Consumer Unit

At a glance..

This resource deals with the two main types of consumer unit found in the home today. The first one is a single load fuse board where the power coming in is taken through a double pole switch to a live buss bar. All of this is explained more thoroughly when we deal with the second type of unit, which is the split load unit.

The details..

The Consumer Unit is an essential component for any homeowner to understand. This book provides detailed information on its function and how it distributes electricity via fuses or miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) to various circuits throughout a house. The reader will learn about two main types of consumer units: single load fuse boards and split load units.

The first type, single load fuse board, takes power through a double pole switch to a live buss bar where each MCB clips onto DIN bars with cables connected to other sides of MCBs. The second type, split load unit incorporates an RCD as well as double pole switch for total safety purposes that cuts off if there's an earth fault detected within fractions of seconds.

It also discusses current ratings designated by Renard standards that replace imperial ratings used previously for MCBs. Additionally, this book outlines when RCD use is necessary such as protecting sockets supplying equipment outside homes like strimmers or lawn mowers; higher Amp rated appliances like showers or cookers may need them too.

Overall this guide offers valuable insight into understanding your home's electrical systems while providing practical advice on maintaining safe practices around electricity usage.