Understanding Your Consumer Unit Layout, Identifying Conductors, SPD's, MCB’s and RCD's (fuse box)
In this video we look at the layout of a Wylex 10 way dual RCD consumer unit and explain to appreciate electricians the key elements.
Understanding the layout of your U.K consumer unit (fuse box) including identifying conductors with numbers. We look at the placing of conductor, size and types MCB's, meter tails and the main double pole switch as well as SPD'S and types of RCD AC and A type.
== 🕐 Time Stamps - Cut to the action 🕕 ==
00:00 - Understanding your consumer unit
00:04 - Introduction
00:23 - Introducing surge protection devices (SPD's)
01:18 - Labels on the front of a consumer unit or fuse box
01:32 - RCD test label RCD to be testing every 6 months (half yearly)
02:17 - The correct procedure for turning off a consumer unit (fuse box) before opening the enclosure
04:41 - How do we enter and electrical enclosure
05:26 - Main double pole switch or linked main switch
06:03 - RCD's type AC
06:18 - The need for type A RCD's as a minimum
06:48 - RCD's offer additions protection
07:14 - Dual RCD boards why 2 RCD's
07:39 - Selectivity explained
09:57 - Circuits to be protected by RCBO's
10:28 - Different sizes of MCB's
10:53 - Different types of MCB's and inrush currents
11:38 - Labelling of conductors in a consumer unit (fuse box)
12:45 - MCB's used as blank ways in a consumer unit
13:43 - Size order of MCB's
13:28 - Domestic SPD's
17:53 - Summary of learning
Videos are training aids for City and Guilds (C and G) and EAL courses Level 1, 2, 3 plus AM2, AM2S and AM2E.
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#GSHElectrical #Electricaltrainingvideos #consumerunit #fusebox
As a responsible Handyman I watch all your videos for information to pass onto my clients, also to deter them from attempting electrical work themselves, I like to stay up to date with regs but know my limitations, thank for the videos.
good man. i'm a fairly enthusiastic DIYer and i've worked in construction on and off over the years, but there are two things i never fuck with: electricity and plumbing. both of them should always be left to professionals, imo
OHH that's a lovely board, well terminated and identified. Next step add some of those heat marker tags.
I’m not a sparkie but I’ve always wondered what was inside the consumer unit ! People should watch this next time they moan about having to pay an electrician to do work .... very skilled work. Great video chaps ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks for the positive comment Gaz 👍
Just about to start an electrcians course and this is pretty easy to follow. Your students seem pretty lucky to have you as a tutor. Thanks!
Good luck with your studies and I hope my videos will help you in some small way. If you can share the channel with other learners that would be fantastic. All the best. Gaz 👍
This is so brilliant description of a cu..well done for sharing and educating us.
Nothing short of perfect explanation. Fantastic.
Thanks 👍
This was a great help with some work training I am doing, awesome video. Thanks :)
Great vid. I enjoyed watching that. Well done.
Not an Electrician but used to be a Wireman, My OCD loves the idea of labelling all of the L,N,G cables up so you can see which one associates with what one.
Nice one Gaz and Joe, brilliant explanation. 👍
Thanks for the support Gaz and Joe 👍
Thanks for sharing it with us. I appreciate it
Informative & well presented 👍
Many thanks for that 👍Gaz
Great vid 👍🏼
very good video thank you for your effort and explanations
Very good video. Easy to understand and clearly explained
Thanks 👍
What an insightful video, i really learnt alot
Well explained, from some one who has been in the game since 1975!
Sure your training must be out dated at thos stage
This really helpful for property owner, I can say an update RCD is needed
Nice presentation. :) installing a spare breaker instead of a blank is a nice touch and is something I have started doing. The thing I like about Mr Wichard is he is always thinking about the next guy/lass that may work on the system. :)
very helpful especially for a starter like me. Thanks a lot !!
Thanks 👍🏻
Good video 👍
Great explanation. Thank you
Thanks
Another great video 👍🏼
Many thanks for the lovely comment 👍
Great videos as always. Thanks for passing the knowledge to others specially youngesters. One small suggestion . It will be a good practice ( safety wise)to tape around the cables that has been striped off and earth sleeving put on.
Tape is not a good idea, in warm weather it becomes sticky and comes off. A rubber sleeve is looks better and does not go sticky like tape.
THANK YOU. VERY MUCH FOR THIS amazing info
🙌🏻👍🏻
I wonder how you doing great things thank you
Thanks 👍
I think it's quite offensive to tar all Dodgy DIY Dave's with the same brush. In some cases, I've installed circuits to a higher and safer standard than a 'qualified' 'professional' electrician. Just because they're qualified, doesn't necessarily mean they are going to install your electrics to that standard. I had a sparky come round and they didn't have a clue yet they were a 'qualified' 'professional'
Totally concur there is a certain snobbery with a lot of youtube channels in the electrical area. SAfety should come first always but beyond that giving people the knowledge fairly will always help them make better choices in life than just beating them with a you don't have the right sticker so f off.. As that just leads to well f you back I'll just do it however then. And you will always get a % who just do whatever anyway.
Wish I could uptick a thousand times. Tbf, professionals doing domestic jobs at realistic price to them would have to allow for many hours of scrabbling around with difficult to reach cable runs, carving would, plaster, brick, cement while minding carpet, paintwork, etc. Nobody could afford it. As DiYer, I can take my time and do so. So I install boxes and conduit with strings in if it's a job that requires a pro to feed the cable so they can register it. But all professionals say "Electrician's dream!" then still work fast and cut corners even when I say I'll pay more for more careful work. I have met a diligent sparky and hope he's available for my next project to bring all my electrics up to 2022 full spec in case I have another heart attack and leave wife with an out of date system
Yes it has been helpful
Hello Nice channel keep up the good work.
Excellent explanation and comprehensive, I'm no sparky but it would have been nice to know the thickness of the cables, in particular the rcd cables. Thoroughly enjoyed it, so I've signed up👏👏
Thanks
I would have seen the spare fuse ways and split the rings into two radials and run them through 20amp MCBs. so that the 2.5mm cable is within maximum tolerance .
Best to test the RDC's sometime in the day when the system is not under load.
Brilliant
👍🏻
Thanks
Hi great videos, just on your second RCD which is rated at 80A you have connected 40A + 32A + 32A + 16A + 6A which is already over the rated Amps of the RCD.
Thanks!
Massive thanks Brooke Barnes 👍🏻. Gaz
Do you have more info on the surge protectors? Typical schematic and the standard they have to meet? I design lighting products to meet EN61000-4-5. Interested if these meet much higher test voltages ( eg 6kV) and if they have VDR's, gas discharge tubes fitted and auto switch off when a dangerous surge occurs.
Great presentation and learning, I am not trained Electrician however good watch for safety in domestic environment. When testing RCD,s 6 monthly, how does that work? does it trip all the associated fuses plus RCD? What is the best practice? I have B40 directly to my Under Floor Heating via a 45A double pole switch and to the Thermostat. Currently faulting to a blown Thermostat as it is not displaying at all after loss of power in the area. Can you suggest before act on it.
Great videos very informative and current in today’s climate making electrical learning fun also. At some stage soon I will be doing an am2 is it possible you can do training vid to help for it ?
Thanks and good luck Gaz 👍
Good lesson!
surge protection if something I'd like fitted if it helps protect my expensive electronics from blowing.
Thank You Guys for the video. do you have a video showing the different styles of Consumer Units? We have Surface and Flush Styles here in the US, in the UK, I seem to see a lot of surface mount styles... Is The Flush style common in the UK at all?
kzhead.info/sun/n8ZqoZdshGRnmGw/bejne.html kzhead.info/sun/ZJWLfK5le6armo0/bejne.html Thanks for the message maybe these will help 👍
I'm sure the spare space in the board is a requirement in part P?
This is really helpful. I am also looking to understand how to determine when a radial or ring type circuit should be used for sockets? Thanks
A radial circuit is used for lighting and a ring circuit is for sockets
@@aaqibkhan2862 in UK. And a cooker might be a radial circuit since it has a single appliance one cable
Great Video. You specify Turning OFF of CU, but not Turning ON, would Turn ON. Also you introduce SPD, where would SPD go into the CU, should befirst device to capture surge from Lightning? so before or after the Isolator? Is it better to replace the Isolator with an MCB double pole so can switch OFF in LIfe Mode?
Interesting that you (and many others) so emphasise a need to switch OFF with no load. That seems to be contradicted by the device rating of AC22A. (Switching of mixed resistive and inductive loads, including moderate overloads IEC60947-3) If it really did expect no-load use, it would be rated AC-20 (Connecting and disconnecting under no-load conditions IEC60947-3) Or am I missing something?
Nice vide guys, could you do a presentation on regulations 536.4.3.2 and 536.4.202 on the selection of switch gear and RCDS, in that we can't just use diversity alone.
Very good video as it clearly talks through step by step and easy to understand. Only question is,.... How can you tell the wire comming in to the box operates what?
Labels mark underneath.
How do you connect a sub-panel from the main consumer unit?
I have a question Gary, I'm a Maintenance Engineer for an privately owned apartment block, with about 100 apartments, would this be my responsibility to test the RCD, or for the tenant to do?
how much electrician will charge to setup a circuit board with 20-22 outlets and connecting to a live and neutral wire?
How does the live reach the breakers from the RCDs
5:56 isn't it forbidden to disconnect neutral conductor?
Looking for some advice, I have 3 appliances each allegedly consuming 3050 at maximum capacity, but the wires and my main feed to the consumer unit is getting so hot. I deliberately upgraded my consumer unit so it could handle these appliances. I installed the outlet (Specifically for these appliances) using Prysmian 10mm2 twin and earth, wired to a 50-amp breaker, then installed ANOTHER Prysmian 10mm2 twin and earth, wired to a another 50-amp breaker so there are now 2, one for two lower end of the consumer unit and the other for the higher end. Furthermore, I also have two BG 80A 30mA 2 Residual current device (RCD) installed on the consumer unit and the main feed that powers the consumer unit has a fuse of 100amps. These appliances are in a container where I linked each outlet to one another so they can draw power from the first one (again, each has its own 50-amp breaker at the opposing side of the consumer unit, one for the upper side and one for the lower side), not sure if that is causing resistance as I even have the powercables with 13amp fuses to power those appliances, but since there is a 50amp breaker for each outlet, I’m still confused.
32Amp for 10mmp in the long run...
👍👍👍👍👍😊
Test the RCD’s then reset the time on everything inc 3 tv’s, heating, and everything else. Don’t think so
Too good
👍
Can an SPD be fitted to older units to protect the entire unit? Would this knock out the power being as the unit is not resettable?
You can fit one in the tails along with a double pole switch for isolation 👍.
What are the odds of finding a board in a real installation that's this neat and with everything nicely labelled?
Hopefully if you do I may have taught them 😁👍. Thanks for commenting and watching Gaz
Very high.
Not a electrician but I have noticed that in my garage some of the sockets when tested show that on a double socket one side will read that its wired correct and then the other will read live and neutral reversed ? Any one know why this is the case if the back of the socket is wired correct ?
Hi😅 o got led here for a different reason but wow I’m learning 💫 can someone kindly tell me which switch is for the fire alarm - I’m looking to replace battery due to beeping low battery
Hi There Might you be able to do a video showing how to connect an EMPORIA ENERGY Gen 2 Emporia Vue Smart Home Energy Monitor to a UK Consumer unit ? Regards Paul
Did you film when you went back to install the lights and sockets?
What does RCBO stand for, and what is 'inrush current'?
In one of your previous videos you showed labelling each live, neutral and CPC so each circuit could be identified for troubleshooting purposes. I take it that isn't a mandatory requirement as I didn't notice any labelling in this video?. Kind regards.
No currently just best practice 🦾👍. Thanks for commenting. Gaz
I have 16 circuit breakers, three are in use.
I have had two very expensive pieces of hifi damaged by a lack of surge protection (SPD). It's worth fitting in your own home if changing your consumer unit
Do you always have to do a closed loop wiring with the English system? I once heard that from an English electrician.
How to Test a Ring Final Circuit - Ring Main or Socket Circuit - Ring Continuity & Polarity Tests kzhead.info/sun/iMmsiayOqox6YH0/bejne.html
I have mid 1930s semi original house upstairs lights and ring, downstairs same. Loft extension l & r. Side extension l&r. Kitchen extension l&r. Oven. Hob. Spare for second oven. Staircases lighting. Boiler. Smoke detectors via 3CE smoke resistant. Shed with CU and l&r. Outside and void under house lights. Outside and void ring. 2 CUs with mcbs in 3 subsections. Arranged to cater for or other switched off. Almost all cable in conduit into boxes. Access panels in relevant places on walls and floors. Done in 2013 to 2015 so to those regs. Want separate feeds to each of kitchen appliances, possible car charger, security with new CU to latest regs.
We have lightening surge protectors in our system here in France.
why in UK you don t use an OVR protection?
How does it typically take to get qualified as an electrician?
Great video gaz
Thanks Matt 👍
nice video im planning to study electrician i always watch your video... Can i ask question,, in my country GFCIis using may i know the difference of GFCI to RCD i read that GFCI has same function as RCD but i am not sure if there is a little difference.. I also planning to buy rcd tester. can it be use to test GFCI and same process.. Can you recommend a rcd or gfci tester.. or if there is combination of insulation and rcd tester,, thanks and more power...
Hi thanks for watching and supporting the channel. We use the Megger MFT testers at Tresham College but other brands of tester are available 👍. Thanks again Gaz 😁
@@GSHElectrical Thanks for the reply ..Is GFCI circuit breaker the same as RCD. and can I use RCD tester to GFCI circuit.. I am not sure how it is like.. I plan to buy RCD tester but I want to make sure it can also be use in GFCI circuit. Thanks
Best practice & the shower mcb 40A is almost last on the busbar ? Why not have it up front ?? (From a dibbling diyer 🙄)
It is the first on the busbar of the second RCD. Each RCD has its own busbar.
@@cjmillsnun thanks for the reply.... I thought the busbar just ran the full length of the CU... 🙄😂 Edit....Just runnin it through me head... a common busbar would tie the 2 RCDs together in parallel...not what we want... 😏 Also... if a SPD was installed I assume you would have to go with RCBOs (or get a longer CU) ....?
is there an updated version of this video content?
We have A and AC RCD here. MCB have both live and neutral through them.
Think you should stick to photography.
@@tresslerj1985 That's what I do John, although I did build my own 5 bedroom house here in France and did all the electrics which passed the rigorous inspection first time. used to do electronics as a hobby when I was a lad. Used to be an aerospace engineer in the UK before I retired.
what's the size of the incoming cables into the 100A mains switch?
In this case 25mm2 👍
I'm a spark but not domestic. I've always wondered why the main switch is usually on the far right. It would seem natural to have it on the left, then the first rcd next to it and run left to right?
It depends on the brand. A lot of Crabtree units have the isolation switch on the left.
It isn't. Sometimes left, sometimes rigjt
Do you put 32 amps trough 2.5 mm copper??.?
No. 👍
GSH Electrical okey diffident over 2 wires? Sorry. Still learning about English electric
@@antonfloor344 typical to see 20A radial.
In the uk we can have ring circuits or ring finals. They allow us to do crazy or cleaver stuff with 2,5mm cable for our socket circuits. It was invented back when copper was in short supply. However it’s so flexible we carry on using it. It is a pain to test though.
Why don't you bond earth to nuetral in this type of board?
As an electrical student, I fully agree that consumer units should only be worked upon by an electrician as there’s so many things that can go wrong. “balancing” your consumer unit is incredibly important. Please use a qualified electrician for all your consumer unit needs.
Still a lot off cowboys getting through in the trade. Good video
@@ianfraser2009 wish I could uptick a hundred times
Is that two wires in 32amp breaker labeled 1/1? If yes explain pls.
Yes it’s a ring final circuit 👍🏻
Thanks. Excellent video bros 👍🏾💯
Hi! are thre links from earthlink to neutral bars?
No 👍
@@GSHElectrical my switchboard in Australia earth and neutral are linked. Can you explain why they did so. Thanks
I'm not a electrician, I think if you connected a earth lead to a neutral bar it would blow a fuse. Shocking. 😲 In the UK.
Still it’s weird that in the UK the neutral doesn’t go trough the circuit breaker and only the life very different in here in Holland and Germany
Hi. Our RCBO’s are double pole and have the line and neutral pass through them 👍😁. Thanks for commenting and watching Gaz
GSH Electrical it is actually rare for rcbos to be double pole switching. Obviously LandN need to go through them for the rcd sense, however most only switch off the Line. Regards a DIYer who shouldn’t know anything.
Do you talks from normal MCB or RCBO's? This both are two differnt devices. First "break" the line (live/hot) side, the null line go back normal. Second "break" both lines but have a normal MCB and "earth leakage circuit breaker" together inside. [Sorry english people for my bad english tech terms.]
What are Arssy dees ?
Great video, love your youtube channel! Q; Do you have a video on diversity of the circuits? Thanks
Gusman hi thanks for the positive feedback... sadly not at the moment 👍
The rcd is rated at 80A yet the circuits off that exceed that, cam you explain?
Charlie Good question... answer diversity 👍
It's unlikely you will ever see every MCB / circuit under full load. If you did then that might cause an issue. :) What I was interested to hear in this video was then liking the idea of filling all the slots on the board. In my mind I'd rather have a gap to allow heat dissipation but then again I'm not a sparky or a supplier just someone who likes to learn about everything.
Hi Gaz installing a 10mA RCD on a TT install does it need a plastic enclosure or a metal enclosure cheers :)
im not gaz, but it is just metal enclosure in the regulations.
I assume you mean 100mA
Electrician... somebody of competence. That's the problem. As a DiYer, I'd never do more than switch off circuit breakers at consumer unit. But, as I've mentioned elsewhere, the problem is finding a diligent professional. They all might be registered as competent. That does not mean they apply that registered competence in a diligent pride in work way after getting registered
Having upstairs lights on one section and downstairs on the other etc is obvious common sense and what I asked for our rewire. Electricians said not necessary. I insisted but they still messed up in two out of 18 circuits.
Where do you get the circuit number clips from 👍
You can get them from ANY electrical wholesaler or from RS online.
Hi, How would you go about labelling up sockets that are in a commercial property. I have noticed are sparks never put any labels on any sockets which makes fault finding hard for whoever would have to find a fault. I’m pretty sure it’s something like DB1 (DB board number) then 1 (breaker number) and then L1, 2, or 3 (phase number) for an end result of DB1/1-L1 which would give the information of Board Number 1, Breaker 1, Phase 1. Is this correct? We do have multiple boards, some 3 phase, and some single phase.
In comercial properties and education normal practice to write in the back of the box during 1st fix. If not consult your as installed drawings in your building operation manual.
Is that a mimicked installation per chance?
Hi, YES 👍
Hi, look at the incoming supply tails/cables on the top right, just on the outside of the consumer unit. They are cut.
Whoosh ;)
What would 20 amp breaker protect
Just wondering if anyone has heard of New Trades Career, formally known as green 360 ltd I think, they offer courses based around distance learning and then u go into practical centres after completion of certain modules , they are supposed to allow you to study whilst working full time , has anyone heard of them or got qualified doing so ? Many thanks !!
Hi. I always worry about course like the one stated. Thanks for the message Gaz 👍
@@GSHElectrical Hi. Thanks for the reply , may I ask why? Are they not legitimate? or do they just give you a qualification without the necessary skills to be able to work in the industry? Really enjoy all your videos by the way 👍
Brown and Blue was a poor choice by who ever thought that up. In AU, we use Black for Neutral and Red for Active.
Almost the same in the states
I think it's a little bit different. 😲
Would love to be a student at your college but Manchester is a bit far from you lol, plus I couldn't afford the course as I'm now 54 I couldn't justify it either lol love watching the videos though guys. I was chatting with a spark some time back asking what his understanding of what is permitted V none permitted work? And he stated that if existing wire is in and all you are doing is running upgraded wire changing damaged wire or installing sockets etc this theoretically would be classed as permitted? And any new circuit would be none permitted? What are your thoughts and maybe a comprehensive video on permitted and none permitted work would be useful. Cheers again guys. Have you guys thought of moving this to paid videos to deter the less competent as I'm sure it's not just sparks and students watching. If you get my meaning? I'd be more than happy to do paid subscription, as am sure others would. And it would generate revenue for the college. Just my thoughts
@johnny 71c I'm personally don't want them to charge however the content provided can be used by less than competent individuals BANG! You get me? They are the type that would be discouraged from viewing if it was paid content. Btw you are correct I'm not a spark however I was a sparks mate many years ago and have done many rewires and repairs and am I feel more than capable of undertaking electrical work i was involved in the building trade for some time working on sites before life issues forced a change, and aren't we all students of life 😎? As for students loosing out if there was paid content. How do you come to that conclusion? If they are students then that says to me they are at college and learning on the job so I'd assume that they would be taught this so watching these videos just effectively gives them added information. And paying a small fee to access that information should they want it I feel is value. The guys clearly state what should be done by a competent person however who states who's competent? Ive known many incompetent trades people and ideas of what is permitted and not permitted varies vastly depending on who you talk to so I also ask that question as I'm interested in their views as teachers to that trade. Hope that clears stuff up?
If you apply to your local council you can do anything electrically. Being registered means your scheme does the notification for you. Edit: it's costs about £125 and if the BCO didn't like what you did he will ask for remedial. Also your insurance might have bad news if you had an Electrical fire. All in all get a Registered insured spark to do complex work.
@@tresslerj1985 cheers for the info
For those who are hard of hearing, could you please turn on closed caption?
I have added and edition the subtitles for this video - sadly this is not the case for all my videos but I am working on the more popular ones. Hope this helps Gaz