A consumer unit, often referred to as a fuse box or distribution board, is a key component in an electrical installation that distributes electricity throughout a building.
It contains various circuit breakers or fuses designed to protect electrical circuits from overloading or short circuits. A typical consumer unit includes:
- Circuit Breakers: Individual switches that protect specific electrical circuits (e.g., lighting, sockets, appliances). If there's a fault, they "trip" to break the circuit.
- Residual Current Devices (RCDs): Safety devices that detect imbalances in the electrical current and quickly cut the power to prevent electric shocks.
- Main Switch: This controls the supply of electricity to the unit and can turn off all electricity in the home.
In essence, it ensures the safe distribution and management of electricity in a property.
