Choiceof CU

[flameport]

I suppose that the crucial "$64,000 Question" is which brand you usually install

Wylex mostly, sometimes Hager.

 

[JohnW2]

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.

 

[JohnW2]

Hager RCBO's

Buy online Hager RCBO's at Edwardes with 24 hour delivery.

www.edwardes.co.uk

Thanks - interesting. £13.90 is certainly a lot less than TLC's £18.72. I must look and see how their prices for other brands compares with TLC's!

 

[JohnW2]

Wylex mostly, sometimes Hager.

Thanks. In quoting my message, you missed off the last two words, which were "... and why? Is there a simple answer to that, or is it perhaps just 'what you have always done'?

 

[JohnW2]

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?

 

[AndyPRK]

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

 

[trojanhawrs]

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

 

[pete01]

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.

 

[trojanhawrs]

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

 

[JohnW2]

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

 

[JohnW2]

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.

 

[plugwash]

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.

 

[pete01]

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.

 

[JohnW2]

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

 

[trojanhawrs]

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