Can someone please tell me what the proper name is for the switch unit, that operates all your domestic appliance sockets in the kitchen.

Thanks

Claire S, September 2010

one more thing claire,the switches can be replaced ndividuly,no need to replace the whole unit,!!!!! :-)

gts, October 2010

we now use rccd,s peccavi,17 edit box has two,
called a split load consumer unit.

gts, October 2010

your welcome from all of us claire.

gts, October 2010

Thanks folks for all your help, just don't like calling out an electrician about faults, when I don't know what I'm talking about.

Much appreciated

Claire S, October 2010

Thank you very much - we are having a new kitchen in the spring - bonus permitting - but we leave all our sockets set to On all the time - so Grid switches will not be part of the plan...

Peccavi, October 2010

you dont need them,but if you are fitting a new kitchen,it might be worth while fitting them,so if your one of these people who turn off all appliances when you go on hols,then you have the means

gts, October 2010

its use to stop you having to pull out washing machines etc to turn sockets off,most modern installations have them,they come in four or six gang
or more if you require them.

gts, October 2010

Well - thanks for the "grid switch" info - I must stop living in the past - just what is the purpose of a grid switch?

Should I have them?

Peccavi, October 2010

it is a grid switch peccavi

gts, October 2010

They sound like grid switches to me.

Adam, October 2010

Peccavi,

What I should have said is that this switch unit is located in the kitchen and only has 4 swithches to operate dishwasher, washing m/c, fridge freezer, and emergency h/w. One of the switches has jammed and doesn't send power the the socket, just wanted to know the correct name of this particular unit. e.g. distribution board or power supply unit.

Claire S, October 2010

Somewhere in the property will be a Consumer Unit (fuse board)

It will have Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) for each individual circuit - Upstairs Lights - Downstairs Lights - Upstairs Power - Downstairs Power and sometimes Kitchen Power.

Most consumer units have one or more Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) - a Safety cut out switch that delivers power to all or some MCBs

An MCB trip indicates a high current fault on that circuit
An ELCB trip indicates an unsafe condition - usually in a piece of equipment.

Some ELCBs have more functionality and a different name - the trip switch handle on all of them is bigger than the smaller MCBs.

In older properties fusing is organised with plug in fuse holders on a fuse board - you have to replace a small length of wire.

Fuses and breakers guard against over current, heated cables and fire and the house burning down.

ELCBs guard against Electric Shock

Peccavi, September 2010