MK Consumer Units

MK Consumer Units - A Buyer’s Guide

There is now such a wide range of consumer units that choosing the right one for your project can be bewildering. This jargon busting article will help the domestic buyer.

Number of Ways

The first consideration in choosing a consumer unit is deciding how many separate circuits you have. For example, Upstairs Ring Main (main power circuit), Downtairs Ring Main, Upstairs Lighting, Downstairs Lighting, Cooker, Shower, Smoke Alarms, Freezer etc etc. These are all separate circuits.
 
In the consumer unit these circuits are protected by one of two ‘protection devices’; either an MCB or RCBO. The amount of these devices that a consumer unit can take is known as the ‘Number of Usable Ways’. 

So, quite simply a 10 way consumer unit means there are 10 usable ways which can take 10 MCBs or RCBOs and consequently will protect 10 separate circuits. MK consumer units are available from 2 usable ways to 21 usable ways.

The Four Types of MK Consumer Unit

Split Load MK Consumer Units - Supplied with Main Switch and 1 RCD, usually rated at 80A 30mA
Dual RCD MK Consumer Units - A consumer unit with 2 x RCDs and Main Switch. The RCDs in MK consumer units may be the same or different rating, i.e 40A and 63A, or 63A and 80A.
17th Edition MK Consumer Units - Usually, a consumer unit with 2 x RCDs and Main Switch
High Integrity MK Consumer Units - These usually feature 3 neutral bars thus giving excellent circuit separation. MK have gone one better, however, with the K5684s which has four neutral bars. This consumer unit, above any other gives the very best circuit spearation and total versatility of configuration.

Metal or Plastic?

This is fairly simply answered by ascertaining where the fuseboard is intended to be situated. If, as is normal, it’s going in the house it’s normal to use plastic, which is also known as ‘insulated’. If it’s to be sited in an outhouse, workshop or garage then its common to use metal. There are no rulaes governing this and is just a matter of preference. However, in cases where an armoured cable is to be terminated in the consumer unit then metal should be used as a plastic unit will snap under the load.

Which Manufacturer?

It seems, certainly to us in the industry, that every man and his dog is now producing consumer units, and at ever lower prices. To be honest I would steer clear of anything that isn’t manufactured by a circuit protection specialist.
 
It’s not that anything the newer manufacturers make is unsafe, but there is no guarantee that in years to come these cheaper unbranded units will still be in production; which gives you a big problem if you need replacement MCBs.
 
MK consumer units on the other hand have been in production for many years and are supplied with a vast range of main switches, RCBOs, RCDs and accessories such as stacking kits and timer modules. As one of the most respected and established names in the industry MK consumer units are the choice of electricians and home owners alike.