I was looking inside my Hager CU today and noticed that two of the
MCBs have their positive terminals linked by a purpose-made copper
link made of pressed sheet copper (covered by a removable white
plastic insulator. Additional MCBs, added more recently, for
subsequent circuits are linked by short lengths of 10 sq mm cable with
red insulation. Is this OK, or should all the MCBs be linked in the
same way?

Thank you.

Axel

In article ,
Axel G Axel writes:

I was looking inside my Hager CU today and noticed that two of the
MCBs have their positive terminals linked by a purpose-made copper
link made of pressed sheet copper (covered by a removable white
plastic insulator. Additional MCBs, added more recently, for
subsequent circuits are linked by short lengths of 10 sq mm cable with
red insulation. Is this OK, or should all the MCBs be linked in the
same way?

It might be OK, but can you post a pointer to a photo?

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Axel G Axel wrote:

I was looking inside my Hager CU today and noticed that two of the
MCBs have their positive terminals linked by a purpose-made copper
link made of pressed sheet copper (covered by a removable white
plastic insulator.


You have a DC supply to the house?

The copper "comb" is the one provided by the manufacturer for commoning
the line input to the MCB. Usually every MCB is fed from the same comb.

Additional MCBs, added more recently, for subsequent circuits are linked
by short lengths of 10 sq mm cable with red insulation. Is this OK, or
should all the MCBs be linked in the same way?

It seems as if someone didn't have access to the original installation
kit or couldn't be bothered to buy the part, and has simply used what
was to hand when wiring in extra MCBs. AFAIK it's not a problem, it's
just not as neat as using the correct part.

"Steve Firth" wrote in message
...
Axel G Axel wrote:

I was looking inside my Hager CU today and noticed that two of the
MCBs have their positive terminals linked by a purpose-made copper
link made of pressed sheet copper (covered by a removable white
plastic insulator.


You have a DC supply to the house?

The copper "comb" is the one provided by the manufacturer for commoning
the line input to the MCB. Usually every MCB is fed from the same comb.

Additional MCBs, added more recently, for subsequent circuits are linked
by short lengths of 10 sq mm cable with red insulation. Is this OK, or
should all the MCBs be linked in the same way?

It seems as if someone didn't have access to the original installation
kit or couldn't be bothered to buy the part, and has simply used what
was to hand when wiring in extra MCBs. AFAIK it's not a problem, it's
just not as neat as using the correct part.


All MCBs will not be on the same bar if it is a split load type. All modern
consumer units are split load type. Some are fed from the main switch and
some from the RCD. There shouldn't be any problem if it's working. You can
buy the appropriate piece of copper bar for a few pounds from electrical
wholesalers. 10mm cable will take the 45A required for some showers for
example.
Put the lower rated MCBs at the end of the chain if you see what I mean.

All MCBs will not be on the same bar if it is a split load type. All
modern consumer units are split load type. Some are fed from the main
switch and some from the RCD. There shouldn't be any problem if it's
working. You can buy the appropriate piece of copper bar for a few pounds
from electrical wholesalers. 10mm cable will take the 45A required for
some showers for example.
Put the lower rated MCBs at the end of the chain if you see what I mean.



Beg to differ but all consumer units are not split.


--
Regards

Stephen Dawson
Fox Electrical Services Ltd
www.foxelectrical.co.uk