Monitoring electricity usage at the consumer unit

[ethump]

Hi all,

An easy question I think, surely someone has done this.

I have an apartment and for whatever reason not able to get a smart meter. Or maybe I am but I'm not going down that road at the moment. I have to ask the building superintendent for a reading.

I have a consumer unit in the apartment, pic below. Can I replace the main switch with one that monitors and displays usage? I'll be letting the apartment out on airbnb or something and i want to be able to check the usage over the course of a guest visit.

cheers!

 

[Murdoch]

No you can’t swap the main switch but you might be able to get a spark to fit a meter before the fuseboard

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

There is nothing stopping you getting an electrician to install an additional meter for your own personal measurement..

The existing consumer unit should only have devices that the manufacturer has tested as safe to be mounted inside their enclosure..

But a competent electrician should be able to mount a suitable item somewhere adjacent to the existing unit..

As a rough idea for your info amazon has items listed:
This one would require an additional enclosure
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energy-Ele...89MYCBF/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_2/259-3670535-6649733

Others types do not require an additional enclosure:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TEW-Emlite...2KR5RY2/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_3/259-3670535-6649733

But Amazon is probably not the best choice for actual purchasing!
Just gives you an idea of the sort of costs.
Get a local electrician to give you a price.

 

[ethump]

Thanks for the responses. Makes sense I can't just go sticking any old jank in the CU. Cheers!