Requirements for Distribution Boards and Consumer Units
During an EICR there will be visual inspections of the consumer unit/ distribution boards
Checks will be made of the following items
Adequacy of working space and accessibility to the distribution board
The position of the consumer unit is to be accessible for use and allow access for maintenance.
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Security of fixing
A check of the security of the distribution board fixings will be made
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Condition of enclosures in terms of IP ratings
The distribution board will be checked for level of ingress protection.​
Condition of enclosures in terms of fire rating
The distribution board will be inspected and assessed for potential risk of fire
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Enclosure not damaged or deteriorated so as to impair safety
The distribution board will be checked for any damage that could cause a hazard
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Presence of main linked switch
It is required that there is a point of isolation at the distribution board that breaks all live conductors
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Operation of main switch
The functionality of the main isolator will be checked for correct operation
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Manual operation of circuit breakers, RCD, RCBO and AFDD devices
There will be functional checks made of all circuit protective devices
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Correct identification of circuit details and protective devices
Circuits will be checked that they correspond to labelling on the distribution board
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Presence of RCD six monthly test notice at or near consumer unit/ distribution board where required
It is a requirement that the user of the distribution equipment is reminded to press the manual test button every six months to check it is fully operational.
Presence of alternative supply warning notice at or near the consumer unit/ distribution board
If more than one electrical supply is present it is a requirement that a warning notice posted where it can be clearly seen
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Presence of other required labelling
Other notices required as set out in BS7671 2018
Compatability of protective devices, correct rating of protective devices and switchgear
Protective devices and switchgear will all be checked for suitability with regard to current ratings, utilisation category and compatibilty of equipment.
Single pole switching or protective devices in line conductors only
Where single pole devices it is required for safety that the line conductor only is switched
Protection against mechanical damage where cables enter consumer units
Consumer units will be inspected for the presence of items providing required mechanical protection to cables such as grommets, grommet strip or stuffing clands
Protection against electromagnetic effects where cables enter consumer units
Where ferrous enclosures are used it is required to prevent eddy current flow that all live conductors of a circuit pass through the same cable entry
RCDs provided for fault protection
Where high loop impedence situations exist such as in a TT system, RCD protection is required fo provide fault protection to the installation
RCDs provided for additional protection
RCDs are a requirement for all final circuits in a domestic electrical installation to BS7671 2018
Confirmation of indication that SPD is functional
Where an SPD is fitted its indication will be checked for healthy condition.
Confirmation that all conductor connections including busbars are tight and secure
All connections in the consumer unit will be torque checked for correct tightness and security
Adequate arrangements where a generator set operates as an alternative to the public supply
Checks will be made for comple isolation of the public supply and the safety requirements are met when running form an alternative supply generator set.
Adequate arrangements where a generator set runs in parallel with the public supply
Checks will be made of circuit protection devices used where the generator set integrates with the public supply
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For more information on the requirements for distribution boards and consumer units contact us at Niman Electrical,
we are always happy to help.
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