CU Upgrade - what type?

[springcrocus]

Customer wants her CU upgraded (photo here) but wants the same style i.e. reccessed in the wall.

So far, I have only found Contactum boards that seem to do the job, and no local suppliers. Anybody got any ideas where (and what) I can get a suitable replacement?

 

[Andy™]

Try Wylex

EDIT:

Wylex Skeleton Consumer Unit Boards

 

[batty]

Springy

That is just a wylex standard range one flush in wall what is wall made of.

Batty

 

[M107]

What about a MK or Wylex Skelly board.

 

[springcrocus]

So there you go! I didn't know they were called that. I've been Googling for Flush Consumer Unit, reccessed CU etc and very few hits. It helps to know what they are properly called.

I popped into the local CEF at the weekend and the guy there said they don't do them and offered me a couple of phone numbers. He didn't know what they were called, either! I can see why people generally don't like CEF.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

That IS a 'standard range' Wylex surface mount board that has been flushed into the wall. Nothing wrong with doing that, have done many myself. Anything can replace that but if you want it flush then go for metalclad as only the lid comes off.

Interesting tails, is that a NN system.

 

[batty]

That IS a 'standard range' Wylex surface mount board that has been flushed into the wall. Nothing wrong with doing that, have done many myself. Anything can replace that but if you want it flush then go for metalclad as only the lid comes off. Interesting tails, is that a NN system.

Or two L2'S

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Try this Contactum CP Dual RCD Consumer Units Flush half way down.

 

[springcrocus]

Interesting tails, is that a NN system.

Applaud Smiley I expect the red tape fell off the other tail.

Another thing, the bonding to the water pipe is wired directly into the PME head and only 6mm. The earthing conductor is also 6mm. This is going to take some jiggery-pokery to get sorted.

I had thought about cutting both cables and putting them in a MET and then a new 16mm to the CU and leave the water bond at 6mm, connecting that into the MET. The water bonding cable goes under their nice, new, shiny tiled floor. :_|

Any thoughts?

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

PS, that's not a skeleton board. Also the reason i mentioned a metal unit is i think all insulated units now have sides that come off with the lid, no good for flush mounting. The Contactum range is good quality and well priced.

 

[batty]

PS, that's not a skeleton board. Also the reason i mentioned a metal unit is i think all insulated units now have sides that come off with the lid, no good for flush mounting. The Contactum range is good quality and well priced.

Mr slips do you think the contactum units will fit in a meter box with the fiuse box built in. I have one to do soon as it has a Wylex board fitted in a meter box. I cannot remember make of box but it was something like clifton. I have got to upgrade as the wiring is being altered for building works and needs Rcd protection. I did one a while back and used a Wylex skelton unit but I prefer Contactum.

Battyl

 

[springcrocus]

In case anyone is interested, I replaced the CU with one of the ones I found in the Contactum range. Slips kindly opinioned that they were OK and, after fitting it, I agree. (Picture here)

The wiring isn't especially tidy, but the best I could do without replacing the first leg of each circuit - no extra cable to pull through.

I had to chop out an extra inch for the height and about two for the length but, otherwise, it went in very easily.

Compared to a CED unit which I fitted recently, this was much more robust. The MCB's fit firmly on the rail and when you tighten the screws, they actually grip the cable, unlike the CED rubbish which on two occasions, after a good tug, popped straight back out of the terminal and had to be put in again - heck of a job to tighten without busting the MCB.

In my last post in this thread, I'd mentioned that the bonding to the water was wired straight into the head. On closer inspection it turned out that, although the meter was sealed, the seal on the supply fuse was missing. This allowed me the opportunity to pull the fuse (dressed in full combat gear, just in case) and stick a couple of Henley blocks in the meter cupboard and upgrade the tails from 16mm to 25 mm. I also put in a MET and chopped the bond to the water, putting both legs from the head into the MET and a new 16mm earthing conductor to the CU. Then new bond from water also to the CU, dragged through with the old cable. When I took (this picture), I hadn't yet replaced it with the new 10mm cable. Phoned Elecsa for their opinion and they said that what I had done was a reasonable compromise.

DNO have been booked to come (in their own sweet time) to upgrade the head and meter tails and the earthing conductor from the MET to the head.

OK, folks, I'm ready to take some stick...

 

[kme]

None to give mate. I also rate the contactum stuff, except for some issues with IPX4 integrity on top surface - retrofit can be hard to achieve.

 

[batty]

In case anyone is interested, I replaced the CU with one of the ones I found in the Contactum range. Slips kindly opinioned that they were OK and, after fitting it, I agree. (Picture here)The wiring isn't especially tidy, but the best I could do without replacing the first leg of each circuit - no extra cable to pull through.

I had to chop out an extra inch for the height and about two for the length but, otherwise, it went in very easily.

Compared to a CED unit which I fitted recently, this was much more robust. The MCB's fit firmly on the rail and when you tighten the screws, they actually grip the cable, unlike the CED rubbish which on two occasions, after a good tug, popped straight back out of the terminal and had to be put in again - heck of a job to tighten without busting the MCB.

In my last post in this thread, I'd mentioned that the bonding to the water was wired straight into the head. On closer inspection it turned out that, although the meter was sealed, the seal on the supply fuse was missing. This allowed me the opportunity to pull the fuse (dressed in full combat gear, just in case) and stick a couple of Henley blocks in the meter cupboard and upgrade the tails from 16mm to 25 mm. I also put in a MET and chopped the bond to the water, putting both legs from the head into the MET and a new 16mm earthing conductor to the CU. Then new bond from water also to the CU, dragged through with the old cable. When I took (this picture), I hadn't yet replaced it with the new 10mm cable. Phoned Elecsa for their opinion and they said that what I had done was a reasonable compromise.

DNO have been booked to come (in their own sweet time) to upgrade the head and meter tails and the earthing conductor from the MET to the head.

OK, folks, I'm ready to take some stick...

Springy

You could have given that meter box a brush out if my missus saw that she would not have been to pleased.

Batty

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Mr slips do you think the contactum units will fit in a meter box with the fiuse box built in. I have one to do soon as it has a Wylex board fitted in a meter box. I cannot remember make of box but it was something like clifton. I have got to upgrade as the wiring is being altered for building works and needs Rcd protection. I did one a while back and used a Wylex skelton unit but I prefer Contactum.Battyl

The Clifton units DO use a Wylex skeleton board that is based on the old 'Standard' range. No Rcd's are availible for this. Years ago i fitted a Proteus ( Cef's own sh*t brand) as not much else was around. Loads of boards around now, so you will have to measure up !

PS, I remember even the plug in breakers on a few of these Clifton units ( There is also another make) made the door unable to close.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

OK, folks, I'm ready to take some stick...

well you could of slapped a lick of white emulsion on that wall around CU before taking the picture!! :^O:^O

you stick in a nice new CU...

but let the surrounding wall let you down....

I don't expect wall paper or curtains...

but a slap of paint please!!!!!

NO paint... code 6 on my PIR's!!! ] ] ]

 

[Badger]

well you could of slapped a lick of white emulsion on that wall around CU before taking the picture!! :^O:^Oyou stick in a nice new CU...

but let the surrounding wall let you down....

I don't expect wall paper or curtains...

but a slap of paint please!!!!!

NO paint... code 6 on my PIR's!!! ] ] ]

:^O :^O:^O well spotted there mate.