Consumer unit safety check-list
Document Status
Current
Supplement
Mechanical & Electrical Supplement
Abstract
This checklist highlights key safety measures for selecting consumer units compliant with BS EN / BS EN IEC 61439-3, a standard defining single-phase distribution boards with a conditional short-circuit rating of 16 kA for household use with a maximum 100 A fuse-link. It warns against counterfeit or non-compliant products, which can pose severe risks including fire, electrocution, and legal consequences for distributors and installers. Compliance ensures safe integration of components such as MCBs and RCDs within enclosures, with performance verified through requirements such as temperature rise testing and the UK-specific 16 kA short-circuit test. Careful product selection is essential to guarantee protection and reliability in domestic electrical installations.
History
August 2025 edition.
Subjects
- Power supply/distribution
- Building services
- Electrical services
Publisher History
BEAMA represents the electrotechnical industry for the UK, supporting manufacturers of electrical infrastructure products and systems from transmission through distribution to the environmental services in the built environment.
Information
NBS
NBS has produced specification systems and information products for construction industry professionals for more than 40 years. The National Building Specification is the recognised UK national standard and is used by over 5,000 organisations. NBS is part of RIBA Enterprises Ltd.
Accuris
We connect trusted knowledge to customers' workflows – mitigating risk, increasing efficiency and accelerating innovation For more than 60 years, leading R&D and engineering-intensive organizations have relied on us to achieve on-time, on-budget delivery of complex projects and new products. We deliver an unparalleled combination of technical content and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to surface answers from the vast universe of technical knowledge, both inside and outside the organization. In a single interface, we connect the dots between information scattered across many different sources, allowing technical professionals to make better, more informed decisions faster.