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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Circuit breakers? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1338908364 Message started by rcflyers on Jun 5^th, 2012, 3:59pm

Title: Circuit breakers?
Post by rcflyers on Jun 5^th, 2012, 3:59pm

I have just moved house and in the garage is a consumer panel but most of the fuses have been taken out and replaced with some sort of breakers. Please see picture.
They have just 2 pins on them which plug into the panel.
Are these RCD type devices or just resettable current overload type circuit breakers?
I am also not sure what the device on the right is doing either.
Thanks for any replies.

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by Lectrician on Jun 5^th, 2012, 5:27pm

The Circuit Breakers in your pic are "Miniature Circuit Breakers, or MCB's". They provide overcurrent protection only.

The Circuit Breaker to the far right of your picture is a "Residual Current Device, or RCD", also known as an "Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker or ELCB" (particularly that model). It looks as if this has been fitted for the shower circuit?

If it was me, I would be budgeting for a new consumer unit to be fitted - These days you would be looking at a Dual Split Load incorporating RCD and MCB protection as required.

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by cumbriahandyman on Jun 5^th, 2012, 7:44pm

Do you have another consumer unit in the house?

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by Lectrician on Jun 5^th, 2012, 8:08pm

wrote on Jun 5^th, 2012, 7:44pm:

Do you have another consumer unit in the house?

What makes you wonder that? I can't see anything to suggest there is?

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by cumbriahandyman on Jun 5^th, 2012, 8:15pm

Lectrician wrote on Jun 5^th, 2012, 8:08pm:

wrote on Jun 5^th, 2012, 7:44pm:

Do you have another consumer unit in the house?

What makes you wonder that? I can't see anything to suggest there is?

Just a thought as the wire to and from the RCD (in the piccy) looked a bit undersized for a shower.

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by Lectrician on Jun 5^th, 2012, 8:40pm

I thought you were going on the lack of tails :)

I reckon the cable with the RCD looks to be a 6mm² T+E, fed from one of the B32amp MCB's.

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by rcflyers on Jun 6^th, 2012, 6:55am

Thanks,
We have gas heated water for the shower, I am not sure what the unit on the right is protecting.
This is the only consumer unit in the house.
Can you give a ballpark figure to the likely cost of fitting an up to date consumer unit with better protection please?

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by Lectrician on Jun 6^th, 2012, 9:13am

It depends on so many things really, one being the state of the installation as a whole (as the new consumer unit must be certified along with the original circuits).

Around £300 is typical. Could be a little less, could be more.

There may have been an old shower prior to the gas combi boiler?

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by rcflyers on Jun 6^th, 2012, 8:06pm

Thanks, I have had a few quotes in the £300 - £350 range.

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by cumbriahandyman on Jun 6^th, 2012, 9:45pm

wrote on Jun 6^th, 2012, 8:06pm:

Thanks, I have had a few quotes in the £300 - £350 range.

Be thankful you don't live in Aylesbury, £800.00!

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/prices/electrician/consumer-unit-install.html

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by rcflyers on Jun 13^th, 2012, 8:43pm

Here's the new setup fitted on Monday for £290.

Title: Re: Circuit breakers?
Post by Lectrician on Jun 13^th, 2012, 8:49pm

Would be interested to see a shot with the cover removed (if you feel happy to do so!).

The main switch in the CU is on the wrong side, so I assume they struggled for length on the mains tails - would be nice to see how they got over that, as often not easy to simply move the mains switch from one side to the other!

Decent make CU though. Good to see some sparkies do as I do and try to steer clear of the mass market Wylex!

Here is an MK the way it usually is:

[gallery fullsize]Lectrician/1266860730.jpg[/gallery]

[gallery fullsize]Lectrician/1266860731.jpg[/gallery]