Consumer Unit Upgrade

We can provide a free quotation to replace existing non-compliant types with Metal Consumer Units containing Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) & Residual Current Devices (RCDs). These consumer units have built-in 30mA protection for the use of electrical equipment outdoors & easily re-set circuit breakers giving safe & accurate protection of circuits.

We also upgrade main & supplementary equipotential bonding to BS7671 standards.

Miniature Circuit Breakers

MCBs are mechanical switches that incorporate thermal & magnetic short circuit protection giving accurate & fast disconnection in the case of a fault.

Unlike fuse wires they can be reset without the need of tools.

Residual Current Devices

RCDs are earth fault safety trips that monitor the whole installation or individual circuit for earth leakage currents.

In a healthy circuit, phase & neutral currents are balanced. If an earth fault occurs (eg: faulty kettle element) the fault current imbalances the phase & neutral current, which is then detected by the RCD & it quickly isolates the fault. RCDs protect against fire as fault currents remain low, they are also essential for use with outdoor equipment.

We can advise which type & sensitivity of RCD you require.

Bonding Main/Supplementary

Main & supplementary equipotential bonding is required to limit any voltage between simultaneously accessible exposed conductive & extraneous conductive parts.

An exposed conductive part

Metal case of electric heater, kettle, toaster, etc.

An extraneous conductive part

Taps, shower fittings & metal pipes for gas & water.

Supplementary Equipotential Bonding

Supplementary Equipotential Bonding is required in bath & shower rooms where the risk of an electric shock is high due to moisture & low body resistance.

Bonding comprises of conductors being attached with suitable clamps to water & gas service pipes where they enter the building & to ensure all metallic equipment in rooms of high shock risk (eg bathrooms) is at the same potential.

BS7671/IEE Wiring Regulations are set out to ensure safe & reliable electrical installations.

Consumer Unit upgrades are required for various reasons:

• Consumer unit is Plastic located within the sole route of escape
• Existing earthing devices are obsolete or faulty (eg old fault voltage Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers)
• Existing Consumer Unit is overloaded & requires more outgoing ways for a house extension, etc.
• New Consumer Units offer easier resetting of devices in the event of a fault.
• The installation of RCDs for protection of equipment used outdoors
• The correct size of protective device is essential to disconnect any circuit in case of a fault that could cause a fire or electric shock. Different size cables can carry different size loads, if a cable is overloaded it will get hot.