Note: Depending on what the circuit will be running will depend on what size MCB is installed. Again, your electrician will know exactly what MCB can be used for a given circuit. These rules exist for very good reasons as if it’s too long you are asking the circuit to use much more energy than it is designed for. More energy = more heat and when this happens, cables can very easily catch fire! Outdoor Appliances There are 4 main types of consumer unit setup found in UK homes today; The single load consumer unit, the split load consumer unit, the consumer unit with RCBO’s and the High Integrity Consumer Unit: Single Load Board Once the first MCB is connected up, the others are connected in the same way, ensuring that each is connected to the correct size of MCB for the item(s) it’s powering. Other helpful electrical projects that may be useful if you are looking into information on ring mains are as follows:

When it comes to matching an MCB to what is now the equivalent imperial rating, these are as follows:

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Read carefully all the cautions and instructions and follow them strictly while doing this tutorial or any other work in practical related to electrical works. This layout ensures that all areas are fully protected, including showers and cookers, but if one trips the second circuit should still be operational so you still have lights and power if needed. By now you should be totally familiar with exactly what a ring main or ring final circuit is and how it works. As a radial circuit should only ever be installed by a Part P registered electrician, you won’t be wiring one up yourself.

When it comes to a modern split consumer unit, the use of RCDs is necessary for 2 reasons to meet the wiring regulations. Note: As the earth wires are bare, once connected up it then needs some earth sheath slipping over it to signify that it’s the earth. Floor Area for a Ring Main or Final Ring CircuitStep 1 – Isolate Power: Before any work actually takes place, the very fist job is to isolate the power to the whole consumer unit so it can be worked on safely Scottish Islands:HS1-9, IV40-51, IV55-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA30, PA32-34, PA41-49, PA60-78, PH42-44, ZE1-3 The distribution board should not be installed 2.2 meter above the floor, must be protected from the corrosion and away from watery areas. All the wires should be covered in the panel board (i.e. it should not hang outside the panel). Finally, there must be a safety sign near the distribution board. Ring circuits are normally fed with a 30 or 32 amp fuse or MCB, but if feed is supplied through a 4mm cable then the spurs could also be feed with 30 or 32 amp fuse or MCB. The third and final circuit(s) basically sit next to the main switch and are comprised of individual RCBO’s that provide all the protection for the circuit they are supplying. These circuits are considered highly important and as they are individually protected and outside of the RCD circuits, won’t trip with the other circuits protected under them.

Never ever try to play with electricity (as it is dangerous and can be fatal) without proper guidance and care. Do the installation and repairing work in presence of experienced persons having vast knowledge and good practice who knows how to deal with electricity. First of all, switch off the main switch or related MCB breaker in the main distribution board or consumer unit and make sure the main supply is turned off.The author will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information or if you try any circuit in wrong format. So please! Be careful because it’s all about electricity and electricity is too dangerous. This consumer unit, like the RCBO version was mainly born out the nuisance tripping addition to the wiring regulations and in effect combines the best features of each of the other types of configuration. Similarly, connect the Phase or Live wire “L” (Brown color) to the live terminal of RCD. The output Live terminal of RCD should be bonded to other MCB’s via a common copper busbar segment terminal. Depending on the type of install will depend on what cables are used, you electrician will know exactly what to use. In this instance 16mm cables were used.

An information label near the consumer unit explains this. The resistor passes more current than that required for tripping, and the duration of the test is not limited, so testing in this way does not provide proof that the unit is working to specification. They can also feature 1 or even 2 RCD’s. The RCD, or residual current device is similar to an MCB in that if it senses an issue it will trip and isolate all the of the MCB’s/fuses below it. More on these below. There are some geographical areas that we are unable to offer next day delivery as standard, such as the Scottish Highlands. We are unable to guarantee next day delivery to the following post codes AB31, AB33-38, AB44-56, IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-88, PH17-26, PH30-44, PH49-50, TR21-25 and ZE. Firstly, MCB’s are clipped on to the DIN rail and positioned as required for the number of circuits that are being run from the consumer unit.This type of consumer unit layout has really emerged in recent years in response to the nuisance tripping addition to the wiring regulations. It essentially removes the use of RCD’s to create a split load board with RCBO’s (Residual Current Breaker with Over-Current) now taking their place.