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Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
As per the subject, if one mixes MCBs and/or RCBOs of different makes
in a consumer unit is it likely to stop it conforming to IEE rules? Also I presume the new (18th edition) rules regarding flammability of CUs would only apply if one replaces a CU and are not retrospective. Adding or changing MCBs to RCBOs in an existing CU wouldn't require that the CU be upgraded to 'non flammable'. -- Chris Green · |
Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
On 06/05/2019 17:47, Chris Green wrote:
As per the subject, if one mixes MCBs and/or RCBOs of different makes in a consumer unit is it likely to stop it conforming to IEE rules? Assuming they are mechanically compatible, then there is no real practical problem. The resulting setup may not meet type approval any more, but I can't see that being a issue. Also I presume the new (18th edition) rules regarding flammability of CUs would only apply if one replaces a CU and are not retrospective. Correct. Adding or changing MCBs to RCBOs in an existing CU wouldn't require that the CU be upgraded to 'non flammable'. Yup, if you install a whole new CU then it needs to be to current standards. No requirement to change what is there. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
John Rumm wrote:
On 06/05/2019 17:47, Chris Green wrote: As per the subject, if one mixes MCBs and/or RCBOs of different makes in a consumer unit is it likely to stop it conforming to IEE rules? Assuming they are mechanically compatible, then there is no real practical problem. The resulting setup may not meet type approval any more, but I can't see that being a issue. Also I presume the new (18th edition) rules regarding flammability of CUs would only apply if one replaces a CU and are not retrospective. Correct. Adding or changing MCBs to RCBOs in an existing CU wouldn't require that the CU be upgraded to 'non flammable'. Yup, if you install a whole new CU then it needs to be to current standards. No requirement to change what is there. Thanks John, just what I needed. -- Chris Green · |
Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
On 07/05/2019 07:52, Brian Gaff wrote:
I'd be a little perturbed that CUs were even made that easily caught fire at any time in history myself. Seems a little counter intuitive to me. Its not so much that they catch fire, but more they are unable to contain one inside the CU. Even plastic CUs are required to be made from a self extinguishing material. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
On 07/05/2019 07:52, Brian Gaff wrote:
I'd be a little perturbed that CUs were even made that easily caught fire at any time in history myself. Seems a little counter intuitive to me. Brian They don't easily catch fire. They catch fire more since the requirement to fit active bits like RCDs as they are more likely to overheat than a plain fuse. |
Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
On 07/05/2019 12:43, dennis@home wrote:
On 07/05/2019 07:52, Brian Gaff wrote: I'd be a little perturbed that CUs were even made that easily caught fire at any time in history myself. Seems a little counter intuitive to me. Â* Brian They don't easily catch fire. They catch fire more since the requirement to fit active bits like RCDs as they are more likely to overheat than a plain fuse. The cause of catching fire was entirely poor workmanship by electricians - not doing up the terminal screws tightly enough (or at all in some cases). It was well researched, because it started becoming a significant problem in new installations. It wasn't failure or ageing of any of the internal components. -- Andrew |
Mixing makes of MCB and/or RCBO in a consumer unit
On 07/05/2019 21:34, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
On 07/05/2019 12:43, dennis@home wrote: On 07/05/2019 07:52, Brian Gaff wrote: I'd be a little perturbed that CUs were even made that easily caught fire at any time in history myself. Seems a little counter intuitive to me. Â* Brian They don't easily catch fire. They catch fire more since the requirement to fit active bits like RCDs as they are more likely to overheat than a plain fuse. The cause of catching fire was entirely poor workmanship by electricians - not doing up the terminal screws tightly enough (or at all in some cases). It was well researched, because it started becoming a significant problem in new installations. It wasn't failure or ageing of any of the internal components. It's now on the 18th edition EICRs that the person doing the testing has to check the tightness of the bus bar connections and check that the bus bar to the bottom of the MCBs is actually inside the MCB clamp. Here is one I found last year. http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/images/8/8d/EICRMCB.jpg Of course it well worth mentioning that this can only happen with some CU manufacturers. -- Adam |
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