From Timers to Total Protection: Timeguard Powers up with a New Range of Circuit Protection
After more than 25 years of delivering trusted electrical solutions across lighting, climate and timer controls, in addition to Wi-Fi and safety products, Timeguard is expanding its product offer with the launch of a comprehensive Circuit Protection range. This new range brings the installer focused design philosophy, that has made Timeguard a household name in the electrical industry, to circuit protection.
Meeting Modern Demands
The new range has been specifically engineered to meet the evolving needs of today's electrical installations while addressing the latest requirements of the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A3:2024). With electrical contractors increasingly focused on future-proofing installations and minimising callbacks, Timeguard's consumer units deliver the reliability and flexibility that professionals demand.
"We've designed this range with the installer firmly in mind," explains Neil Chapman, Sales Director at Timeguard. "Every feature, from the intuitive layout to the generous wiring space, has been developed to make installations smoother and more efficient while delivering the safety standards our customers expect from a trusted British electrical brand."
Comprehensive Protection at Every Level
The range provides maximum protection against short circuits, circuit overloads, and residual earth leakage through a carefully curated selection of enclosures and devices. All consumer units come factory-fitted with a Type 2 SPD (Surge Protection Device) positioned after the main switch, protecting valuable electronic equipment from transient over-voltages that can cause premature aging, damage, or destruction of connected devices.
The enclosures themselves feature a pressed cover with stylish curved visor, combining modern aesthetics with practical functionality. Multiple knockout cable entry points and clip-in grommets provide configuration flexibility, making them ideal for property upgrades and refurbishments. The raised, removable DIN rail allows cables to pass underneath, while the taller enclosure design provides generous wiring space – addressing one of contractors' most common installation challenges.
The Main Consumer Unit Enclosures
Main Switch enclosures, designed for use with RCBOs and AFDD/RCBOs, allow up to 27 independent circuits with individual protection against both overload and earth leakage. This configuration prevents nuisance tripping from other circuits, providing what many consider the safest circuit protection solution available.
Advanced Device Technology
The RCBO range includes both unidirectional solid neutral devices and bidirectional switched neutral options, with the latter being particularly relevant for modern renewable energy installations. As solar PV and battery storage systems become increasingly common, bidirectional RCBOs allow electricity to flow both from the grid to inverters/batteries and back through the consumer unit to supply other circuits or export to the grid.
Taking protection further, Timeguard's AFDD/RCBO combination devices represent the latest technology in electrical safety. These units provide all the benefits of standard RCBOs while adding detection of dangerous serial and parallel arc faults that can develop within installations. Previously undetectable arc faults resulting from damaged insulation, conductors, or loose connections can now be identified before they potentially develop into fires.
Meeting Regulatory Requirements
The range directly addresses several key areas of the 18th Edition regulations. AFDDs are now required for single-phase AC final circuits supplying socket-outlets not exceeding 32A in Higher Risk Residential Buildings, Houses in Multiple Occupation, purpose-built student accommodation, and care homes, with their use recommended for all other premises.
Similarly, the factory-fitted SPDs address Regulation 443.4.1, which mandates surge protection where over-voltage consequences could result in serious injury, loss of life, or significant financial or data loss. For other installations, SPDs must be provided unless the owner explicitly accepts the risk.
Future-Ready Solutions
With the electrical industry rapidly evolving to accommodate new technologies, Timeguard's circuit protection range is designed with tomorrow's installations in mind. The bidirectional RCBOs support not just current solar PV applications but also emerging vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology, where compatible electric vehicles can distribute stored electricity back to the home.
For air source heat pump installations – increasingly common as the industry moves toward Net Zero targets – Timeguard's technical team provides specialised consumer unit solutions to accommodate the unique requirements of modern heat pump inverters operating at switching frequencies well beyond traditional protection device specifications.
Practical Installation Benefits
Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, the range focuses on practical installation benefits that electrical contractors will appreciate. The 100A DP main switch incorporates twin screws on each incoming terminal, ensuring main tails are securely clamped. Cable strip lengths and recommended torque settings are conveniently marked on device sides, while combi-head style terminal screws and keyhole mounting slots speed up installation processes.
The floating busbar design provides greater installation flexibility, while the factory-fitted SPD with pre-connected earth and neutral cables eliminates additional wiring steps. These seemingly small details combine to significantly reduce installation time and potential error points.
Market Positioning
Entering the competitive consumer unit market, Timeguard leverages its established reputation for quality and innovation while targeting the crucial RMI (Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement) residential sector. This strategic positioning allows the company to focus on supporting domestic electricians who value reliable, well-designed products that minimise callbacks and maximise customer satisfaction.
As the electrical industry continues to evolve with new technologies and stricter safety requirements, Timeguard's Circuit Protection Range positions contractors to meet both current regulations and future challenges while maintaining the installation efficiency and reliability that successful electrical businesses depend upon.
View the Range here or enquire at your local electrical wholesaler.