What You Need to Check in a Consumer Unit as a Home Owner

It’s a given must that a consumer unit has to be inspected after every 10 years. This can make homeowners oblivious of the fact that they need to conduct basic checks on their consumer unit to ensure they are working efficiently. These basic checks will help you to notice problems that you can fix there and then.

If you’re leasing out a property, then it’s imperative to have the consumer unit inspected after every five years or after a new tenant occupies the place. It will help you know particular issues that can cause problems to an ongoing installation. But even so, homeowners should conduct their regular checks on their consumer units.

Checking the RCDs

After every six months, it’s imperative to check your RCDs. RCDs are vital components that provide safety. There are labels on your consumer unit that has indicated how you’re going to test your RCDs and when to do it.

You’ll press down the button T that symbolizes Test. The consumer unit box will then switch off when the button T is pressed. You’ll then restore the fuse box by resetting the switch. There’s a problem if you find that the consumer unit does not switch off when the button T is pressed. Call an electrician for advise.

The Consumer Unit

The fuse box must have a minimum of IP rating to prevent combustible or conductive materials from falling into it and prevent an individual from touching live parts. If it happens that you’re able to fit your finger into it, then the fuse box must not be following the IET wiring regulations. Something that has to be corrected immediately.

At this point, it’s only safe to get rid of the fuse box and get one that is compliant with the wiring regulations. Go for a fuse box that will fit cables entries to protect it from fire. A good place to buy a consumer unit that is up-to-date regarding regulation is at Electrical Discounted Supplies.

Cables

The cables from the fuse box must be protected from abrasion. There shouldn’t be any chances of contact with sharp objects. You can secure these cables with a rubber grommet to evade sharp objects in the consumer unit becoming in contact with cables.

Cables usually have sheath protection inner and outer cores for maximum protection. The inner cores must not be visible for whatever reason. The cables must also be supported to avoid mechanical straining. If there are strained, they can become loose and cause fire, something you don’t want.

To Conclude

These simple checks will put you in a better position to rectify any problem before it becomes dire and cause costly damage. If you’re in need of new metal enclosures, or a brand new consumer unit box, then outsourcing from reputed Electrical Discounted Supplies is the way to go. All our products are updated with the set wiring regulations and are pretty affordable.