Consumer unit advice

[sipep]

Hi all.

I have been trying to get sorted with a consumer unit, soo much conflicting advice.

So I've established that double pole is a must.

Some kits come with a 6a and 10a MCB , however, it's suggested that the 10 should be changed for a 16a.


Do I really need two MCBs?

A caravan habitatation people has suggested this pre wired kit , with has the rcb and a single 16a MCB

Prewired Mains RCD Consumer Unit For Caravan Motorhome VW Campervan Boat BC17009 5060070215891 | eBay

Has earthing wire, plug and play connection to mains inlet (2000mm) and 4 socket option outlets. The plug and play socket option outlets are on a 16amp circuit and are 300mm in length. 100% Money Back.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Salty Spuds]

The 6A breaker will be for mains charger/possibly 12-240V fridge. The 10/16A will be for the sockets.

 

[sipep]

Another person told me that when using two cline plug sockets they should really have their own MCB each.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Another person told me that when using two cline plug sockets they should really have their own MCB each.

Cline?

 

[sipep]

Cline?

Yes , well, CBE socket , they have no.on.off.switch

 

[Bargy62]

The 6A breaker will be for mains charger/possibly 12-240V fridge. The 10/16A will be for the sockets.

@sipep Exactly what I have
I have 3 240v sockets and I am careful what I plug in 2000w heater if the induction hob goes on off goes the heater but if both did go on it would probably trip the single 16amp mcb
If each socket had a 16amp mcb which could mean a kettle in one induction hob in another and a heater no mcb would trip as none of them are overloaded but the site EHU more than likely would trip
Just my thoughts as someone trying not to burn their van down

 

[sipep]

I guess you don't have a link to the consumer unit you brought?

 

[Salty Spuds]

Yes , well, CBE socket , they have no.on.off.switch

Ah! I would wire all the sockets from the same 16A MCB. As previously mentioned, this would stop you overloading the EHU. Also don't forget that the hookup cable will have a maximum rating of 16A due to the 16A rating of the plugs & sockets. It's unusual, especially abroad to find sites that actually give you 16A, most are 6A or even 3A. If you had each socket individually wired via a 16A breaker, you could very easily forget that the heater is on & the missus plugs her straighteners in & you put the kettle on. Before you know it, the breaker has tripped in the EHU post & if you're lucky, the box will be unlocked allowing you to reset it, or you have to go cap in hand to the campsite Kommandant.

 

[sipep]

Ah! I would wire all the sockets from the same 16A MCB. As previously mentioned, this would stop you overloading the EHU. Also don't forget that the hookup cable will have a maximum rating of 16A due to the 16A rating of the plugs & sockets. It's unusual, especially abroad to find sites that actually give you 16A, most are 6A or even 3A. If you had each socket individually wired via a 16A breaker, you could very easily forget that the heater is on & the missus plugs her straighteners in & you put the kettle on. Before you know it, the breaker has tripped in the EHU post & if you're lucky, the box will be unlocked allowing you to reset it, or you have to go cap in hand to the campsite Kommandant.

You would run all socket from one MCB?

 

[Salty Spuds]

You would run all socket from one MCB?

Yup

 

[Salty Spuds]

Yup

MCBs are there to protect cables not the appliances. The appliances are protected by the fuses in the plugs. MCBs should be sized according to the cable that it supplies.

 

[Jamestg]

Hi all, first post having bought a van for conversion. I’m after advice/recommendations for consumer unit for self build hook up.

Plan is to fit the socket itself under the bonnet and then the CU under the double passenger seat (no plans for a captain or swivel base). Will only be one feed in with no Inverter to consider.

From what I’ve read I need:

1x dual pole rcbo
2 x MCBs (one 16A for sockets, one 6A for battery charger)

Any advice on a reasonably sized CU and associated parts?

 

[roadtripper]

Have a look for pre populated garage consumer units as they will tend to be 4 module units with an RCD main switch and 2 MCBs one for sockets at 16A and one for lighting at 6A

As an example:

Metal Garage Unit 63A RCD (Type A) + 16A+6A MCBs

If you are tight on space then another option is the Wylex 4 module enclosure, you need to buy the devices on top of that

4 Module Insulated Enclosure IP65 c/w Din Rail | Wylex (WBE4)

 

[JumpShip]

I'm looking at doing all our electrics again with i think the wylex box cuz i prefer it aesthetically.

 

[MikeWillmott]

You don’t need one
Save the space and use an inline RCD on the EHU
Simples!

 

[JumpShip]

You don’t need one
Save the space and use an inline RCD on the EHU
Simples!

Do you have a link please ?

 

[MikeWillmott]

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1500422-ip65-non-latching-in-line-rcd?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADOkMAYTB7LZ8D743ke7NsjauanG9&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwae1BhC_ARIsAK4JfrzAHZtN7_zTjzcNEM03bvcGp3_wkHqTsxfZJCk3Uvw319h7EcRZnB8aAi0mEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also on Amazon!

 

[JumpShip]

Does this really do the job of a big consumer unit ?

 

[MikeWillmott]

Yep!
Exactly the same job!
Essentially it’s just your sockets you’re protecting and it’s no different from using an extension lead when you’re hoovering!
You can ground the sockets and your EHU socket to the chassis and you’re done!
Everything else is 12v and fused so completely separate.
Others may have a different opinion.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Does this really do the job of a big consumer unit ?

No it doesn’t & the advice is (imho) borderline dangerous. In this scenario you are relying on whatever MCB is in the EHU supply post to protect your internal wiring in the van. The “hoovering” analogy has a fundamental flaw, in an extension lead scenario, the fuse in the plug protects the extension lead. A standard 16A EHU plug doesn’t have a fuse & everything downstream relies on the supplying MCB for protection, this is an unknown quantity. It has been said many times, the protective device, be it an MCB/RCBO/fuse etc. is there to protect the cable attached to it & nothing else. Without an independent consumer unit in your van, all the mains wiring would have to be able to carry whatever current that the MCB (if any) is rated at in the EHU post, and on a campsite, this is an unknown quantity.