ABB has released an updated version of the Housemaster consumer unit, aimed at domestic and light commercial applications. The Housemaster Compact brings a series of improved features, including increased cabling space.

The Housemaster Compact has a flexible split load that provides added protection and isolation capabilities. A main isolating switch feeds essential circuits such as lighting and protects other circuits with residual current devices. (RCD) Other devices, such as showers, can be assigned separate MCBs to protect against electrical faults without disrupting all the power distributed around the building.

Another key benefit of the Housemaster Compact is its ability to accommodate non-standard configurations. Instead of being confined to typical combinations of 4+4 or 6+6 only, it provides extra flexibility by enabling installers to achieve variations including 3+5 or 2+6.

The Housemaster Compact has a fully shrouded busbar, making the unit easier and quicker to install, while also providing added protection when in operation.

For installations where space is limited, the Housemaster features a front sliding door that expands the options of where the unit can be located. Additionally, the interior space of the consumer unit provides extra space for cabling, created by reducing the size of internal components such as the MCBs.

The Housemaster Compact also includes a comprehensive set of labels which cover the increasing variety of devices now controlled from the consumer unit. They include labels for bathroom showers, computers and doorbells, as well as labels which can be used to highlight such information as "installed by", "approved by" and other installation information.