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Started a new build with attached garage.
Would we be allowed to put the consumer unit and meter in a cupboard in the garage?? Not sure of building regs on this. TIA
Yes as long as it’s accessible for maintenance and the cable routes and containment comply 😁
Hi that wouldn't be an issue, I did the same about 10 years ago with our garage extension for us and our neighbour, that garage now covers the old external positon of the meter cupboard.
No changes with the recent 18th edition IET BS 7671 regulation amendment on this either.
Make sure you fire rate the cable penetration with some fire foam or similar, the extension if it's a garage should be it's own fire compartment and as such the construction between that and the main house needs a proper fire door and all penetrations sealed up.
Take it you have building control visiting as you go?
Yes airvent. I’m only on the foundation stage but architect didn’t put a location for it and I need to put a duct in for power cable so thought just as easy if it’s allowed to go into garage.
Thanks for the replies guys
Check with your DSO (distribution system operator). Typically a customer cut out has to be in an external wall as they are responsible for everything up to and including that cut out.
What you don't want happening is a cable fault upteen years down the line and the DSO tell you that either your floor is coming up or that your new cut out is going on an external wall and you need to arrange the meter to be moved and then to have it cabled from the meter to the consumer unit. It will leave you a long time with no power.
Can vouch for the above- meter operators are in a world of their own and can take months to organise shifting stuff.
Dont forget to order a hockey stick to bring the cable through 90 degrees too.
I'm not an expert but did relatively recently have to relocate my meters (gas and electric) when building an extension. It cost a lot of money and took a lot of time!
So, +1 for checking with your DSO as to what they require. Ours were helpful but fairly rigid in their approach, and you don't want to find out you've done it wrong further on down the road.
The electric has been a nightmare to be honest. Basically not enough power for the new house so having to upgrade the transformer. The first quote was 11 grand. Refused to pay it eventually it came down to 5. Annoying really as I think everyone should be entitled to electricity at reasonable cost
The DNOs are private companies so everything is chargeable unfortunately.
We once got quoted 28k for a new phone line from BT to take it one mile up a cliff, needless to say we ran that site off mobile phones...
Annoying really as I think everyone should be entitled to electricity at reasonable cost
You are. Reasonable means a fair cost for the work fairly required of course.
Upgrading the transformer at your cost alone seems interesting though.
PM me.