is a metal consumer unit required for certificate?
I own a rented property. The property has a plastic consumer unit 3 years old by the front door. Do I have to replace it with a metal one to obtain an electrical certificate for the 18th edition law legislation
14 Answers
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Hi no you are under no obligation to change the fuse box unless the old plastic one is damaged or unsafe this would be up to the electrician to prove that the consumer unit is unsafe and give reasoning for charging them this advice was given to me from the Niceic when I asked the question when the laws and regs changed
Thanks Sean
Thanks Sean
20th Aug 2020
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+ 135
Strides electrical
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No as it was already installed before reg change. It will go down on the cert as an advisory.
17th Jul 2020
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I hear this question a lot, In all honesty it depends on who does the testing, a reasonable electrician will not fail your installation for this. It is in my view that when installed the consumer unit you currently have was installed to the regulations at the time, and it should be coded as improvement recommended. If everything else is in safe working order within the property, they have no right to fail your installation for a plastic consumer unit.
Regards,
James.
Regards,
James.
22nd Jul 2020
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ESE Electrical Solutions
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No you don’t need to change it.
3rd Oct 2020
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Bright Spark Electrics
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
No that is not true unless your plastic consumer unit is in a wooden enclosure, under stairs or under an escape route
11th Jun 2021
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No, you do not. I would advise it but on an EICR it would only be marked as a C3 if it was under wooden stairs or at the point of the only means of exit. Hope that helps! It’s actually been in since amendment 3 of the 17th too.
17th Dec 2020
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There is no backward compatibility requirement to install a metal consumer unit. If the Electrician deems that the consumer unit is safe during an EICR then this is sufficient, the law states that any "New Installation" as of 1st Jan 2016 should have a metal consumer unit.
The only thought I would have is that if the board is only 3 years old, was this replaced or new in 2017 as the above should have applied.
Hope this helps
The only thought I would have is that if the board is only 3 years old, was this replaced or new in 2017 as the above should have applied.
Hope this helps
21st Feb 2021
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Electrician
0 Reviews
Yes for a certificate indeed new regulations
11th Jun 2021
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Voltage Contractors Ltd
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Depending on condition of the consumer unit? If its a combustible type consumer unit and all is well with switch gear and no thermal damage then a code 3 which is only a recommendation is usually put on the E.I.C.R. certificate.
9th Feb 2022
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Sing electrcials
0 Reviews
Yes, you have to replace with metal one to obtain an electrical certificate
16th Mar 2023
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Skylark Electrical
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The legislation does not state things have to but upgraded… however, if it is damaged in anyway it is unlikely to pass. Plastic ones are flimsy, so easily broken.
8th Nov 2023
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+ 21
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