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Since 2005 the Building regulations for England and Wales
have made direct reference to Electrical Installations,
increasing the influence on how Electrical Equipment is
installed in buildings.
Part P of the building regulations relates to the electrical
safety in dwellings. The approved document prescribes that
switches, sockets and consumer units in new dwellings
should be easy to reach, in accordance with Part M of the
building regulations.
Part M recommends that switches, sockets and other
equipment should be located between 450mm and 1200mm
from finished floor level, it does not specifically mention the
consumer unit. However Part P suggests that one way of
complying is to mount the consumer unit so that the switches
are between 1350mm and 1450mm above floor level.
In addition the consumer unit may need to be in an
accessible location and not in a location that would make it
difficult to access. Such as in a small under stairs cupboard.
Neither should it be placed in a position where there is likely
to be damage by impact.
Therefore depending on the layout of the dwelling a flush
consumer unit may be considered.
Building Regulations
Height of
between
450mm and
1200mm from
floor level
Guide to
| 17th Edition Consumer Units
5
“Consumer Units may need
to be easily reachable
and be mounted with
the devices at a height
of between 1350mm &
1450mm above floor level”