Hager Consumer Units

You may have heard of Part P of the Building Regulations; in this article, we want to delve into what it covers, how it affects us, and what needs to be done in case of electrical wiring alterations at home. In 2005 the UK Government introduced electrical safety rules into the Building Regulations for England and Wales. According to these regulations, most fixed electrical installation work in homes must meet the Building Regulations (by law).Continue reading this guide to find out more about:What is Part P of the Building Regulations?What are the Special Locations covered by Part P?How to make sure Electrical Work Meets the Requirements of Part P?How does Part P of the Building Regulations affect Me?What To Do when Electrical Installation Work needs to be Carried out in My Home?Why use a Government-approved Part-P Electrician?Part P of the Building Regulations - Further information In particular, Part P of the Building Regulations states that anyone who carries out electrical installation work in a home has to make sure that this work is designed and installed to protect people from electric shocks and fire. For example, if you want to make any changes to an existing electrical installation, including any parts that have been rewired, all such works need to be done by a Part P-certified competent person. Then, in 2013 further changes were introduced, reducing the range of electrical installation work that is notifiable; these new regulations removed some requirements in the kitchen and outdoors. What is Part P of the Building Regulations?Part P of the Building Regulations makes sure that, in the design and installation of electrical installations in the home, people are protected when operating, maintaining, and altering the installations from fire and injury. In particular, in areas and zones in the bathroom, there has to be appropriate protection against mechanical and thermal damage, and the electrical installations and wiring need to be done in a safe way, so as not to present an electric shock or fire hazard to people. Part P of the Building Regulations in particular addresses electrical work and rewiring done in the bathroom, any addition or alteration to an existing circuit in a special location, the installation of a new circuit, and the replacement of a consumer unit; all these need to be done by a competent electrical person. What is non-notifiable is any other work such as additions or alterations to existing installations outside special locations, maintenance, replacement, and repair work. At Sparks we distribute a wide range of Hager Consumer Units (with the required RCDs, MCBs, and RCBOs) and BG Consumer units; these need to be installed by a registered electrician.What are the Special Locations covered by Part P?Here are the special locations covered by Part P of the Building Regulations A room that contains a bath or a showerThe space surrounding a bath tap or showerhead where the space extends vertically from the finished floor level to a height of 2.25 metres or the position of the showerhead where it is attached to a wall or ceiling at a height higher than 2.25 metres from that level or horizontally where there is a bathtub or shower tray, from the edge of the bathtub or shower tray to a distance of 0.6 metresWhere there is no bathtub or shower tray from the centre point of the showerhead where it is attached to the wall or ceiling to a distance of 1.2 metres,A room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.Furthermore, Part P of the Building Regulations applies to electrical installations in the following locations:A dwelling-house or a flat and parts of the installation that are outside the dwelling (fixed lighting and air conditioning units attached to outside walls, fixed lighting and pond pumps in the garden, etc), in outbuildings (such as sheds, detached garages, domestic greenhouses, etc). Common access areas of blocks of flats such as corridors and staircasesShared amenities of blocks and flats such as laundries, kitchens, and gymnasiumsBusiness premises (other than agricultural buildings) connected to the same meter as the electrical installation in a dwelling (for example, shops and public houses below flats).The Part P of the Building Regulations does not apply to electrical installations in locations such as:Business premises in the same building as a dwelling but with separate meteringLocations that supply the power for lifts in blocks of flats (Part P applies to lift installations in single dwellings).Note: We at Sparks do not offer advice on installing the bathroom ceiling lights, shower downlights, and shaver sockets; we only sell these, and you need to get a registered electrician to have them installed.How to make sure Electrical Work Meets the Requirements of Part P?All the electrical installations in a home, garden, conservatory or outbuilding must meet the current Building Regulations. However, any electrical work done in the special areas defined by Part P of the Building Regulations needs to be done by an electrical competent person, a Part P registered electrician. The person responsible for making sure that electrical work meets the requirement of Part P of the Building Regulations is the electrician. If any electrical work is done by a DIY or freelancer who is not registered, local authorities can make homeowners or landlords remove or alter any work that doesn't meet the Building Regulations.How does Part P of the Building Regulations affect Me?The Part P of the Building Regulations requires that a registered electrician is used to do safe electrical installation work at home, especially in the special areas defined by Part P. Their work will meet the UK national standard, BS 7671 (requirements for electrical installations). When they finish their work, the registered electrician will provide you withAn Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Work Certificate that confirms that the work meets BS 7671; andA Building Regulations Compliance Certificate that confirms that the work meets the Building Regulations.What To Do when Electrical Installation Work needs to be Carried out in My Home?If electrical installation work needs to be carried out in your home, you need to make sure you know the current building regulations and act according to them. This means that you need to either tell your local authority building control about the installation work before it starts or employ an electrician who is registered with one of the Government-approved Part P schemes. You can find a registered electrician via this link. In the UK there are some defined competence self-certification schemes such as the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, NAPIT Registration Ltd and Certsure LLP trading as NICEIC and ELECSA, aimed at those who carry out installation work only as an adjunct to or in connection with the primary activity of their business. There is only one body currently authorised to operate third-party certification which is NAPIT. At Sparks we sell a wide range of Bathroom Lights and Bathroom Wiring Accessories such as shaver sockets, pull cord switches, etc; all these need to be installed by a government-approved part-p electrician.Why use a Government-approved Part-P Electrician?Some homeowners may think that they can undertake any electrical work in their house, no matter what it is; they like to tinker with things and DIY is their hobby. However, when it comes to special locations in the home and around the home, it is best to be safe when doing any electrical work or installation. Here are some of the advantages of using a registered electrician who is part-P approved to do the electrical installation work:You won't have to pay any building-control charges.The registered electrician can deal with everything for you.The part-P electrician will arrange for you to receive a certificate that confirms the work meets Building Regulations.You have access to a formal complaints procedure if the work doesn't meet Building Regulations.You can choose to take out an insurance-backed guarantee when you have the work done, and you can make a claim if the work is later found not to meet Building Regulations.Part P of the Building Regulations - Further informationThis article was inspired by many of the following sources below, which we recommend for further reading:Part P Of The Building Regulations, via Electrical Safety First.Electrical safety: Approved Document P - Building Regulation in England covering electrical safety in dwellings. Via, the Building Regulations government page.Approved Document P: electrical safety, dwellings - the PDF file of the regulations.Part P Building Regulations via IET, the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

As a reputable electrical wholesaler with many decades worth of experience in selling consumer units, we have to acknowledge that, when it comes to consumer units, we always recommend the Hager consumer units first. You cannot really say what is the best consumer unit, but based on what we know so far and on the feedback we had both from the supplier and the consumer side, the best consumer units we can recommend to most customers are the Hager Consumer units. You may think we may be too much, but in this article, we will outline some of the main reasons for this. What is a Consumer Unit?A Consumer unit, as defined by IET, is a particular type of distribution board comprising type-tested and coordinated assembly for the control and distribution of electrical energy, mainly in domestic premises. A consumer unit incorporates manual means of double-pole insulation on the incoming circuit(s) and an assembly of one or more fuses (also called circuit breakers, MCBs), residual current operated devices or signalling and other devices are proven to be type-test of the assembly as suitable for use. In other words (in layman's terms), a consumer unit is a metal box where the electricity comes into the house and from which it is distributed, and it has a lot of breakers that control the flow of electricity and stop the overflow if needed. What are the main types of Consumer Units in the UKIn the United Kingdom, there are four main types of consumer units. 1. First, there are the main switch consumer units, which offer the highest degree of circuit separation. All circuits are protected from earth leakage independently. This solution is a more expensive solution, as it uses RCBOs instead of MCBs. Hager provides a wide range of Mains Switch Consumer units. 2. Second, there are the dual RCD consumer units, which are a cost-effective solution to meet the most recent regulations. Each consumer unit is protected by two RCDs, each RCD protects a bank of circuits from earth leakage. Hager in particular offers a good number of such dual RCD consumer units at a very affordable price. 3. The third kind of consumer unit is the High Integrity Consumer Unit, which is usually installed in larger properties that have a greater number of circuits. This kind of consumer unit offers good circuit separation through the use of two or more RCDs, while at the same time allowing for the independent use of RCBOs. Many such HI consumer units have a flexible configuration, so you can use as many RCBOs as you need, based on the number of ways provided. Again, Hager offers many such High Integrity consumer units. 4. Finally, the last type of consumer unit is the RCD incomer consumer unit, which is less common than the other types since the RCD incomer doesn't use a main switch. Such boards are mainly used as sub-boards to a main distribution panel. How to Choose the Right Consumer Unit?Many customers ask us this question, how do I choose the right consumer unit? Similarly, they may ask where to locate it, what should the budget be, and what type and size of the consumer unit he needs for the number of circuits he has in his house or property. There are many manufacturers who make excellent quality consumer units, and on our website, we mainly distribute Schneider, BG Electrical, and Hager; out of all these, we highly recommend the Hager Consumer Units. Things to bear in mind when choosing the right consumer unit are:Where do I locate the consumer unit?What do I use it for?How many ways do I need, and how many modules do I require?Are there any special consideration circuits?Does the Consumer Unit need to be flush or surface mounted?Why we Always Recommend the Hager Consumer Units FirstThere are many technical details and specifications that need to be considered when it comes to a consumer unit, but in this article, we only want to outline why we always recommend the Hager consumer units first. Here are the main reasons Hager Consumer Units are our go-to brand and range:Excellent quality. Made in France and widely distributed and appreciated, the Hager Consumer Units are made up to the highest standard and have excellent quality. Availability: in stock. When it comes to some of the other manufacturers, the stock is a problem; not with Hager, we hold large stocks of Hager Consumer Units, and they are always available within 2-3 working days to be ordered if not in stock. Conforming to the latest Regulations. All the Hager Consumer Units we sell conform to the latest regulations, and they are constantly working on developing and improving the quality of their products. Price: always the best price. Guaranteed the best price for a domestic consumer unit. Both the Hager Consumer Units and the Hager MCBs, RCBOs, and RCDs are available at the most reasonable price in the market, especially at Sparks. Full range and great support: the range of Hager Consumer Units available is very wide, and we bring many of them in. Hager focuses not only on the popular lines but on full systems and solutions. Furthermore, the support that Hager customer service offers is equal to none. Both we and the customers are pleased. What are the most popular Hager Consumer Units?In conclusion, here are some of the most popular Hager Consumer Units which we both recommend and sell almost daily. For installing these consumer units, please consult a registered electrician. For more information related to the Hager Consumer Units, do not hesitate to contact us either via phone or email. Hager VML110RK 10 Way 100A Main Switch Incomer Consumer Unit Round Knockouts (Design 10)Hager VML108SPDRK 8 Way 100A Switch Disconnector Incomer Metal Consumer Unit c/w Type 2 SPD Factory FittedHager VML910CU 10 Way Dual 100A RCD Configurable Metal Consumer Unit 18th Edition FuseboardHager VML106RK 6 Way 100A Main Switch Incomer Consumer Unit Round Knockouts (Design 10)

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. 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. What 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. 

We have noticed a video recently put online by Hager outlining the main features and benefits of their consumer units, and after watching the 1.07 min video we thought that our readers and customers would also benefit from watching it. We have spoken extensively about the Hager Domestic and Commercial Consumer units on our blog, but there's always something new and special that we find out about them.Update: the video has been made private by Hager, but the main benefits and features of these boards from Hager still stand Hager Consumer Units - Features and Benefits When we talk about the consumer units from Hager, we mean especially the domestic distribution boards. Take a look at this short video and don't forget to read the comments below.  Removable Top Wall - removes easily to provide cable access and re-seals to IP4X when used with the two foam strips provided. Cable Space - maximum cable space is available even with the RCBOs fitted so that the installation and the wiring would be much easier. The Terminal Bars - the top-mounted terminal rail makes the wiring of the neutral and earth connections easier and neater. Meter Tail Kit - an optional meter tail kit is available to make the wiring and termination on the incoming cables easier to install. Snap-able Busbar - a snap-able busbar provides a quick and simple configuration of the devices. You can purchase Hager Domestic Consumer Units via Sparks - or read more on our blog concerning these devices.