Wall Fixings Near Consumer Unit Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Gareth176]

I want to put a shelf up in my home office, on a wall which also has the consumer unit on it. Is this a total non-starter, or could I safely avoid drilling into a cable by using those plasterboard fixings which screw into the wall? I’ve tried using a Bosch detector to map where the cables are, but it seems to light up like a Christmas tree without any pattern I can map out (maybe it’s just cheap !).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Mr White]

All cable "detectors" have the same problem, they are a waste of money.

Ideally the cables to your consumers unit should run vertically up or down to the consumers unit. The problem is you should never assume anything.

I would also pint out that having a shelf near a consumers unit will be a pain should the consumers unit need to be inspected, as it will no doubt hinder things.

As for finding where the cables run, I can only suggest you make an exploratory hole and see what you find.