Consumer unit upgrade

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ash121

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Looking to upgrade the current consumer unit, it is located in the garage, the new cu will be in the same location. Having read various posts it appears that the Hager boards are well regarded but the MK boards not so

But my electrician is adamant in wanting to install an MK RCD board 13 way, he advised 13 way is a bit more than my actual requirements but it will be future proof in the event i decide to do an extension or something

I suggested a Hagar board but he dismissed that! And insisted to fit an MK board as he is familiar with them

Your thoughts would be appreciated, where does the MK board rank? Would you recommend any other CU other than Hagar?
 
ash121 said:
Looking to upgrade the current consumer unit, it is located in the garage, the new cu will be in the same location. Having read various posts it appears that the Hager boards are well regarded but the MK boards not so

But my electrician is adamant in wanting to install an MK RCD board 13 way, he advised 13 way is a bit more than my actual requirements but it will be future proof in the event i decide to do an extension or something

I suggested a Hagar board but he dismissed that! And insisted to fit an MK board as he is familiar with them

Your thoughts would be appreciated, where does the MK board rank? Would you recommend any other CU other than Hagar?
Click to expand...
Why does "your
ash121 said:
Looking to upgrade the current consumer unit, it is located in the garage, the new cu will be in the same location. Having read various posts it appears that the Hager boards are well regarded but the MK boards not so

But my electrician is adamant in wanting to install an MK RCD board 13 way, he advised 13 way is a bit more than my actual requirements but it will be future proof in the event i decide to do an extension or something

I suggested a Hagar board but he dismissed that! And insisted to fit an MK board as he is familiar with them

Your thoughts would be appreciated, where does the MK board rank? Would you recommend any other CU other than Hagar?
Click to expand...
Why does your "Electrician" demand that you have to change your CU? has he done any testing of the installation? probably has the one he is recommending kicking around in his Van, get a second opinion.
 
If he won't fit what you want get someone else.

On the odd occasion I've fitted MK boards I've been unimpressed by them but honestly If I would not be concerned if there was one in my own home.
 
Pic of current consumer unit attached, there is one for immersion heater and electric shower but these are no longer needed for the new CU. This one is Hagar :)
 

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May also do a garage conversion and also fit mains smoke alarms, and in the future but unlikely may do a rear extension, rather be safe than sorry

Install is for normal rcd board not rcbo

Could you provide links to what Hagar board i should buy please i.e 10, 12, 14 way if there is not much price difference then happy go with 14 way
 
If your electrician has said get a 13 way then I would get a 13 way. Usually during the pre-works visit I would open up the CU, he may have done this and seen lots of extra conductors in each circuit breaker and realised that you need (for example) 10 used ways, therefore you will have 3 spare.

It really doesn't matter if you get hagar, wylex, crabtree, MK, BG etc etc etc. They will all be exactly the same for you (barring cost), it's just about personal preference for the installer. He probably has plenty of MK spares should anything go wrong and he needs them.
 
Existing 7 circuits + Garage +smokes+ extension + any possible existing doubled up circuits
Seems to be a reasonable suggestion by your own spark
Best go with the advice given by your electrician on the job,he is in a far better position to make recommendation than anyone from afar
 
Des 56 said:
Existing 7 circuits + Garage +smokes+ extension + any possible existing doubled up circuits
Seems to be a reasonable suggestion by your own spark
Best go with the advice given by your electrician on the job,he is in a far better position to make recommendation than anyone from afar
Click to expand...

He's told me to supply the board but not sure what to go for any links to the product to purchase will be appreciated there are so many different ones to choose from:oops:
 
The price for a distribution board can vary enormously
You have to take into account what you are prepared to pay because it has a great influence on the type of board to fit
If price is no problem,then a full RCBO board is a must,if cash is tighter then the regs permit systems that comply but may not give the same ability to cause minimum disruption in the event of a fault

You may be advised to be open about what you can afford
Are you cash tight or is pounds no problem? :)
 
Des 56 said:
The price for a distribution board can vary enormously
You have to take into account what you are prepared to pay because it has a great influence on the type of board to fit
If price is no problem,then a full RCBO board is a must,if cash is tighter then the regs permit systems that comply but may not give the same ability to cause minimum disruption in the event of a fault

You may be advised to be open about what you can afford
Are you cash tight or is pounds no problem? :)
Click to expand...

I have a budget as renovating complete house, so do not mind not having and rcbo board but happy to pay for the best rcd board that is currently out there :)
 
ChrisElectrical88 said:
If you went Hager 14 Way non SPD RCBO board fully loaded with the new Mini RCBOs your looking about 300+Vat.

If you go that route though get a picture of the end product, will be like looking at ----. Not had a client willing to pay for one yet.
Click to expand...

:oops: thats way out of my budget, ill stick to the one you recommended and look for the best price
 
ash121 said:
Where would be the best place to buy from?
Click to expand...
You're now going to buying a board recommended to you by a complete stranger on the internet rather than your electrician, perhaps mention the choice to your electrician before buying to make sure it is suitable.
 
happyhippydad said:
You're now going to buying a board recommended to you by a complete stranger on the internet rather than your electrician, perhaps mention the choice to your electrician before buying to make sure it is suitable.
Click to expand...

Good point, but why would it not be suitable? I've uploaded a pic of my current CU if that helps?
 
It was explained earlier by the OP that the 7 way board pictured also had a shower and immersion boards that would be incorporated into the new board... so that's 9... Add futureproofing to another couple spare ways... that's 11... And now it depends on what size the manufacturer produces.
Hager does a 14 way, maybe a 12?? So a 13 way MK may have been a realistic suggestion.

Coincidently, I swapped an MK board last week to a 14 way Hager, full RCBO, with 2 spare ways.
Not cheap. But then, my customer's budget wasn't too limited!
 
littlespark said:
It was explained earlier by the OP that the 7 way board pictured also had a shower and immersion boards that would be incorporated into the new board... so that's 9... Add futureproofing to another couple spare ways... that's 11... And now it depends on what size the manufacturer produces.
Hager does a 14 way, maybe a 12?? So a 13 way MK may have been a realistic suggestion.

Coincidently, I swapped an MK board last week to a 14 way Hager, full RCBO, with 2 spare ways.
Not cheap. But then, my customer's budget wasn't too limited!
Click to expand...


The immersion and electric shower is no longer needed, but I'm guessing the immersion could be used as another wall socket instead
 
littlespark said:
It was explained earlier by the OP that the 7 way board pictured also had a shower and immersion boards that would be incorporated into the new board... so that's 9... Add futureproofing to another couple spare ways... that's 11... And now it depends on what size the manufacturer produces.
Hager does a 14 way, maybe a 12?? So a 13 way MK may have been a realistic suggestion.

Coincidently, I swapped an MK board last week to a 14 way Hager, full RCBO, with 2 spare ways.
Not cheap. But then, my customer's budget wasn't too limited!
Click to expand...
I thought he said they weren’t needed in the new unit....
edit.OP beat me to it
 

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