Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This one, concerning whether, when replacing an old consumer unit, the new one should go in the same position, is answered by the NICEIC:
Question: I have to replace a consumer unit currently supplying lighting and immersion circuits (a second main unit is close to the meter and not part of this question). The current consumer unit is a four-way wired fuse type and is above a shelf approximately 8ft6in from the floor, accessible from stepladder.
However, the room it is situated in is a cloakroom with toilet and wash handbasin. Is it acceptable to replace this in that location, or should I move it close to the main unit? The circuits it supplies are perfectly acceptable and do not need replacing.
Answer: Consideration should be given to establish whether the consumer unit is suitable for the environment and accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance to be safely carried out. From the description, it would seem that splashing from the basin would be unlikely.
As regards accessibility, it is not unusual, but not ideal, for consumer unit to be located at this height. You should make your own assessment of how easy it would be to access it for maintenance purposes and then decide whether it requires relocating or not.
The relevant Regulations in BS7671: 2008 are as follows: 132.12 p18, 513.1 p90.
The location for a consumer unit must provide reasonable access to facilitate the operation of switches and protective devices, and also facilitate inspection, maintenance and access to all connections. In the circumstances that you describe, at 8ft 6in (2590mm) from the floor in a cloakroom, it is difficult to see reasonable access being achieved and your suggestion of mounting the unit close to the main unit appears a better solution. See Regulations 132.12, 341.1 & 529.
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