I am fitting a new dual CU that comes with 10MCBs. For those that are unused is it acceptable to just leave them installed but switched off and identified as unused. Or should they be removed and replaced with blanks?
- Thread starter seftonbarn
- Start date
S
sparky-s-w
i keep them installed, as the customers usually like the idea that they have got spare breakers.
and for my sins i keep them switched on, customers usualy only need to access the board to re-set a trip, if spare breakers are down aswell can confuse the clueless.
im sure that iff they are installed correctly then theres no issues, may be wrong
and for my sins i keep them switched on, customers usualy only need to access the board to re-set a trip, if spare breakers are down aswell can confuse the clueless.
im sure that iff they are installed correctly then theres no issues, may be wrong
S
Swicade
I'd remove them and install blanks personaly.....unless anyone ask's for them to be left as spare.
It is handy to go to a board with alot of spare MCB's in place when adding extra circuits BUT on the flip side if at a later date someone needs an extra circuit fitted there's a good chance i have a spare MCB in the van to use (of the right make of course) which i can charge for....if MCB is already there can charge for it (conscience wont let me)
It is handy to go to a board with alot of spare MCB's in place when adding extra circuits BUT on the flip side if at a later date someone needs an extra circuit fitted there's a good chance i have a spare MCB in the van to use (of the right make of course) which i can charge for....if MCB is already there can charge for it (conscience wont let me)
Tel the only place for clip in blanks is the bin they should be banned I fit din mounted always they cant fall out.
J
i totally agree, but most CUs come with the clip in ones or none at all. as malc. says, if the customer has paid for a fully loaded board then he gets a fully loaded board.
S
sparky-s-w
yep i put these with all my domestic CCU changes, as customers cant read the labeled circuits, and scam assesors always pull me up on it if i forget.:tounge_smile:
O
Octopus
Lucky to find a new CU labelled round here let alone a circuit chart
Yep tel I would leave unused breakers in rather than clip in blanks,they give you that stupid plastic bus bar cover to protect your pinkys when the board cover is off then provide a nice finger sized hole when the blanks fall out I would like to see the return of insulated bus bars so you just nip off the plastic where it goes in to the breaker
J
J
Yes, good point. Those blanks can be a bit hit and miss.
I know a couple of very experienced sparks that have had a warning from the scam assessors about this it's a minor they still got their ticket but hey ho
J
Yes of course. Not really sure what this has got to do with the thread though.
Sorry hadn't realised you were policing the forum.
My comment was in reference to how the thread develops and the need for labelling and charts, as the OP mentioned 'Identifying' unused circuits.
Next time I want to post something I will run it by you first ..:32:
J
O
oldtimer
The manufacturer should make a plastic clip say blue in colour and then you switch off all the MCBs not in use so the customer can see the ones that are in use with the blue clip indicating not used. I tend to go along the road of putting blanks in then giveing the spares to the customer (yes I know they will get lost) but some just leave them on top of the CU and they think it is good customer service
D
Deleted member 9648
we prefer to remove unused MCB's and fit blanks....that way it's obvious to even the uninitiated which ways are in use. One of my pet hates is those who scrawl 'SPARE' across an unused way,making it impossible to write on the label in the future if the way is used. If a blank is installed it's obvious it has no function....if you leave an unused MCB in there it's not....hence the inevitable 'SPARE' scrawled by some.:-------:
J
Johnny-G
I never leave unused ones in but always use DIN mounted blanking plates so they can't come off.
Leaving unused ones in just confuses some people believe it or not.
I always mark as BLANK on the EIC but nothing on the board itself in case the space is needed in the future, if the customer requests a spare put in then SPARE & rating, type etc is on the EIC again with nothing on the board.
If you do leave one in, always make it clear on the EIC what it is to cover yo ---.
Leaving unused ones in just confuses some people believe it or not.
I always mark as BLANK on the EIC but nothing on the board itself in case the space is needed in the future, if the customer requests a spare put in then SPARE & rating, type etc is on the EIC again with nothing on the board.
If you do leave one in, always make it clear on the EIC what it is to cover yo ---.
Sorry, didn't mean to offend. Thanks for the response. There are some out there that use forums such as this to show off their knowledge of the regulations and take every opportunity to post comments that imply that others know nothing of the regs. The info you posted, though not directly related to the original OP was, I agree, of value. Thank you.
O
oldtimer
A bit like the MEM 2000 board I was called out to only to find the shower switch wired up the wrong way and the shower circuit wired in with the kitchen ring and yes this board was fitted in the days when you bought the MCBs separately plus when Wylex does that deal with the sockets and the 5 extra MCBs thrown in why are they all 32A and where are you going to put them as the CU supplied is already full ?
We do the same as you Wirepuller , but leave the spares on top of the board as that way they tend not to get lost , also as and when that particular model of breaker is superseded the client has at least a chance of not having to replace the whole board if the parts are either extortionate or in short demand !
And I'm with you when it comes to writing spare all over the board ! Why do it ?
L
Lucas
I take them out and put decent blanks in, i only fit Hager boards so I can always get hold of good blanks. Personally I think It's rough to leave unused MCB's in. If your concerned about the customer having paid for them then give them to the customer instead of leaving them in the board.
S
sparky-s-w
why is it rough, there is no safety isue and regards asthetics, well i recon fully loaded looks beter than with blanks.
1
1shortcircuit
I ALWAYS remove and only for one reason... To stop silly DIYers taking a new circuit into a spare breaker.
Here's an example.
My consumer unit cupboard is rather dark... I know, I'll wire a light in there. That working on a fuseboard looks really easy after watching that spark. It's only a few wires it'll be fine.
Yep, until those few pieces of a 1.5mm scrap cable, ancient light and switch found in the garage end up in a 32A breaker.... One day... BOOM!!!!, neee naaaaa neeeee naaaaaa. Oh hello fireman Sam, not sure what that electrician did when he was here but my fuse board is on fire now, Plleeeeeeeeaaaaase Help????
Here's an example.
My consumer unit cupboard is rather dark... I know, I'll wire a light in there. That working on a fuseboard looks really easy after watching that spark. It's only a few wires it'll be fine.
Yep, until those few pieces of a 1.5mm scrap cable, ancient light and switch found in the garage end up in a 32A breaker.... One day... BOOM!!!!, neee naaaaa neeeee naaaaaa. Oh hello fireman Sam, not sure what that electrician did when he was here but my fuse board is on fire now, Plleeeeeeeeaaaaase Help????
I don't fit MCB's in the spaces for reasons mostly noted above
The other reason is cost- why fit an MCB to a board just coz you have given a price, that's like saying i've left you with 50m of cable coz I over estimated when you finish a rewire.
I fit blanks and point them to the customer as a bonus "look these parts (pointing to the blanks) are there incase you want to add something in later. I always like to fit consumer units with enough space for extras"
That way the customer is feeling fine and you have explained why the blanks are there.
I buy Hager din rail blanks as I don't like the cover mounting ones.
The other reason is cost- why fit an MCB to a board just coz you have given a price, that's like saying i've left you with 50m of cable coz I over estimated when you finish a rewire.
I fit blanks and point them to the customer as a bonus "look these parts (pointing to the blanks) are there incase you want to add something in later. I always like to fit consumer units with enough space for extras"
That way the customer is feeling fine and you have explained why the blanks are there.
I buy Hager din rail blanks as I don't like the cover mounting ones.
I always remove any MCB's and keep them and then install blanks (preferably the dummy MCB ones). This way it doesn't confuse people and you don't have to write the MCB/Fuses deatils for the spare way on the test results. You can just write blank and put a line through it!
M
malcolmsanford
I'm so glad you pointed that out to me after all these years .......................
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