When did new style FCUs come in?

womble12345

I am looking at a 1980s house that would have been built with an old style fuse board, it now has a new FCU with RCDs. When did the new style FCUs come in? I am just trying to get an idea of the age of the FCU.
Thanks.

Section62

womble12345 said:

I am looking at a 1980s house that would have been built with an old style fuse board, it now has a new FCU with RCDs. When did the new style FCUs come in? I am just trying to get an idea of the age of the FCU.
Thanks.

Do you mean 'consumer unit'?  (FCU is something else)

If so, a picture of the consumer unit would help us advise.  There have been many "new styles" of consumer units with protective devices going back to at least the 1960's... so it is possible a 1980's house had a 'modern' consumer unit from new, albeit to a different design than the latest models.

FFHillbilly

if you post a picture it will be easier to date it. I can think of 10 "new styles"

womble12345

This is the best photo I have

Rodders53

Plastic so oldish and not to current regs (metal is required, fire safety reasons).  
Also too high (no access for disabled) to meet current regs.

Could be any date from say 1980 to 2010 approx).  Dunno why you think it is "new".  I installed a similar plastic Consumer Unit in one of my homes in 1980.

FFHillbilly

the back part looks like it's metal to me, I can't recall seeing knockouts like that on plastic consumer units.

a proper photo would help

Section62

FFHillbilly said:

the back part looks like it's metal to me, I can't recall seeing knockouts like that on plastic consumer units.

a proper photo would help

I agree.

The front part looks very similar to a 17thEd insulated MK Sentry, but all those I've had dealings with had rectangular cut-out sections in the rear moulding rather than round conduit-style knockouts.

So I'm not sure whether this is an MK CU, or if someone has fitted an MK front to an existing metal box, or if the whole thing was made by a different manufacturer.

Style-wise I'd be reasonably confident it was later than 1980's though, enough that I don't think it likely to be original to when the house was built.

womble12345

Thanks for all the replies, I didnt realise that CUs with RCDs were around for so long, I thought RCDs only came in about 10 years ago so I now know. Thanks.

Jonboy_1984

Our last flat was built in 1987 and had a metal backed, plastic fronted MK CU, with a clear plastic flap over the switches, it was however stuffed full of MCBs rather than RCDs.

The styling of the plastic front on this one looks more modern to me.

grumbler

womble12345 said:

..., I didnt realise that CUs with RCDs were around for so long, I thought RCDs only came in about 10 years ago so I now know. Thanks.

RCDs can be added to older units, but my house is mid 90s and has the original RCD for sockets.