can i get a rcbo/rcd breaker for this old wylex board ?

srl-8 · Mar 11, 2012

Hi guys, not seen to many of these boards and wondered if it is possible to get a 6a rcbo for it?? I trying to saving the customer money, and not change the board for a ful rcd. It is for a bathroom alteration...

thanks

telectrix · Mar 11, 2012

fit a stand alone RCD/RCBO next to the CU.

edit: don't forget to check/upgrade earthing and bonding.

Spudnik · Mar 11, 2012

No...

You could just take a feed from the circuit fuse, into an RCD spur, then take the circuit from the spur.

I would guess that of the installation is that old, earthing may also need looking at.

Good luck.

Edit - Tel beat me to it

srl-8 · Mar 11, 2012

yep, can you that, would have to fit a henley block though to feed the new unit...... again, just looking at cheapest option....

thanks,

Octopus · Mar 11, 2012

Why would you need a henley block?

plugsandsparks · Mar 11, 2012

I hate those boards, who allowed the design of plug in breakers that the cover does not fit afterwards, they look terrible and should be replaced PDQ. I did a couple after getting a deal at B&Q, they had new wylex 17th boards on offer at £70 inc full set of breakers, i would try and convince the client to spend just a little more and get full house benefit of RCD. There are always deals around would price both up -

Engineer54 · Mar 11, 2012

plugsandsparks said:
I hate those boards, who allowed the design of plug in breakers that the cover does not fit afterwards, they look terrible and should be replaced PDQ. I did a couple after getting a deal at B&Q, they had new wylex 17th boards on offer at £70 inc full set of breakers, i would try and convince the client to spend just a little more and get full house benefit of RCD. There are always deals around would price both up -

Nothing wrong with these boards as such!! Replacement covers have been available from the very outset of the availability of the plug-in MCB's and are still available today.... I'm not saying they meet present day requirements, and probably need changing out now in a domestic setting, but these SAME CU's have been around probably for longer than you have, and still available today!! lol!! How many of these modern CU's will ever be able to match that sort of record?? Couldn't of been that much wrong with them... :wink_smile:

srl-8 · Mar 11, 2012

Murdoch said:
Why would you need a henley block?

Well, i presumed you would need to feed the new sub board from something, I.e. main tails into hanley block (which is not there currently) then from the block to the old board and new sub board. Then I can take the 6a circuit from the old and re-wire into the new...?? make sence..?

telectrix · Mar 11, 2012

feed the RCD from the CU, there.s a spare way .

srl-8 · Mar 11, 2012

oh, cool,.. yes that would work... just need to get another breaker ? any idea where to look ?

tony mc · Mar 11, 2012

Most suppliers sell them !

Octopus · Mar 11, 2012

Or you could take the cable for the lighting circuit out of the CU and into a FCU RCD, then a new cable from the FCU RCD into the existing breaker.

plugsandsparks · Mar 11, 2012

Engineer54 said:
Nothing wrong with these boards as such!! Replacement covers have been available from the very outset of the availability of the plug-in MCB's and are still available today.... I'm not saying they meet present day requirements, and probably need changing out now in a domestic setting, but these SAME CU's have been around probably for longer than you have, and still available today!! lol!! How many of these modern CU's will ever be able to match that sort of record?? Couldn't of been that much wrong with them... :wink_smile:

Well i never, you know i have never seen a cover that fits once the re-wireables have been changed to MCBs, nearly all the DBs run without a cover or best i have seen is one where someone carefully cut out the old cover so it would fit. In the middle of a EICR which has two of these, if they are available then both the OP and i can get some, no idea where from though, i can just imagine the conversation i would have with wholesaler.

srl-8 · Mar 11, 2012

Murdoch said:
Or you could take the cable for the lighting circuit out of the CU and into a FCU RCD, then a new cable from the FCU RCD into the existing breaker.

Now that is a brillant idea!, I didn't think of that! cheers..

Knobhead · Mar 11, 2012

plugsandsparks said:
Well i never, you know i have never seen a cover that fits once the re-wireables have been changed to MCBs, nearly all the DBs run without a cover or best i have seen is one where someone carefully cut out the old cover so it would fit. In the middle of a EICR which has two of these, if they are available then both the OP and i can get some, no idea where from though, i can just imagine the conversation i would have with wholesaler.

If you look at one of the old covers you will find there’s a knock out section in the middle. A careful tap and it would drop out, no need for cutting.