I always wondered what the little holes are for!

[PJElectricalSW]

Found this on my travels today visiting my favourite customers. I hadn't noticed this previously and I can only assume this is the result of a recent 'solar PV service' the customer had last month.

My customer asked for my opinion as she had also not noticed the wire previously, the words 'I dunno, but summat smells fishy' were in my head and on the tip of my tongue but the what came out was "F*ck, that looks ropey as!".

I assume this isn't standard practice to wedge a wire in with a fancy twist to get the 3 phase solar PV to trip. Should the correct item should be a 3 Phase 16A MCB rather than 3 tied together?

 

[Strima]

Cheaper than a bar link.

 

[Toneyz]

Is that a 3 phase MCB or 3x S.P.MCB's?

 

[Phil Thompson]

3x single pole mcbs with a bit of wire ran between the lockout holes as a makeshift conversion to TP

 

[Toneyz]

3x single pole mcbs with a bit of wire ran between the lockout holes as a makeshift conversion to TP

Just was comparing it with the S.P. ones in the D.B. but I suppose they are an older version.

 

[Phil Thompson]

Just was comparing it with the S.P. ones in the D.B. but I suppose they are an older version.

They’re RCBO’s by looks of them.

 

[Deleted account]

Never seen that before. Is it allowed? Does the design of mcb's allow this?

 

[professional]

Linking three devices in such a way is not acceptable as they form an untested assembly.

How would the installer certify compliance? - but then again, PV installers often feel that BS7671 is not applicable to them, a bit like plumbers.

 

[richy3333]

They’re not RCBO’s and it’s just a poor hack to avoid, for whatever reason in using the correct parts?

 

[Deleted account]

They’re not RCBO’s

They look like RCBOs to me. I can see the test button.

 

[Silly Sausage]

They look like RCBOs to me. I can see the test button.

I'd go and get your eyes tested then!
Technical Properties NCN116A - https://www.hager.co.uk/product-catalogue/energy-distribution/protection-devices/mcbs/1-4-pole-mcbs-10ka-type-b-c-d-nbn-ncn-ndn/ncn116a/92304.htm

 

[Toneyz]

They look like RCBOs to me. I can see the test button.

Regarding the other protective devices yes your right they are RCBO's didn't look correctly but I thought that the newest devices had a larger toggle switch like the linked ones.

 

[Deleted account]

I'd go and get your eyes tested then!
Technical Properties NCN116A - https://www.hager.co.uk/product-catalogue/energy-distribution/protection-devices/mcbs/1-4-pole-mcbs-10ka-type-b-c-d-nbn-ncn-ndn/ncn116a/92304.htm

Your link takes me straight to mcb's.
But they are definately RCBO,s next to the 3 phase thing/ 3 mcb's

 

[richy3333]

Your link takes me straight to mcb's.
But they are definately RCBO,s next to the 3 phase thing/ 3 mcb's

Nice attempt to dodge the bullet of being wrong! Why point out what the other PDs are when the op is referring to the MCBs? I’m very confused

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Haha i have done this before when caught out mis ordering breakers On a out of hours dist board change in a factory. I did of course return as soon as i could with the correct MCB.

 

[Phil Thompson]

The discussion on mcb and rcbos is about what’s beside the 3x SPMCB’s linked together as to why they both look different.

From this quoted posted.

Just was comparing it with the S.P. ones in the D.B. but I suppose they are an older version.

And I said I think they’re rcbos.

 

[PJElectricalSW]

Thanks for replies chaps.

If you hadn't of guessed already, I know naff all about PV. Could anyone explain what this workaround is trying to achieve?

What would happen if the link isn't in and a single phase drops off? Would the invertor be damaged or just a lack of balanced power back to the grid/less generated power being fed back/less income?

 

[Toneyz]

I stand corrected they are RCBO's next to the 3 x S.P. MCB's and the RCBO toggle is smaller than the MCBs hope that clarifies that. The 3 x MCB's have a makeshift link that has not been type tested to operate in simulation.

 

[Deleted account]

Nice attempt to dodge the bullet of being wrong! Why point out what the other PDs are when the op is referring to the MCBs? I’m very confused

Not dodging anything, as you say your a little confused.
Anthony brag was compairing them with the other single pole devices in post 5.
But Phil Thompson correctly pointed out they where RCBO,s in post 6. I agreed with Phil Thompson.

 

[Deleted account]

Ok sorry guys. Especially rich 333. I'm being a bit pedantic with tongue in cheek.
I knew fine well what everyone was refering to, but I couldnt resist confusing matters.