1361 Board, RCBO needed (25 chars.)

[hightower]

Dad has an old 1361 cartridge fuse CU, 16th edition so lights etc aren't RCD protected. It's Wylex, but I couldn't tell you the model.

Gonna be changing some lights in the bathroom from batten to downlights, 701.411.3.3 says I need RCD protection. I've told my Dad it's probably easier and better for him to get a new board (me doing it, it's only gonna cost him materials), but I wondered if it was possible to get an RCBO to retrofit to this board - anybody know?

Thanks,

 

[westward10]

Assuming it is an old Wylex Standard board then no.

 

[Octopus]

Cheaper and better in the long run, to swap to a RCBO board.

How many circuits and I'm guessing you won't charge dad for your time?

 

[hightower]

No it's not that type, it's a typical 16th edition plastic CU with 1361 holders instead of MCBs, house was built around 2000 (my understanding is 1361 boards were very common on new builds in 2000 and 2001, must have been a dodgy deal gone on somewhere).

 

[buzzlightyear]

I would put a rcd s/fspur out side bathroom and alter the lights

 

[hightower]

How many circuits and I'm guessing you won't charge dad for your time?

Of course not haha, about 8 circuits. Think I'd just go split load if he did upgrade.

 

[westward10]

Do the 1361 modules unscrew from the busbar.

 

[hightower]

Do the 1361 modules unscrew from the busbar.

Haven't had the cover off yet, but they look like this so I'm guessing they slot in to the rail like you would expect an MCB to.

 

[Octopus]

Of course not haha, about 8 circuits. Think I'd just go split load if he did upgrade.

Why?

A 10 way populated AMD3 board with 8 RCBO's is about £120.00 - a far better solution now and in the future when a fault occurs.......

 

[hightower]

Why?

A 10 way populated AMD3 board with 8 RCBO's is about £120.00 - a far better solution now and in the future when a fault occurs.......

Is it? When I put RCBOs in mine it was closer (I think above) the £200 mark, and that was using a budget brand.

Just checked SBS prices (which I think are really reasonable) and that's £180 for 10-way, 8 RCBOs, VAT included.

 

[buzzlightyear]

how many led down light are you putting in!

 

[hightower]

how many led down light are you putting in!

4, not that it bares any relevance...

 

[buzzlightyear]

for the cost of rcd s/fuse spur and alterations in the loft
best guess tops £75 including led lights & fittings and your labour for free!

 

[westward10]

Yeah just been looking through an old Wylex catalogue and it shows the 1361 modular units you have in your pic, NSB range. A new NHX rcbo should fit but as they are compatible with NSB but it might be tight in the board.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

I believe BG are the cheapest in terms of rcbos(around the £15 mark per CB) not sure on prices of an unpolulated board but it's £120 for the Circuit breakers alone. Id imagine the board would be £100?

Could you not fit an rcd board before the main board thus protecting all circuits on an rcd. Not ideal if there is a fault.

 

[buzzlightyear]

hightower post a pic of the board !

 

[Octopus]

Could you not fit an rcd board before the main board thus protecting all circuits on an rcd. Not ideal if there is a fault.

Not an option......

 

[hightower]

hightower post a pic of the board !

Will do, heading to his tomorrow to do some other work so will be sure to grab a picture tomorrow

 

[telectrix]

borrow a wylex RCBO from local wholesaler. try it for fit. if no fit, return to supplier.

 

[hightower]

borrow a wylex RCBO from local wholesaler. try it for fit. if no fit, return to supplier.

I don't know why, but since you posted that something in my mind said "I've got a bloody Wylex RCBO in the box sitting in the back of my van". Not sure if it's 20A or 6A though, time to go check...

 

[hightower]

B16 but at least I have one to try for fit. Don't fit Wylex and forgot I had it until Tel prompted me.

 

[Midwest]

hightower post a pic of the board !

I'm with you buzz, fit a local RCD FCU. That said, if were my family, I would install a nice shiny new A3 CU. I picked up an MK 8 x RCBO CU for £120 a few months ago. If you do it now hightower, you won't have to put in an earth rod and AFDD's that you'll have to do for the 18th

PS I've only managed to retrofit one RCBO into an older CU, unless you use a lump hammer and water pump pliers.

 

[hightower]

Was there last night, but far too busy to get a photo. I'll upload as soon as I think on to take one.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Could you not fit an rcd board before the main board thus protecting all circuits on an rcd.

That's a particularly cr@p suggestion. Don't forget the division of circuits regulation (you know, single point of failure and all that).

 

[bigspark17]

Why?

A 10 way populated AMD3 board with 8 RCBO's is about £120.00 - a far better solution now and in the future when a fault occurs.......

What make and where do you get that?

Maybe we should only discuss prices in the arms tho?

 

[Midwest]

What make and where do you get that?

Maybe we should only discuss prices in the arms tho?

MK are supplying them at that price zone, if you have an account with a wholesaler, which most members of the public don't have

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

That's a particularly cr@p suggestion. Don't forget the division of circuits regulation (you know, single point of failure and all that).

Tin hat on

What about a split load board then? Does each half fail since their on one rcd?

How about a little garage board with a b6 for the lighting?
Seen loads when someone's installed a new cooker/shower with old rewirable fuses what are am3 garage boards? £30-40?

Or probably the best option of an rcd spur outside the bathroom

 

[hightower]

Just to keep everyone in the picture, I eventually installed his downlights. When I looked in the back of the van I had a spare enclosure and RCD so I put that in the garage and diverted the upstairs lighting circuit through it.