Choiceof CU

Schneider easy9s are nice looking boards and the magnetic flip down cover gives a premium feel if you like that sort of thing.
I personally would not regard that as a particularly pressing issue - my interest in tyhemis as functionalitems, not works of art :)
It does mean you need a bit more space to install it if you're close to obstructions though as it's the entire lid that's hinged.
Somewhat of a downside in some situations.
I've fitted a couple of the contactum flush mount boards, I rate them if you're first fixing in stud walls. Nice to be able to bring the cables into an empty box. Believe hager do flush boards too but I think they're deeper, might struggle to get much lagging behind them if it's an external wall.
Fair enough - but flush boards are not relevant to my current discussions (and, other than pure aesthetics {'work of art}again? :) )
I haven't had any issues with fusebox, feels solid, plenty space and I prefer the rounded edges.
Thanks. That's two pretty positive votes for Fusebox, then.
 
Hager for good quality and very reliable AND available from many outkets
Fusebox for lower price point but very good products AND available from many outlets
I should have asked .... since it appears that you are perfectly happy with Fusebox, would there be any specific reason for paying more for Hager?
 
I know Hagar WAS liked by one Electrician for the following reasons:

1) Available at most wholesale counters, in stock
2) Good backwards compatibility by fitting older bus bar systems or CUs

I suspect neither of these things rate in your scoring system though
 
Somewhat of a downside in some situations.
Definitely, if you've got the space though they're good in the sense that it's bottom hinged so you don't have to hold up a flap.


Fair enough - but flush boards are not relevant to my current discussions (and, other than pure aesthetics {'work of art}again? :) )
Why not, they're in the link you provided? Other than pure aesthetics they're good where space is at a premium, if it's getting installed somewhere you could see it being subject to mechanical damage e.g. socket height in a living space being flush to the wall is a good thing and their front cover is very robust
 
I like Schneider the best as you don't have to mess with the silly bus bar....but on a board change they can be a pain as the mcb/rcbo load terminals point down.
 
I like Schneider the best as you don't have to mess with the silly bus bar....but on a board change they can be a pain as the mcb/rcbo load terminals point down.
Are you on about the square d replacement boards? Easy 9 don't have bottom loads
 
I know Hagar WAS liked by one Electrician for the following reasons:
1) Available at most wholesale counters, in stock
2) Good backwards compatibility by fitting older bus bar systems or CUs
OK
I suspect neither of these things rate in your scoring system though
Your suspicion is correct.! .....
(1) ... In terms of the Hager/Fusebox comparison, Fusebox products are also very widely available, probably at least as available as Hager.
(2) ... Certainly from the viewpoint of an end-user who is having a CUI replaced, I don't really see why backward compatibility is an advantage. Ongoing availability of 'spares' is probably far more important
 
Why not, they're in the link you provided? Other than pure aesthetics they're good where space is at a premium, if it's getting installed somewhere you could see it being subject to mechanical damage e.g. socket height in a living space being flush to the wall is a good thing and their front cover is very robust
I was referring to the discussions I'd had that led me to start this thread, resulting from a 'trusted electrician' having suggested that a FuseBox CU would be "perfectly satisfactory and cost-effective" for the CU replacement he had been asked to do. Those involved in that discussion had no interest in a flush CU (and there was no problem of space or likely mechanical damage). However, I agree with your points when they are applicable.
 
Ongoing availability of 'spares' is probably far more important
The question then becomes, can/should we take past performance as a guide to the future.

e.g. if I can get parts for a 10 year old brand x CU today, does that suggest I will be able to get parts for todays brand x CU in 10 years time.
 
Are you on about the square d replacement boards? Easy 9 don't have bottom loads
Yes, they are still Schneider., acti 9 I think they are.

I've got an easy 9 at home yes they are top load, you ever fitted one they are huge loads of space inside.
 
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The question then becomes, can/should we take past performance as a guide to the future.
A fair question.
e.g. if I can get parts for a 10 year old brand x CU today, does that suggest I will be able to get parts for todays brand x CU in 10 years time.
Another fair question, but I suppose that, in the case of FuseBox, we can only guess about the answer - since we can't know whether parts will be available after 10 years for products which I think only started appearing 6 or 7 years ago.

As I often say, whenever I buy something 'significant' (be it a CU, a set of matching lights or whatever) that contain parts (or the whole) which may need replacing a few years down the line, I always try to lay in some 'spares' at the time of my initial purchase.

Kind Regards, John
 
Yes, they are still Schneider., acti 9 I think they are.

I've got an easy 9 at home yes they are top load, you ever fitted one they are huge loads of space inside.
Yeah I've got a 6 way in my garage, they're nice boards. Definitely one of the pricier offerings but they seem to be picking up steam in the domestic market
Also I see they do a domestic square D style board like you were on about now called resi9
 

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