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Since 2005 the Building regulations for England and Wales has made
direct reference to Electrical Installations, increasing the influence on
how Electrical Equipment is installed in buildings.
Building Regulations
Part P of the building regulations relates to the electrical safety in
dwellings. The approved document prescribes that consumer units
should be located so that they are easily reachable where this is
necessary to comply with Part M of the building Regulations.
Part M requires that reasonable provision be made for people to gain
access to a building and use its facilities. The approved document
prescribes that switches, socket outlets and “other equipment” needs
to be at appropriate heights, these are defined as between 0.45m and
1.2m from finished floor level.
Other equipment may be taken to include the consumer unit, as it
contains devices such as MCB’s and RCD’s that may need operation
or resetting by the user of the dwelling.
The consumer unit should therefore be accessible, with the devices
mounted at a height no greater the 1.2m above the floor. In addition
the consumer unit should not be in a location that would make it
difficult to access such as an under stairs cupboard. Neither should it
be placed in a position where is likely to be damaged by impact.
Therefore depending on the layout of the dwelling a flush consumer
unit may be considered.
Consumer Units should be easily reachable and be
mounted with the switches at a height of between
0.45m & 1.2m above floor level
“
”
Height of between
0.45m and 1.2m
from floor level