There does seem to be an idea that distribution boards need to be hidden away as an unsightly feature - you may have a set of steps, but does the customer - it makes a total  mockery of the 'try the RCD every 6 months' advice if it can only be done with an access platform.

I have recently done a job where the CU has been cut into the brick wall (yup,  disk cutter, dust extraction, mortar/render mix and plaster, lots of mess) so that the front cover is level with the plaster and just the little flap is protruding - it was a sod to do, and needed a fair bit of plastering in afterwards, but it now looks very nice and discrete at light switch height. Even the domestic authority approves. (and she will not even stand on a chair to change a light bulb)

Maybe makers should think about making their designs suitable for that sort of thing a bit more. A range of colours for the front panel may help, or make blank primed ones available so you can paint it yourself.

Mike.

mapj1 said:

Maybe makers should think about making their designs suitable for that sort of thing a bit more. A range of colours for the front panel may help, or make blank primed ones available so you can paint it yourself.

I am sure that you can paint over the existing paint; and didn't one of the manufacturers give an option of putting various designs on the door.

It's also in a corner.

Well there is a stopcock just above and to the right. And despite the insulation on the ceiling (flat roof above?),the plumbers saw fit to insulate the pipes against freezing.

Suggests to me that it is in garage, not within the thermal envelope of a house.

Also, it looks like the ceiling isn't finished. It might be that a false ceiling will be installed below the CU, to cover the pipes etc., With an access panel to enable devices to be reset, and turn off water.