Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This Question of the Day, concerning the re-siting of a consumer unit and safe zones, is answered by the ECA:
Question: I need to re-site my consumer unit in order to upgrade (Part P inspection also).
I have a safe zone from my consumer unit to the floor, which I believe I can run 25mm meter tails in (no de-rating, as only 1m in poorly insulated cavity), and was intending to use flexible conduit (Flexicon) as a protection. Meter tails will be into a Henley box and then off to the meter, directly behind and below.
The Regulations are not so clear - is it a safe zone? But these are fused at 80A or 100A and the cables will not be fixed or >50mm deep. Surely nobody will drill below a consumer unit?
Answer: You will need to use earthed metallic (rigid) conduit or other mechanical protection to stop nail/screw penetration (at least 3mm thick steel is recommended).
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www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions