Consumer Units | RCBO & MCB | Harbro Electrical

Live Electrical consumer units (fuse boards), Type A RCBOs and single pole MCBs at trade prices from Harbro Electrical, Peterlee. Three metal consumer unit configurations: the LSMC10M-SP 10-way empty at £46.60 + VAT, the LSMC14M-SP 14-way pre-populated at £124.71 + VAT and the LSMC18M-SP 18-way pre-populated at £170.78 + VAT. All three fuse boards include a 100A double pole main switch and a 20/40kA DP SPD. The pre-populated boards come with Type A 30mA B Curve RCBOs pre-fitted.

All prices exclude 20% VAT. Same-day collection from the Peterlee trade counter at SR8 2LY. Free UK Mainland delivery on orders over £70. Supply to electrical contractors across Peterlee, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Durham and Seaham.

Consumer units from £46.60 + VAT • metal, SPD included Type A RCBOs £8.19 + VAT • 6A to 40A Single pole MCBs £1.37 + VAT • 6A to 63A All boards fully metal • BS 7671 Amendment 3 compliant

Which consumer unit? Size and configuration guide

Three Live Electrical metal fuse boards at Harbro, each with a 100A DP main switch and 20/40kA DP SPD pre-fitted. Choose by the number of circuits in the installation design and whether a ready-to-connect pre-populated board or a custom-configured empty enclosure is required.

Model	Ways	Useable circuits	Devices pre-fitted	Width	Price + VAT	Best for
LSMC10M-SP	10-way	7	None - empty enclosure	244mm	£46.60	Flats, annexes, small properties. Installer specifies RCBOs.
LSMC14M-SP	14-way	11	9 Type A RCBOs + 2 blanks	316mm	£124.71	Standard domestic. Ready to connect. 2 free ways for additions.
LSMC18M-SP	18-way	15	13 Type A RCBOs + 2 blanks	388mm	£170.78	Larger domestic or light commercial. Ready to connect. 2 free ways.

All three consumer units are fully metal construction (drop-down metal cover and lid), finished in white RAL 9010 powder coat. Earth terminal bar pre-fitted. Tails gland and grommet strip included.

RCBO consumer unit - pre-populated boards

An RCBO consumer unit is a metal consumer unit (fuse board) supplied pre-populated with RCBOs rather than MCBs. An RCBO combines overcurrent protection and earth fault protection in a single module - when one circuit develops an earth fault, only that circuit's RCBO trips, leaving all other circuits live. Live Electrical offers two RCBO consumer units at Harbro, both compliant with BS 7671:2018 Amendments 2 and 3.

Model	Pre-fitted RCBOs	RCBO breakdown	Free ways	Price + VAT
LSMC14M-SP	9 x Type A 30mA	3×6A, 2×16A, 1×20A, 2×32A, 1×40A	2	£124.71
LSMC18M-SP	13 x Type A 30mA	4×6A, 3×16A, 1×20A, 4×32A, 1×40A	2	£170.78

All pre-fitted RCBOs are Type A - detecting both sinusoidal AC and pulsating DC earth fault currents. This is the mandatory specification for circuits supplying EV chargers, solar PV inverters and other modern electronic equipment under BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2. Additional Live Electrical Type A RCBOs are available separately to populate the two free ways.

RCBOs - Type A single module, 6A to 40A

The Live Electrical AMR B-030 Type A RCBO at £8.19 + VAT is a single module RCBO combining overcurrent and 30mA earth fault protection in one DIN rail position. All six amperages (6A through 40A) share the same specification: Type A, B Curve, 30mA, 6kA breaking capacity, 230V AC, switched neutral as standard, BS EN 61009-1.

Amperage	Part number	Typical circuit application	Price + VAT
6A	AMR106B-030	Lighting circuits	£8.19
10A	AMR110B-030	Lighting circuits, smaller appliance radials	£8.19
16A	AMR116B-030	Socket ring mains, radial socket circuits	£8.19
20A	AMR120B-030	Dedicated appliance circuits, some cooker circuits	£8.19
32A	AMR132B-030	Ring main, 7kW EV charger circuits, cooker circuits	£8.19
40A	AMR140B-030	Higher-load circuits, some shower circuits	£8.19

Type A RCBOs detect both sinusoidal AC and pulsating DC earth fault currents, making them the correct specification for any circuit supplying equipment with switch-mode power supplies, EV chargers or PV inverters. Type AC devices - which detect only sinusoidal AC faults - may not provide adequate protection on these circuits under BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2.

Single Pole MCBs - 6kA B Curve, 6A to 63A

The Live Electrical CA Series single pole MCB at £1.37 + VAT provides overcurrent and short circuit protection in a single module. Eight amperages: 6A (CA106B), 10A (CA110B), 16A (CA116B), 20A (CA120B), 32A (CA132B), 40A (CA140B), 50A (CA150B) and 63A (CA163B). Rated at 6kA, B Curve, 230 to 400V. Suitable for all consumer units and enclosures in the Live Electrical range.

MCBs are appropriate on circuits not requiring 30mA RCD protection - for example, circuits in an installation already protected by a whole-board RCD, or circuits in non-domestic environments where the circuit design does not require per-circuit earth fault protection. On new domestic installations, the current specification is typically RCBOs throughout rather than MCBs behind a shared RCD.

The isolator switch in a consumer unit - what it is and how it works

Every Live Electrical consumer unit includes a 100A double pole isolating main switch. This main switch is the isolator switch for the installation - when operated to the off position it disconnects both the line and neutral conductors from all circuits simultaneously, providing safe isolation of the entire installation for inspection, testing and maintenance work.

The term isolator switch refers specifically to this function: a device that provides a means of disconnecting an electrical circuit from its supply for safety purposes. A double pole isolator disconnects both live conductors (line and neutral). The 100A DP main switch pre-fitted in all Live Electrical consumer units is a 100A double pole isolator rated for the full installation current. For outbuilding sub-panels and garage installations, the Live Electrical LSGUMS616 metal garage unit provides a 100A main isolating switch with pre-fitted MCBs for sub-panel installation.

Metal Garage Unit - sub-panel for outbuildings and garages

The Live Electrical LSGUMS616 metal garage unit at £28.70 + VAT is a 4-way pre-fitted sub-panel for garages, outbuildings and workshops. Includes a 100A main switch (isolating switch), one 6A B Curve MCB and one 16A B Curve MCB. Metal construction, IP40 rated. The correct product for a small outbuilding installation fed from the main consumer unit as a separately metered or sub-distribution point.

Peterlee trade counter - consumer units and Live Electrical in stock

Live Electrical consumer units, RCBOs, MCBs and garage units at 5 & 6 Whitworth Road, Peterlee, SR8 2LY. Call 0191 518 1998 to check current stock. Mon-Thu 7:30am-5:00pm, Fri 7:30am-4:00pm, Sat 8:30am-12:30pm. Trade account and volume pricing available.

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Consumer Units, RCBOs and Isolator Switches: frequently asked questions

What is a consumer unit?

A consumer unit - also known as a fuse board, fuseboard or distribution board - is the main electrical distribution point in a building. It contains the main isolating switch (which isolates the entire installation), the surge protection device and the individual circuit protective devices (RCBOs or MCBs) for each circuit. Live Electrical consumer units at Harbro are fully metal construction, include a 100A double pole main switch and 20/40kA DP SPD, and are available empty (LSMC10M-SP, 7 useable ways, £46.60 + VAT) or pre-populated with Type A RCBOs (LSMC14M-SP at £124.71 + VAT or LSMC18M-SP at £170.78 + VAT).

What is an RCBO consumer unit?

An RCBO consumer unit is a metal consumer unit (fuse board) pre-populated with RCBOs rather than MCBs. An RCBO combines overcurrent and earth fault protection in a single module, providing per-circuit protection: when one circuit develops an earth fault, only that circuit's RCBO trips. The Live Electrical LSMC14M-SP is a 14-way RCBO consumer unit with 9 Type A 30mA RCBOs pre-fitted at £124.71 + VAT. The LSMC18M-SP is an 18-way RCBO consumer unit with 13 Type A RCBOs at £170.78 + VAT. Both include a 20/40kA SPD and 100A DP main switch.

What is an RCBO?

An RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection) is a single device combining an MCB and an RCD in one module. It provides overcurrent and short circuit protection and 30mA earth fault current protection for a single circuit. When one circuit has an earth fault, only that circuit's RCBO trips - all others remain live. This per-circuit protection is now standard for new domestic consumer units. Live Electrical AMR B-030 Type A RCBOs are available in 6A, 10A, 16A, 20A, 32A and 40A at £8.19 + VAT each from Harbro.

What is the difference between an RCBO and an MCB?

An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) protects against overcurrent and short circuit only - it provides no earth fault protection. An RCBO provides both. On a consumer unit using MCBs, a shared RCD covers multiple circuits - a fault on any one circuit trips the RCD and removes all circuits behind it. With RCBOs, each circuit has its own combined protection and only the faulted circuit trips. Live Electrical CA Series MCBs are available from £1.37 + VAT (6A to 63A).Live Electrical Type A RCBOs are £8.19 + VAT (6A to 40A).

What is an isolator switch?

An isolator switch is a device that disconnects an electrical circuit or installation from its supply for safe isolation during maintenance, testing or fault-finding. In a domestic or commercial installation, the main switch in the consumer unit is the isolating switch for the entire installation. All Live Electrical consumer units include a 100A double pole isolating main switch that disconnects both line and neutral conductors simultaneously. For outbuilding sub-panels, the Live Electrical LSGUMS616 metal garage unit includes a 100A main isolating switch with pre-fitted 6A and 16A MCBs.

What is a Type A RCBO?

A Type A RCBO detects both sinusoidal AC and pulsating DC earth fault currents. A standard Type AC RCBO detects sinusoidal AC faults only. Modern equipment including EV chargers, solar PV inverters, LED drivers and switch-mode power supplies can produce pulsating DC fault currents that a Type AC device may not detect reliably. BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 requires Type A protection for circuits supplying such equipment. All Live Electrical AMR B-030 RCBOs are Type A, as are all RCBOs pre-fitted in the LSMC14M-SP and LSMC18M-SP consumer units.

Do Live Electrical consumer units comply with current regulations?

Yes. Live Electrical consumer units at Harbro satisfy the key BS 7671:2018 amendment requirements: fully metal construction (Amendment 3 non-combustible enclosure requirement for domestic premises), 20/40kA DP SPD pre-fitted (Amendment 2 surge protection requirement) and Type A RCBOs throughout the pre-populated boards (Amendment 2 requirement for circuits supplying electronic loads). Installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA.

Where can I buy consumer units in the North East?

Live Electrical consumer units, RCBOs, MCBs and the metal garage unit are stocked at Harbro Electrical, 5 & 6 Whitworth Road, Peterlee, Co Durham, SR8 2LY. Mon to Thu 7:30am to 5:00pm, Fri 7:30am to 4:00pm, Sat 8:30am to 12:30pm. Call 0191 518 1998 to check current stock before visiting. We supply electrical contractors across Peterlee, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Durham and Seaham. Free UK Mainland delivery on orders over £70.

Live Consumer Units