Opinion on Proguard (Zahler) consumer units

[OnOff]

Can I ask if anyone has an opinion on these Proguard (Zahler) consumer units? Price wise they seem IMO too good to be true but I don't want to not consider them if they're any good. For my new CU I'm looking at an all RCBO install with around 15 circuits so potentially expensive.

My first choice is an Eaton MEM board based on recommendations. research etc with Hager as another possible. To be honest, with RCBO prices ranging from just over a tenner to like

 

[ProDave]

For an all RCBO install, go for one of the cheap Pro Elec boards from CPC, their RCBO's are about

 

[Doc Hudson]

My concern with an all RCBO board is make sure the enclosure is big enough to form your cables neatly with all the extra space taken up by the RCBO's. With 15 RCBO's I imagine you have a few cables including a 6.0mm & a 10.0mm.

Doc H.

 

[OnOff]

Don't forget the Forum Sponsor - Electrical Components Direct (discount to members, RCBO's and well priced)

Ta for that. They do a 21-way for 19 RCBO's and prices very reasonable! One question what make are they? I'm still not sure about the cheap (Chinese) makes.

 

[Evans Electric]

We live in interesting times now , Onoff .

I used to think years ago " If you've heard of them they're probably good"

That doesn't apply any more , but as a general overview, if you pay peanuts, it was probably built by a monkey or nicked!!

You mentioned Hager , buy it . Or MK. Most MEM Eaton is grossly overpriced IMHO.

No one knows where stuff is made these days , 90% seems to be in China , far east, Pacific Rim, eastern Europe. All very difficult.

Domestically I always used Crabtree as it was good quality and made in the Midlands . Now the quality is not so good, their MCBs ,along with Wylex and Steeple were subject to a massive recall over the last two years and its all made in China . Their Starbreaker seemed to unaffected .

A lot of sparks only ever fit cheapo stuff and surprisingly , when you enquire about faulty returns at the wholesaler , they often come out quite well , Crabtree have a lot of returns at my wholesaler. I would rather buy quality TBH.

MK seem to have maintained their quality. I think Siemens make their MCBs.

Hager distribution seems good to me .

Square D seems OK.

It is said that a lot of MCBs come from the same source , I don't know how true this is .

Square D is identical to Control Centre

Crabtree-Wylex-Steeple are all the same .

 

[OnOff]

We live in interesting times now , Onoff .I used to think years ago " If you've heard of them they're probably good"

That doesn't apply any more , but as a general overview, if you pay peanuts, it was probably built by a monkey or nicked!!

You mentioned Hager , buy it . Or MK. Most MEM Eaton is grossly overpriced IMHO.

No one knows where stuff is made these days , 90% seems to be in China , far east, Pacific Rim, eastern Europe. All very difficult.

Domestically I always used Crabtree as it was good quality and made in the Midlands . Now the quality is not so good, their MCBs ,along with Wylex and Steeple were subject to a massive recall over the last two years and its all made in China . Their Starbreaker seemed to unaffected .

A lot of sparks only ever fit cheapo stuff and surprisingly , when you enquire about faulty returns at the wholesaler , they often come out quite well , Crabtree have a lot of returns at my wholesaler. I would rather buy quality TBH.

MK seem to have maintained their quality. I think Siemens make their MCBs.

Hager distribution seems good to me .

Square D seems OK.

It is said that a lot of MCBs come from the same source , I don't know how true this is .

Square D is identical to Control Centre

Crabtree-Wylex-Steeple are all the same .

All you read in the news now is how the Chinese "Dragon" economy is growing maybe that bit too fast at the expense of safety! Collapsing bridges, tainted milk, their bullet train crash that has apparently slowed their plans to export them. In my day to day job a company I deal with has had problems with quality on Chinese steel. It worries me though when trusted brand names get bought out and the quality goes down. MEM Eaton is at least "MADE IN ENGLAND" - seen a 19 way insulated cu for

 

[Evans Electric]

For how long though , Onoff, ? MEM industrial stuff has been made in Birmingham for a million years but I hear that its going .

 

[ProDave]

seen a 19 way insulated cu for

 

[batty]

Mk are made in the same factory as TD line and Contactum I think although contactum don't have the earth flying lead which is better. Now MK i can buy for around