existing property is 450mm from floor level, now I know there is no height set for consumer units but if i change it can I leave I there or will I have to move it

 

[kingeri]

If customer is happy with the current location then why would you move it?

 

[telectrix]

I have read various conflicting documents about updating fix equipment and really like know the correct answer to my problem. A Consumer unit in an existing property is 450mm from floor level, now I know there is no height set for consumer units but if i change it can I leave I there or will I have to move it

it's only on new build that building regs. recommend a height. in a replacement situation it's customer's preference as to whether you move it or not.

 

[sparksburnout]

Forgive me being obtuse but if you don't know the answer to this very simple question should you be changing it anyway??

 

[David Say]

An answer was is all I needed thanks not an opinion

 

[Paul.M]

Reasonable question and just double checking the answer. Please lets not start a cat fight, it's the weekend chill

 

[Octopus]

An answer was is all I needed thanks not an opinion

Oh dear.... another poster who thinks they deserve everything but will earn nothing.

Come on matey, the opinion was rather accurate IMHO

EDIT: Just read your earlier posts.

Maybe you should try and gain entry to the trainee section.

 

[Paul.M]

No more please or I'll just close this thread.

 

[telectrix]

just as an aside. re. CU regs. being semi-retired, i'm looking at some of the regs. that appear ambiguous. here's one.

CU IP ratings. top side IP4X, that precludes insertion of anything over 1mm from top side of the CU, assuming it can access live parts, which would be the load side terminals of the MCBs. but, the bottom surface is IP2X, so a metal screwdriver could be inserted onto the live busbar. what's the logic?

 

[Paul.M]

Falling objects is what I was told on the 2391. But I would not put money on that coming from a sausage factory of a training center.

Have not done a new build for a couple of years now, what is the required height?

 

[Flanders]

I here a story that Someone hung their coat on a metal hanger hooked on top of the wylex CU.
Due to a small hole in top of the CU and the coat hanger was resting op top of the fuses making it live !!!

 

[telectrix]

Falling objects is what I was told on the 2391. But I would not put money on that coming from a sausage factory of a training center.

Have not done a new build for a couple of years now, what is the required height?

think it's between ---- and chin.

 

[Paul.M]

think it's between ---- and chin.

That works for me, we are about the same height Tel.

 

[Flanders]

Falling objects is what I was told on the 2391. But I would not put money on that coming from a sausage factory of a training center.

Have not done a new build for a couple of years now, what is the required height?

In my handy Pocket Guide 7 it sugests that sockets switches and other electrical equipment should be between 450 mm to 1200mm. So its more like between Nuts and Knees

 

[Martin Kerr]

think it's between ---- and chin.

What size is your ----?

 

[Paul.M]

What size is your ----?

Only seen him with a t-shirt on but I'd say about a C cup with hairs!

 

[telectrix]

In my handy Pocket Guide 7 it sugests that sockets switches and other electrical equipment should be between 450 mm to 1200mm. So its more like between Nuts and Knees

nah. knees and navel.

 

[Andy78]

In my handy Pocket Guide 7 it sugests that sockets switches and other electrical equipment should be between 450 mm to 1200mm. So its more like between Nuts and Knees

That's correct of general switches and accessories, but the current part M requires consumer unit switch devices to be at 1350mm - 1450mm above floor level.

 

[telectrix]

got blue ---- and great ----. all about 3" in length. it's the pigeons that cause problems. next door's cat gets to them after i shoot them.

 

[Flanders]

That's correct of general switches and accessories, but the current part M requires consumer unit switch devices to be at 1350mm - 1450mm above floor level.

Its a good Job I don't do domestics

 

[Andy78]

Its a good Job I don't do domestics

It's only a recent change, 2015 edition of Part M. I don't do new builds either though, not my scene at all.

 

[telectrix]

wish i didn't.

 

[Flanders]

It's only a recent change, 2015 edition of Part M. I don't do new builds either though, not my scene at all.

So they decided that they did not care about disabled people accessing there Consumer unit to reset an mcb or rcd when a lamp blows

 

[Andy78]

So they decided that they did not care about disabled people accessing there Consumer unit to reset an mcb or rcd when a lamp blows

I suppose it must be deemed accessible to wheelchair users yet out of reach of small children. It's the primordial dwarfs I feel are excluded here.

 

[Midwest]

What size is your ----?

Depends on how far they droop, mind.

 

[Midwest]

Falling objects is what I was told on the 2391.

I can vouch that. Did a job recently, where the old chap kept all his small cartridge fuses for his Wylex board on top of it, for safe keeping. He kept losing them though. I took the lid off and found them all on top the main switch terminals, haven fallen through an non compliant IP rated hole :-(

 

[Leesparkykent]

The new board can stay at the same height the old one is. The new board shouldn't be installed at a new height which would make it worse for accessibility than it is now, which in your case would be below 450mm.