BD consumer unit main fuse and right side of RCD and MCB's burning out

[tlijl]

God morning, I fitted a 6 waysplit BG consumer unit the other day and the right side, starting at the main 100 amp switch have burnt out, literally flames and melted the fuses!!!....it is a 3 bed house with the usual mains/lighting/10kw shower etc and they have a PV system. After the meltdown I attended immediately and replaced all damaged equipment and re energized, no problems, I also disconnected the PV system in case that was causing a huge spike. Everything tested fine at 246v 50hz. After the system had been on for about 6 hours, again in the space of 5 mins it went from cool regular fuses to darn hot!!...of course I wasnt there to witness it so couldnt measure the current etc, but told the home owner to leave it off and attended AGAIN later, when all nice and cool and powered up fine!!!!....Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, and NO they dont have a cannabis farm!!!.....Jon Little....tel **********

 

[a1colly]

Loose connection in the CU?!

 

[Marvo]

Hi Jon, I've removed your phone number before you start getting an avalanche of tele-sales calls.

Are you a fully qualified electrician?

 

[Plonker 3]

What testing did you carry out before turning the power back on again?

 

[GMES]

What testing did you carry out before turning the power back on again?

This was my 1st thought, it obvious that there is a serious fault on the installation and I would not advise you keep switching it back on and Buggering off.
Get back round there kill the power and get your tester out.

 

[Octopus]

What's a 6 way split bg? Surely it should be a dual rcd?

 

[Pete999]

What's a 6 way split bg? Surely it should be a dual rcd?

I was going to ask the very same question, but I thought the OP meant a dual RCD unit it would be GOOD to known what it really is/was

 

[Engineer54]

Not sure what the OP is stating here, eg..... ''After the system had been on for about 6 hours, again in the space of 5 mins it went from cool regular fuses to darn hot!!...''

Are you saying that the PV system was turned back on after 6 hours and the breakers got hot within 5 minutes, or that breakers suddenly got hot within 5 min's after being on for 6 hours??

 

[davesparks]

You haven't done the terminals up properly!

 

[Guest77]

Have you actually used a screw driver to tighten up the terminals? if so did you use the correct driver? if so did you look at the existing installation to see what the load would be? if so did you put a clamp meter around the mains tails and switch everything on after the first fire to see what the load actually is? if so did you re-test the installation after the first time to see if any readings are different? if so did you check your tester to see if it is working, if so have you got a yellow pages? if so go to the "E" section and ring for an electrician to come along to take a look.

 

[Pete999]

Have you actually used a screw driver to tighten up the terminals? if so did you use the correct driver? if so did you look at the existing installation to see what the load would be? if so did you put a clamp meter around the mains tails and switch everything on after the first fire to see what the load actually is? if so did you re-test the installation after the first time to see if any readings are different? if so did you check your tester to see if it is working, if so have you got a yellow pages? if so go to the "E" section and ring for an electrician to come along to take a look.

But Mike mate he is an electrician????????

 

[shanky887614]

unless the house has 3 phase etc then usually the biggest that can be installed is around 4kw.

that shouldn't overload it.


remember to check factory terminals as well

 

[telectrix]

@OP. i see your location is close to me. if you're struggling i can attend and advise. this situation needs to be resolved before a tragedy occous.

 

[7029 dave]

Loose terms.:stooge_curly:

 

[telectrix]

prefer loose women myself, but each to his own.

 

[HandySparks]

unless the house has 3 phase etc then usually the biggest that can be installed is around 4kw.

Eh????

 

[Pete999]

Eh????

OP whats 3 phase etc?

 

[trev]

Everything tested fine at 246v 50hz.

That statement disturbs me mate, what other tests were carried out when the first CU was installed? It was irresponsible to re-energise this installation, there is possibly a serious fault there although my money (like others) is on loose terminals.

 

[tlijl]

Yes, by a split board I am referring to a duel RCD consumer unit...

 

[tlijl]

Trev, many thanks for your reply, there are no loose terminals and I ran a full set of tests before and after energising for the first time and more since!!...

 

[PEG]

Hi dude,if none of the OCPD's on that side of the board have tripped,and it is failing the same,in the same spot,i would go for a board build error (not necessarily your error) as on that few number of ways,you should not be easily able to overload one section to that extent. I would NOT let go of this bone without finding solutions. Even if you,yourself cannot see an anomaly on the board you have fitted,you should re-fit another board,same or otherwise,as the seriousness of this issue,warrants it. PLEASE let us know your findings.irate:

 

[tlijl]

Thanks for your comments PEG, I plan on fitting a new board tomorrow, will let you know how we go on...

 

[Knobhead]

You’ve still not said what testing you carried out before making the board live.

 

[Marvo]

Enough!!

Last 20 posts deleted.

Closed