Hi can anyone tell me if domestic consumer units have to be installed horizontally ? I have a new unit to install except the meter has been placed in the top corner of the enclosure with the cut out below, leavin no room for a new unit above it, the only place I can put it is to one side but it would have to go vertically, is this acceptable?

We've discussed this several times in the past and I think the general opinion is that it's ok, bearing in mind that some of the larger commercial type boards have the mcb's mounted horizontally anyway,

Dave.

they should be mounted as per manufacurers instructions

Hope this isn't the meter cupboard?

Yes it is the meter cupboard the old cu is a wooden back wylex board which are much smaller as you know, and is tightly packed in above the meter there is not enough room for a new board, hence why I need to mount it vertically or mess about getting the meter moved at more cost to the customer.

Thanks Dave, that's what I thought as most 3 phase boards have there mcb's or rcbo's mounted that way.
Many thanks

Brian

will look strange but would be ok

like i said it MUST be installed as per manufactures instructions, i am sure there is something in the bible we all work to that says that and remember some boards even come with a handy buble so you can try to mount them almost level, not on their side

I don't remember ever seeing any reference to mounting positions in c/unit instruction sheets Dave, and the ones that i've used that have a spirit level supplied have had it as a loose item so it could be used in either orientation. Although the pictures usually show horizontal mounting i've never seen it mentioned that they must be mounted that way,

Dave.

So lets say you came across one on an EICR what code would you give it?

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Regards

Dave(not Cockburn)

none,, whats the problem with it, so long as you could read the circuit chart..

Agreed OS!

Thanks everyone it's going in on it's side tomorrow, I've checked the data sheets for the cu I'm installing and no where does it say that the unit cannot be installed vertically, thankyou for all your comments.


Brian.

Agreed OS & DP , hence the question to dave69

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Regards

Dave(not Cockburn)

I would say there are two considerations here :-

1/ Some manufactures make the MCBs to go in 3 phase boards horizontally so in that case operationally I see no problem.

2/ Expectancy - in a single phase CU the expectation (and the labelling) is for vertical - would a "ordinary person" be unduly confused by this and therefore safety impaired?

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Regards,
Ebee (M I S P N)

Knotted cables cause Lumpy Lektrik

Thanks Ebee, it seems like you are almost agreeing with me, As I keep saying a CU should be installed as per manufactures instructions, look at the pictures and they all show them horizontal, the labels are designed for horizontal.

If a CU was deigned to be mounted vertical dont you think the "key hole slots" for fixing would reflect this.

If you look at the spec for consumer unit it will give the size as
1) Width
2) Height
3) Depth

so that will again tell you which way it should be mounted so if you mount it any other way it is worth checking with the manufactures that it still complies with BS EN 60439-3

I am not saying it is dangerous to mount a CU vertical, but I AM saying it is bad practice and poor lazy workmanship.

If it wont fit move it

Edited: 20 August 2012 at 08:17 PM by Dave69

So what code on an EICR?

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Regards

Dave(not Cockburn)

None! What code would you give a 13amp socket that was mounted vertically due to lack of space? Not very common I know but sometimes seen!

Dave.

Btw, i'm not saying it would look very good and i've never done it myself but sometimes situations promote non-standard approaches don't they, (c/units, sockets or whatever)

Dave.

The EICR question is aimed at the posters who think there is a problem with mounting the CU on its side

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Regards

Dave(not Cockburn)