Hi All,

I did mix this Q up with other questions earlier but I'd like an
answer to this one now if possible please?

The little 1 x RCD + 2 x MCB 24.99 'garage CU' sold by Screwfix.

Are the modules on a std rail so that I could move them onto a bigger
CU later if needed (or not which would explain why it is so cheap
...?).

All the best ..

T i m

T i m wrote:

The little 1 x RCD + 2 x MCB 24.99 'garage CU' sold by Screwfix.

Are the modules on a std rail so that I could move them onto a bigger
CU later if needed (or not which would explain why it is so cheap
..?).

I needed an MCB recently and bought one I'd seen in a B&Q bargain bin.
It was a different make to the box but seemed the same size, shape &
layout so I got it for £4. When I came to install it I found that it
wasn't quite right. The busbar tongue was slightly wider than the new
MCB was expecting and slightly offset forwards but the mounting clip at
the back was compatible. Ten minutes with a file and the pliers/vice
soon made the bar fit though.

--
Scott

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 10:11:56 GMT, Scott M wrote:
T i m wrote:

The little 1 x RCD + 2 x MCB 24.99 'garage CU' sold by Screwfix.

Are the modules on a std rail so that I could move them onto a bigger
CU later if needed (or not which would explain why it is so cheap
..?).

I needed an MCB recently and bought one I'd seen in a B&Q bargain bin.
It was a different make to the box but seemed the same size, shape &
layout so I got it for £4. When I came to install it I found that it
wasn't quite right. The busbar tongue was slightly wider than the new
MCB was expecting and slightly offset forwards but the mounting clip at
the back was compatible. Ten minutes with a file and the pliers/vice
soon made the bar fit though.

--
Scott

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

I had the same experience with this product ...........

Rick

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 09:04:25 +0000, in uk.d-i-y T i m
strung together this:

Hi All,

I did mix this Q up with other questions earlier but I'd like an
answer to this one now if possible please?

The little 1 x RCD + 2 x MCB 24.99 'garage CU' sold by Screwfix.

Are the modules on a std rail so that I could move them onto a bigger
CU later if needed (or not which would explain why it is so cheap
..?).

All depends which CU you're moving them into. CU's have varying busbar
arrangements, some fit others and some don't.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd.

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 12:48:04 GMT, (Lurch)
wrote:

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 09:04:25 , in uk.d-i-y T i m
strung together this:

Hi All,

I did mix this Q up with other questions earlier but I'd like an
answer to this one now if possible please?

The little 1 x RCD + 2 x MCB 24.99 'garage CU' sold by Screwfix.

Are the modules on a std rail so that I could move them onto a bigger
CU later if needed (or not which would explain why it is so cheap
..?).

All depends which CU you're moving them into. CU's have varying busbar
arrangements, some fit others and some don't.

Thanks fellas ..

I went into my local electrical place for a 6' 70W slimline flouro
today and got one for 12 + Vat?

They also had a 'garage CU' but it was 29 + Vat. I mentioned that I
had seen them about for 24.95 andf he managed 25 + Vat so I took it
;-)

I think he said it was a 'Clipseal' one? It has a little hinged
sideways opening door and seems water restistant (rubber seals
everywhere).

1 x RCD (30A? 30mA)
1 x 16 MCB
1 x 6 MCB.

If I was to get the Screwfix one for *my* garage could I replace the
16A MCB for a 32A one?

All the best ..

T i m

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 19:47:26 +0000, in uk.d-i-y T i m
strung together this:

I think he said it was a 'Clipseal'

Clipsal

one? It has a little hinged
sideways opening door and seems water restistant (rubber seals
everywhere).

1 x RCD (30A? 30mA)
1 x 16 MCB
1 x 6 MCB.

If I was to get the Screwfix one for *my* garage could I replace the
16A MCB for a 32A one?

Yep, assuming you've got the correct power into the unit and a 40A
RCD, you can change it. I'd check what you've got though, Clipsal do
25A and 40A units.
I've found that Proteus, (CEF's own brand), MCB's fit the Clipsal
garage units if the Clipsal MCB's prove troublesome to source.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd.

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 20:11:00 GMT, (Lurch)
wrote:

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 19:47:26 , in uk.d-i-y T i m
strung together this:

I think he said it was a 'Clipseal'

Clipsal

Ah ..

one? It has a little hinged
sideways opening door and seems water restistant (rubber seals
everywhere).

1 x RCD (30A? 30mA)
1 x 16 MCB
1 x 6 MCB.

If I was to get the Screwfix one for *my* garage could I replace the
16A MCB for a 32A one?

Yep, assuming you've got the correct power into the unit and a 40A
RCD, you can change it.

Ok .. Em, 'correct power into the unit'?

I'd check what you've got though, Clipsal do
25A and 40A units.

Ok, possibly 25A then .. I'll check tomorrow .. Is there much between
this Clipsal and the Volex one ?

I've found that Proteus, (CEF's own brand), MCB's fit the Clipsal
garage units if the Clipsal MCB's prove troublesome to source.

Cheers, that's handy to know ... so, not all din rail mounted modules
are created equal ..? ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

Oh. I noticed the SWA that currently goes into the fused metal switch
box (in Dad's garage) is twin core and I assume 'only' uses the armour
for the earth conductor (no sign of any additional rods etc) The new
CU is plastic cased so I assume I will have to get a new gland (or
re-use this one (?)) and an earthing washer / ring and solder / screw
a tail to it and up to the earth bar?

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 22:25:00 +0000, in uk.d-i-y T i m
strung together this:

If I was to get the Screwfix one for *my* garage could I replace the
16A MCB for a 32A one?

Yep, assuming you've got the correct power into the unit and a 40A
RCD, you can change it.

Ok .. Em, 'correct power into the unit'?

More than 32A. It'd be pointless upgrading the MCB if there isn't any
more power in the garage than say 20A from the house.

I'd check what you've got though, Clipsal do
25A and 40A units.

Ok, possibly 25A then .. I'll check tomorrow .. Is there much between
this Clipsal and the Volex one ?

Not really, they both do what they say on the tin. Both cheap units
for sticking in a garage or similar.

I've found that Proteus, (CEF's own brand), MCB's fit the Clipsal
garage units if the Clipsal MCB's prove troublesome to source.

Cheers, that's handy to know ... so, not all din rail mounted modules
are created equal ..? ;-)

Not all, some are the same\similar. Some are totally way out.

Oh. I noticed the SWA that currently goes into the fused metal switch
box (in Dad's garage) is twin core and I assume 'only' uses the armour
for the earth conductor (no sign of any additional rods etc) The new
CU is plastic cased so I assume I will have to get a new gland (or
re-use this one (?)) and an earthing washer / ring and solder / screw
a tail to it and up to the earth bar?

A 'banjo', (or earth tag), is what you want. It's like a washer with
a 20mm hole with a tag\ear on the side through which, (and the
enclosure), a nut and bolt is placed with a crimp.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd.

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 22:47:08 GMT, (Lurch)
wrote:

Ok .. Em, 'correct power into the unit'?

More than 32A. It'd be pointless upgrading the MCB if there isn't any
more power in the garage than say 20A from the house.

Course (I knew that g) and funnily was dreaming about that when I
woke up just now (3 hours early) ;-(

Ok, possibly 25A then .. I'll check tomorrow .. Is there much between
this Clipsal and the Volex one ?

Not really, they both do what they say on the tin. Both cheap units
for sticking in a garage or similar.

Ok, given more money and ignoring the number of ways / split etc, what
would *you* choose?

The new
CU is plastic cased so I assume I will have to get a new gland (or
re-use this one (?)) and an earthing washer / ring and solder / screw
a tail to it and up to the earth bar?

A 'banjo', (or earth tag), is what you want.

Doh! And I wonder what it looks like!

Thanks again mate ...

T i m

On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 05:23:25 +0000, in uk.d-i-y T i m
strung together this:

Ok, possibly 25A then .. I'll check tomorrow .. Is there much between
this Clipsal and the Volex one ?

Not really, they both do what they say on the tin. Both cheap units
for sticking in a garage or similar.

Ok, given more money and ignoring the number of ways / split etc, what
would *you* choose?

I've always used the Clipsal ones as they seem to be the ones stocked
by all my wholesalers. I can't see a problem with the Volex one, but
the Volex name has always been synonymous with rougharses. So the
Clipsal it is then.

The new
CU is plastic cased so I assume I will have to get a new gland (or
re-use this one (?)) and an earthing washer / ring and solder / screw
a tail to it and up to the earth bar?

A 'banjo', (or earth tag), is what you want.

Doh! And I wonder what it looks like!

Oh, and I've just noticed I missed a question. I'd re-use the old
gland.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd.

On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 14:02:07 GMT, (Lurch)
wrote:

I've always used the Clipsal ones as they seem to be the ones stocked
by all my wholesalers. I can't see a problem with the Volex one, but
the Volex name has always been synonymous with rougharses. So the
Clipsal it is then.

Sorted .. ;-)

The new
CU is plastic cased so I assume I will have to get a new gland (or
re-use this one (?)) and an earthing washer / ring and solder / screw
a tail to it and up to the earth bar?

A 'banjo', (or earth tag), is what you want.

Got 2 new glands today 2.45 or summat as B&Q didn't have the banjo's
on their own.


Oh, and I've just noticed I missed a question. I'd re-use the old
gland.

I noticed that the gland assy on the old unit has quite a large
diameter steel flat nut / collar that the brass gland screws into? I
might take that off and use it in the plastic CU to stop the
components biting into the plastic too far?

All the best ..

T i m