Consumer Units

As adults, we are used to the general advice regarding using electricity and electrical devices, but with children, it is not the same; all parents need to know the advice and rules regarding how to keep their children safe from electricity. We were reading these simple rules and instructions via, Electrical Safety First, the other day, and we thought our customers and visitors would benefit if we would post them on our website also. Advice for Parents: Why and How to Keep Children Safe from ElectricityOnce a child arrives in a family, many preparations need to be made. Baby-proofing the house is absolutely necessary, and in the same way, keeping our children safe from electricity is vitally necessary also. Yes, it is a stressful time for parents in preparation for the arrival of a first child, but the matter of keeping children safe from electricity cannot be ignored. Many parents carry out electrical DIY in the home as part of preparing for the child's arrival or in monitoring and taking care of the little ones. However, without the necessary safety precautions, as children grow they can be exposed to all kinds of hazards. It is good to know what constitutes a hazard and what is a risk, especially with children, and it is important to keep children safe from electricity. You don't want your precious child to be brought in to the hospital with electrical burns or to suffer as a result of interacting with electricity. The fact is that we as adults have a certain knowledge and awareness of the danger of electricity and our interaction with it, but the children have no idea about this; rather, they are quite curious and touch things, put things in their mouths, and need to be told what is safe and what is not safe. And this needs to happen again and again, as all parents know.How to Keep Children Safe around Electricity - Simple GuideNow that we know why we need to keep children safe around electricity, let us look at some of the simple rules related to how can we keep them safe at home and in the garden when it comes to electricity and electrical devices and accessories.Buy Forbes and Lomax USB sockets Here is a simple guide on how to keep children safe around electricity. 1. Keep the electrical cords and leads for electrical appliances away from the children, out of their reach. Especially the cords connected to hot items such as kettles, irons, hair straighteners, hairdryers, etc need to be away from their reach. Children tend to take things and play with them, and often things end up in their mouths. We need to keep away any cords and leads from the children. Even the charging cable for our phone, our laptop, or our camera or tablet - has to be put safely away, not let loose and visible, and when not in use, it has to be turned off. 2. Do not leave appliances or chargers cord plugged in when not in use. We are so used to leaving the phone charging cable lying there after we disconnect the phone, and we may leave the laptop cable also lying there. This is a hazard not only to the children but also to us, for it is easy to tangle them, step on them, pull them accidentally, and in the case of children, put them in their mouth. 3. Do not leave appliances running during the night or when you are out. Appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers need to be turned off and even unplugged during the night and when we are out. If we don't have an RCD in our fusebox, it is recommended to use a plug-in RCD for these items. When we don't use appliances, we should turn them off.4. Water and Electricity cannot mix!After taking a shower or a bath, children need to be thoroughly dried before they go playing, especially when they may play near electrical things such as games consoles, etc. Parents need to be aware of this. Water and electricity can be deadly. After the children play in the paddling pool, they need to be dried up before they go into the house where there are plugs, sockets, and switches. 5. Keep liquids away from electrical devices. Though it is so convenient to take our tea, water, or any other beverage with us when we sit at home, we need to be aware that water and electricity can be deadly. We need to keep away drinks from things such as TVs, DVD players, stereos, speakers, computers, laptops, tablets, games consoles, and anything else electrical. This is a rule not just for the little ones but also for adults. 6. Use RCD protection for sockets and electrical appliances. Do not rely on socket blanking plugs to keep your children safe. Regular socket outlets in the UK are generally safe, and socket covers will not prevent electric shock if the installation is not safe. The only way to be safe from a fatal electric shock and reduce the risk of fire is RCD protection either in the fusebox (the consumer unit) or as a plug-in.7. Beware of potential electrical hazards in the garden. Electrical items such as lawnmowers and hedge trimmers are dangerous for us and for children, so children need to be at a safe distance. Also, it is possible that such electrical tools would cut through their own electric cables, causing the risk of electric shock. Parents need to be vigilant at all times, especially when young children are nearby. When working with electrical equipment in the garden, it is recommended to use RCD protection. Buy RCD-protected sockets at SparksWhat about Socket Blanking Plugs? Many first-time parents rush to baby-proof the house by buying and installing socket blanking plugs. However, though this is a good precaution to take, we need to realize that in the UK normal household sockets are not considered as a serious risk to children. They have built-in safety shutters to prevent access to the live parts inside. If you want additional peace of mind, it is understandable if you want to use such blanking plugs for the sockets - it is your choice. Either way, whether you have such plugs or not, you need to let the children know not to touch the socket, and you need to be vigilant when they are playing around a socket, making sure the safety switches are off. ConclusionThe full guide from Electrical Safety First regarding, Parents - keep your children safe from electricity - can be found on their website. On our website we offer a wide range of Consumer Units (see the Hager domestic fuseboxes) and RCD protection for home and commercial use. Furthermore, the sockets on our website are very safe and can be safely installed at home by using a registered electrician. For any further information regarding the safety of our electrical products, do not hesitate to contact us. 

Have you ever wondered what are electrical distribution boards? If so, you're in the right place! In this blog post, we'll define electrical distribution boards and explain how they work. We'll also discuss the differences between consumer units and distribution boards. By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of what electrical distribution boards are and why they're such an important part of any electrical installation. So let's get started!What Is An Electrical Distribution Board?An electrical distribution board is a crucial element of any electricity supply system. Its job is to take an incoming electrical power feed and split it into multiple secondary or subsidiary circuits. A distribution board is more than just a box; it is a complete system with neutral linkages, an earth leakage device, and interconnecting cables, all designed to ensure safe and efficient electrical distribution in your home or building. The primary cable enters the distribution board and is then routed to secondary circuits such as lights and plugs through breakers. Most of the time, each of these secondary circuits will be protected by a fuse or breaker. This helps to prevent overloading and circuit damage. Consumer Unit Vs Distribution Boards (What's The Difference?)When it comes to the electrical wiring, there are a few different terms that you might come across. Two of these terms are consumer units and distribution boards. But what exactly is the difference between the two?The two types of panelboards most often found in buildings in the UK are consumer units and distribution boards. You will usually recognise consumer units as metal or plastic enclosures, containing various fuses and breaker switches. These can be used to isolate the incoming mains electricity supply to specific building areas. In this sense, a consumer unit is simply a distribution board that has been approved as a suitable and safe electric panel design for domestic use. Distribution boards are typically used in industrial settings where there is a higher volume and variety of electrical equipment in use. So, what's the difference between these two types of panelboards? Consumer units are designed to easily isolate specific areas in a domestic or residential building, while distribution boards are designed for high volumes of electrical equipment, such as larger flat buildings, factories, workshops, retail, etc. While both types of panelboards are essential for managing electricity in buildings, they serve different purposes. If you are looking for a consumer unit for your home we’d recommend seeking the advice of a professional as there are multiple factors they will need to take into account.Buy Hager Domestic Consumer UnitsTypes Of Distribution BoardsConsumer unit distribution boards are primarily divided into three types namely main switch, dual RCD and high integrity consumer units. But how do you know if you need one and which type is best for your needs? These are some of the questions we'll explore in this post as we take a closer look at distribution boards.1. Main Switch Distribution BoardA main switch consumer unit is a type of consumer unit distribution board that is considered to be one of the safest and most robust protective devices for incoming mains power. All circuits are fully separated, and each is independently protected from earth leakage via RCBOs (residual current breaker with overcurrent protection). This makes the main switch consumer unit an ideal choice for those who want the highest level of safety for their home or office.2. Dual RCD Distribution BoardA dual RCD consumer unit is a type of distribution board that offers two Residual Current Device (RCD) breakers. These breakers offer protection against overheating, electrical fires, or accidentally touching a live wire. As the name suggests, a dual RCD consumer unit has two circuit banks which are each protected by one of the RCD breakers. This makes the overall unit more protective than other models on the market and thus a more popular choice for many consumers. If you are looking for a reliable and effective way to protect your home from electrical hazards, then a dual RCD consumer unit may be the perfect solution for you.Buy Hager Dual Row 20+20 Way Consumer Unit3. High Integrity Distribution BoardA high-integrity consumer unit is a type of consumer unit distribution board that is more common in larger buildings where more sub-circuits branch off from the incoming mains supply. They generally have dual RCD protection with additional RCBOs that can be added based on the specific configuration needed. High-integrity consumer units help to protect against electrical hazards by tripping the current when it detects a sudden increase or drop. This helps to prevent fires and electrocutions by stopping the flow of electricity before it becomes dangerous. In addition, high-integrity consumer units are often equipped with emergency stop buttons that can be used to shut off power in the event of an emergency. Overall, high-integrity consumer units are a vital part of any electrical system in a large building. They provide an extra layer of safety and protection against potential hazards, making them an essential component of any property.4. Sub Distribution BoardsThere are various types of electrical panel boards and sub-distribution boards in widespread use. The best electrical distribution board for you will depend on a number of factors, including compliance with codes and requirements, operating conditions, accessibility, and more.For example, Type A and Type B distribution boards have different busbar layouts. This can be important when deciding which board to use in a particular setting. Additionally, both of these boards are compatible with different overcurrent protective devices (OCPD). It's important to consider all of these factors when choosing the right board for your needs.ConclusionElectrical distribution boards, or consumer units as they are more commonly known, come in all shapes and sizes. The best electrical distribution board for your home will depend on the type of property you have and how much power you need. At Sparks Direct, we have a wide range of boards to suit every application, so contact us if you need help finding the right one for your needs. We also offer a collection of the best electrical boards available on the market today, so you can be sure that your home is safe and protected at all times.

On our website, we have a wide range of Consumer Units both for domestic and for commercial/industrial use. Usually, normal people buy them only once in their lifetime, unless the electrician or landlord does it for them, and then they never have to think about the fusebox (unless there's some problem with the electricity). If you come in our showroom in Archway our consultants will help you find out what's the best consumer unit for your needs. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning the domestic/industrial consumer units. 1. What is a Consumer Unit? A consumer unit, also called a fusebox or distribution board, is a vital component of the electrical supply system in a house, dividing the electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits while at the same time providing protection and circuit breakers for each of the circuits. The consumer units are also sometimes called: circuit breaker panel, electrical panel, fuse board, breaker box, panelboard, breaker panel, power breaker, distribution board, service panel, and similar names. In simple terms, a fusebox is there to help prevent electrical fires or electrocution. 2. What is a Fusebox Composed Of? A fusebox (consumer unit) is composed of the main switch, the fuses and/or circuit breakers, and the RCDs (Residual Current Devices). The main switch allows you to turn off / on the electricity supply to your home. The RCDs are switches tripping a circuit under dangerous conditions, switching it off and disconnecting the electricity in such cases. The circuit breakers are automatic protection devices that switch off a circuit if they detect a fault; they are similar to the fuses but give more precise protection. The fuses have a piece of special fuse wire running between two screws - when a fault or overload current flows through the fuse wire, it becomes hot and melts, breaking the faulty circuit and keeping you safe. 3. What's the Best Deal for a Fusebox that You Have? This is usually the first question people ask us. What's the best deal you have for a fusebox? We get this question so many times that we already know the best consumer unit deal, even though the code is quite complicated: the Hager VC712C1 17th Edition Distribution Board, 12 way coming with 2 RCDs, main switch, 10 breakers include - all for £60 + VAT. This consumer unit is according to the latest regulations and specifications, and it sells like hot cakes, both online and offline! 4. What Size is the Consumer Unit? Size matters: the dimensions of a consumer unit need to be small since it needs to be mounted inside the wall, and in general the wall close to the entrance doesn't have much space to host large boxes. The best size, the general size of a domestic consumer unit, is 380mm width, 245mm height, and 105mm depth. Very small in size, yet including all the breakers and RCDs and switches you need for your electrical circuit! 5. Can I Install the Fusebox Myself? Many over-zealous and DYI customers ask us this, and the response is NO! The fusebox / the consumer unit needs to be installed by a registered and qualified electrician, who then also needs to inspect it periodically (read more about it here). Buy Consumer Units at Sparks