A recent electrical inspection /test of an industrial premises owned
by my parents says:-

Crabtree MCbs BS3871 cat M3. Have no type number, recommend replacing

does not comply with BS7671...


My question is.. are they obsolete???





--
Richard

richard wrote:

A recent electrical inspection /test of an industrial premises owned
by my parents says:-

Crabtree MCbs BS3871 cat M3. Have no type number, recommend replacing

does not comply with BS7671...

Pah!

My question is.. are they obsolete???

Obsolescent, perhaps - their catalogue says this:

"The tried and trusted Magnetic/Hydraulic mechanism
of the C50 remains as before, albeit in a slightly
reduced range. The Enclosure system for the C50
MCBs however, is undergoing some dramatic change.
The old enclosure system with separate Enclosure/
Interior and ‘dished front plates is being phased out.
Current stocks, once exhausted, will not be replaced.
The New C50 Enclosure System will utilise a modern
style enclosure with doors fitted as standard, but will
only be available in assembled format with 100A
or 200A Incoming Isolators prefitted."

Download the industrial circuit protection catalogue section from he
http://www.electrium.co.uk/download.asp#pos_crabtree

--
Andy

"Andy Wade" wrote in message
...
richard wrote:

A recent electrical inspection /test of an industrial premises owned
by my parents says:-

Crabtree MCbs BS3871 cat M3. Have no type number, recommend replacing

does not comply with BS7671...

Pah!

My question is.. are they obsolete???

Obsolescent, perhaps - their catalogue says this:

"The tried and trusted Magnetic/Hydraulic mechanism
of the C50 remains as before, albeit in a slightly
reduced range. The Enclosure system for the C50
MCBs however, is undergoing some dramatic change.
The old enclosure system with separate Enclosure/
Interior and ‘dished front plates is being phased out.
Current stocks, once exhausted, will not be replaced.
The New C50 Enclosure System will utilise a modern
style enclosure with doors fitted as standard, but will
only be available in assembled format with 100A
or 200A Incoming Isolators prefitted."

Download the industrial circuit protection catalogue section from he
http://www.electrium.co.uk/download.asp#pos_crabtree

--
Andy

So basically the answer is yes the C50 is obselete and the breakers are
expensive to get anyway.

Stephen Dawson wrote:

So basically the answer is yes the C50 is obselete and the breakers are
expensive to get anyway.

The breakers are still listed in the current manufacturer's catalogue
and are available from wholesalers and several web sites. They're now
made to BS EN 60898 (Type C, M4.5) not the old BS 3871. I wouldn't call
that obsolete. Nor do I see any particular need to replace them in an
older installation which was designed and wired before BS 7671 even
existed (during 14th or 15th Edition eras, most probably) - provided
there's no evidence of damage or deterioration of course.

--
Andy