Consumer unit drafty and tatty replacement help

UKworkshop.co.uk

Help Support UKworkshop.co.uk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Akwoody2402

Established Member
Joined
7 Dec 2018
Messages
30
Reaction score
4
Location
Chester
Hi all

I want to replace our consumer unit "cabinet" for reasons above.

Any ideas on how to fill it in to seal as best I can and whether or not a more flush effect can be attained

Or easier just to replace the front and repaint so tidy . That won't get rid of draft though
 

Attachments

  • 15498089071267358184962880501515.jpg
    15498089071267358184962880501515.jpg
    1.8 MB · Views: 84
  • 15498089465475065143597329068385.jpg
    15498089465475065143597329068385.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 84
My knee jerk is all that excess foam is a potential fire risk.

Particularly the dollop between the meter and the consumer unit.

Ten minute job to clean it away.
Also IIRC, that foam attacks wire sheathing.
 
I think that the risk to PVC cable sheathing from insulation is more related to the plasticiser in the PVC interacting with polystyrene insulation - that looks like polyeurethane foam, so probably not a big problem from that point of view. For maintainablility, I'd refrain from putting in any more foam above the CU where the cables go out to the individual circuits.

You seem to have a 'spare' circuit breaker module sitting on top of the CU - I'd get rid of that. If you've got draughts coming from behind the plasterboard, I'd try and stop them at source - wherever that is.

I think I'd simply try and add a foam draught strip all the way round the edge of the cover panel - to make that airtight - this may involve adding a small strip of wood across the bottom of the opening. You'll still lose heat because air can clearly circulate behind the plasterboard.

The electrical regs have been tightented up recently with regard to fire risk around the CU - CU's now need to be metal and cable entries caulked/airtight to contain any fire starting within. Because of the high currents flowing, and the use of screw-connectors (which can work themselves loose over time) fires have started in or near CU's - I found charring in mine caused by exactly this. So - you do need to be mindful of fire-proofing or at least the possibility of overheating being a risk, but also accessibility for future maintenance/testing near, your CU.

Cheers, W2S
 

Latest posts

Back
Top