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Thoughts on replacing switched fuse with small consumer unit

Alan B

I need to take a garage feed from the meter box in the picture below to enable installation of an EV charger. as consume unit is in the middle of the house and far from easy to get a cable in to it.

My initial plan has been to use an external IP rated consumer unit connected by henley blocks to the output of the main isolator.

Then I have been thinking that looking at the real estate taken by the current switched fuse (protecting cable run through house) and the Henley block I need it's basically the same size as a small garage consumer unit, probably more untidy. 

I know the DNO's frown on consumer units in the meter cupboard but given the switched fuse and henley blocks would have to be there anyway and I think there is a reasonable argument for a small consumer unit being a neater and in some ways more space efficient solution.

I would mount the new CU on spacers so that the meter tails could run underneath to the isolator above and maybe move the isolator up a bit, SWA garage feed would come up from the bottom.

The alternative would be to move the isolator up, squeeze a Henley block between it and the switched fuse.

Does this sound like  reasonable engineering judgement, anything I am missing?

Thanks

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  • 0

    Regards meter box installation, definitely needs a cavity tray to direct any water, and there will be some, that runs down the back of the face brickwork out.

    But a lintel is not required.

    nhbc-standards.co.uk/.../

  • 0 in reply to Sparkingchip

    That's not quite the way that I interpret it.

    8.1.9 Meters

    Openings in walls for meter cabinets shall be structurally adequate and prevent dampness entering the home.

    Openings set into external walls should be provided with:

    • DPCs and cavity trays
    • lintels (except for purpose-designed built-in meter boxes).

    I doubt that the purpose-designed boxes are designed to sit side by side with no support between them, but of course, I may be wrong.

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  • 0 in reply to Sparkingchip

    That's not quite the way that I interpret it.

    8.1.9 Meters

    Openings in walls for meter cabinets shall be structurally adequate and prevent dampness entering the home.

    Openings set into external walls should be provided with:

    • DPCs and cavity trays
    • lintels (except for purpose-designed built-in meter boxes).

    I doubt that the purpose-designed boxes are designed to sit side by side with no support between them, but of course, I may be wrong.

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