80amp cut out, 63amp main switch....

[Marcus Vaughan]

Hi all,

I recently carried out an EICR on a two up two down terrace. The cut out out has a sticker on it saying 80 amp. The main switch of the consumer unit is rated at 63 amp.

Cleared all the C2 faults but stuck with this.

No - I didn't break the seals to check!

I did, however, phone the DNO, who offered to 'pay a complimentary visit to check the condition of the service head', but I get the impression that they may not change the fuse to 60amp (not their fault consumer unit switch is 63amp).

It's all a bit daft. The load on the house is tiny. No electric shower, no electric oven - just lights and sockets.

Seems stupid to uprate the main switch - and there is no isolator either....

See what happens when they visit - but I just wanted to close this job out.

I suspect others have had similar situations - I wonder how this is going to pan out?

 

[Octopus]

I wouldn't even comment on it unless I thought the load of the installation was a problem.

There are millions of homes with old fuseboards with such a configuration

 

[westward10]

Not knowing the fuse size you can only list it as Not Verified. That switch will never exceed its rating.

 

[Dave OCD]

I can't see any problem, the devices only have to be able to cope with the current drawn within the installation, as Murdoch said there must be millions of homes just like this and also many old Wylex units rated at 60a max.

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

Kind of what I thought. Thanks for the reassurances.

I use I-Certify software and it flagged it up when I just typed in the 80amp/63amp.

I was going to hold on to the EICR - but it sounds like I am being over cautious.

I think they are paying a visit on the 1st Feb....

 

[westward10]

How do you know the one in the CU is 63A, the rating plate which fits over the test button is missing. This plate also indicates the purpose of the button.

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

Sticker below the switch - load not to exceed 63amps.

Good spot with rating plate over the test button..

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

How do you know the one in the CU is 63A, the rating plate which fits over the test button is missing. This plate also indicates the purpose of the button.

Just realised what you saying....
Switch may have been changed out in the past for RCD main switch.

Bugger.

 

[suffolkspark]

ive never seen one of those boards with an rcd in before!

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

Bugger. Bugger.

 

[ipf]

Bugger. Bugger.

Bigger. Bigger.......you mean

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

Bigger. Bigger.......you mean

Possibly. Not sure I can tell from 8 chuffing miles away!

Someone is going to have to re-visit...

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

http://srselectrical.co.uk/image/cache/data/SRS Electrical/DSC00621-500x500.jpg

Or smaller. This one is 40 amp.

 

[ipf]

Possibly. Not sure I can tell from 8 chuffing miles away!

Someone is going to have to re-visit...

I'd say it's time to work out your maximum demand.....and make a decision

 

[westward10]

From the Part No on the cover the rcd does belong in there, the give away being the 63A rating on the cover label as a non rcd board would state 60A. You don't actually know if it is 30ma, it could be a dodgy 100ma tripping below its rating

 

[Dave OCD]

Possibly. Not sure I can tell from 8 chuffing miles away!

Someone is going to have to re-visit...

Chuffing, my old mate from Maltby used to say that all the time, as well as other things,worked with him for 24 years then he passed away suddenly last year, the post just made me think of poor old Frank.

 

[ipf]

Chuffing, my old mate from Maltby used to say that all the time, as well as other things,worked with him for 24 years then he passed away suddenly last year, the post just made me think of poor old Frank.

RIP Frank...........even if you were a yorky.

 

[westward10]

Things that are certain, it is highly unlikely a six way Wylex standard board came fitted with an isolator rated less than 60/63A. Assuming the cover fitted is the correct cover then it should be 63A and you should be able to check the originality of the rcd by checking the outgoing terminals as Wylex often dabbed white paint on them. As for the 30ma, who knows.

 

[Marcus Vaughan]

From the Part No on the cover the rcd does belong in there, the give away being the 63A rating on the cover label as a non rcd board would state 60A. You don't actually know if it is 30ma, it could be a dodgy 100ma tripping below its rating

That’s top drawer helpful information.
Thankyou.

I guess it will have to be 63 amp and ‘not verified’ for the tripping current.

 

[westward10]

It almost certainly is 30ma but you can never be certain.