Is there any reason/reg why a CU cannot be mounted on its side?

[sprocketflup]

wondering if any of you guys can settle a little argument for us?

a rewire was completed recently where the homeowner insisted he wanted the new CU mounted in a little cupboard that he has beside his front door. This just so happens to house the meter but is homemade, not a proper meter cupboard affair.

The only way this new Cu was going to fit was if it was rotated 90 degrees. It has been done, it all fitted, the operation of all RCDs and MCBs is fine,all testing done. Even the labelling has been rotated so can still be read.

customer happy as a pig in proverbial.

We found nothing in the CUs paperwork to say that this cannot be done.

Have we broken any regs? or general rules?

 

[Zeespark]

Nope, so long as the CU is fixed securely to the wall, all is good.

AndyGuinness

 

[hxsarge]

Might do mine upside down now just to be different !!

 

[PC Electrics]

MCBs and RCBOs are fitted horizontally in TPN boards !!!

Have done this several times myself and can see no reason not to.

"Officially" the ESC says you should seek the manufacturers approval!! Well, they would wouldn't they. Sad when the people we look to for just this kind of advice haven't got the balls to make a decision on our behalf.

 

[lineman]

Done it a few times when space has been an issue.

 

[betty swollocks]

If needs must

So long as its secure and accessible

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I have been known to have carried this out on a few occasions.

 

[NozSpark]

+1

 

[Andy™]

done it many times

even fitted one on a ceiling a few month back...

 

[Manator]

MCBs and RCBOs are fitted horizontally in TPN boards !!!Have done this several times myself and can see no reason not to.

"Officially" the ESC says you should seek the manufacturers approval!! Well, they would wouldn't they. Sad when the people we look to for just this kind of advice haven't got the balls to make a decision on our behalf.

It is a fact of the type of society that we all live in, only the manufacturer could give this approval, however I do agree with your sentiments, at some stage those who make the rules will have to grow some very hard balls and tell us as it is and not pass the buck all the time.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I suppose you shouldnt mount a Hager consumer unit on its side as the little built in level means the manufacturer did not design it for that.

Second thought, the level is so crap mounting it on its side may improve it to show straight anyhow :|

 

[Manator]

I suppose you shouldnt mount a Hager consumer unit on its side as the little built in level means the manufacturer did not design it for that.Second thought, the level is so crap mounting it on its side may improve it to show straight anyhow :|

I just drill a small hole in them and turn them into key rings for party crackers, after all children do not care if the bubble is bigger than the lines.

 

[Cirrus]

Hahahahahahaha nice to hear you all admit to it cos I did the same and mounted one on its side recently and beat myself up for it!

 

[kerching]

I have NEVER done it! I have however rotated the entire house through 90 degrees to give the impression that the board is mounted vertically... :innocent

Back in the day I contacted Wylex about this and they said 'no way, it is wrong, you will create a vortex and the causal matrix will collapse and the Shadow Proclamation will be invoked upon you' I mentioned their 3ph boards having the mcbs sideways! Aha they said, those boards have been designed like that, I asked about mounting a 3ph sideways! Guess what? non committal to the end:coat