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Electrical

Is it OK to have my electrical service head, meter and consumer unit in a kitchen ?

Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.38 PM

I live in a 1960 town house and am relocating my kitchen from the first to the ground floor. Unfortunately the old lead (?) cable carrying the mains electricity supply, the service head, meter and consumer unit are all within the new kitchen area. The mains cable is probably very brittle now and could only be moved a very short distance, say one or two inches, as there is very little play in it. So I have very limited scope to work with. Is it OK under building regulations to have the electrical service head, meter and consumer unit in a kitchen ? Albeit in a cupboard. What advice can you give me about how to ensure that steam from cooking etc doesn't get into the service head, meter, consumer unit cupboard ? Are there some regulations about the specification for any such cupboard? I read another reply in this forum which suggested the consumer until could be moved with minimum rewiring of existing circuits by using a din rail this would enable me to get this moved out the kitchen but sadly not the service head or meter, could be moved out of the kitchen area. Is this worth doing to reduce risk etc? Overall what are the regulations about service heads, meters and consumer units in kitchens please, I cannot make head nor tail of them. btw, I am not doing this myself it is being done by an electrician.

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2 Answers

DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5

Grimsby

Well, I have seen them in kitchens many a time. Yes, you can have a cupboard over the whole lot, but it must be accessible. You can move the meter and service head ( well the DNO can ) at a cost. The electrician is not allowed to touch any of this, but he can move the consumer unit. Cost wise, I would put a cupboard over it. Away from sink unit, pipes etc. Basically away from any external influences that may be deprimental to the safe working of it all.

Answered13 March 2018

Anonymous user

Deacon Electrical are correct In their advice. Moving the service head will be expensive, but you have to weigh up your options? From what what you're saying and from previous advice posted, moving the DNO isn't an option. If someone has mentioned using DIN rail that means installing an IP adaptabtable box with connectors on the DIN rail, to extend the circuits to a different location, along with new mains tails and consumer unit which is all achievable. Iv'e had to do this many times. Usually in Cellars where damp and condensation is getting into the consumer unit. The C/U is then relocated into the living area of the property well away from damp. A full EIC report must be undertaken after this work is carried out.

Answered15 March 2018