Melty goodness :D

[D Skelton]

Can anyone else explain how three MCB's could get fused together like this? And when I say 'fused', I mean even ramming a screwdriver between them couldn't break them apart!

My thoughts are a loose/incorrect connection to the busbar. Mind you, you'd have at least thought they would have tripped long before reaching this state.

Also, note to any of you who come across anything similar, bag it up before it goes in the van otherwise it'll stink to high heaven of the worlds worst and most pungent smell for weeks!

 

[lockhes]

Had exactly the same thing few years ago on Wylex fuses

Like you I couldn't understand why it never tripped and I'm guessing the plastic has melted together

 

[oldtimer]

Me thinks you have found the recall MCBs from Wylex / Electrium so buy new ones keep the receipt and then make a claim to Electrium for the £75 payment to change them.

 

[jdd]

What was connected to the middle MCB? (including load details.)

 

[parker56]

Looks like loose connection on the B16 mcb

 

[Philpot]

If the load is too high then the CB should have tripped but I would like to look at the bus bar to see if the cb connections to that were really tight and in the right place. mind you I like "Oldtimers" idea best. There could be an internal poor connection in the CB.

 

[D Skelton]

What was connected to the middle MCB? (including load details.)

Immersion

 

[static zap]

Does look like middle of sandwich did most of the melting ! :greedy:

 

[SPARTYKUS]

16's were part of the recall. Check the code on the side if you can get to it!

 

[telectrix]

it's either a bad termination or a possible recall MCD by electrium. if the latter, get the batch number off the mcb, and then claim through the electrium recall scheme.

 

[jeremy]

Extra-box thinking maybe, but might it have been an extremely low Ze/ super high scc or would that have blown the casing apart?

 

[D Skelton]

Shame all of you are all talking about procuct recalls and refunds. I binned the lot a few days ago Coulda paid for a few beers

 

[Marvo]

I would say it looks like an internal problem. If that was what the recall was about I'm not surprised, they're a fire hazard.

 

[oldtimer]

Shame all of you are all talking about procuct recalls and refunds. I binned the lot a few days ago Coulda paid for a few beers

I am surprised you never made the connection as it has been talked about on the forum countless times

 

[D Skelton]

I must admit I haven't paid that much attention as of late. 1. I've been too busy, and 2. A massive influx of keyboard warriors recently hasn't inspired much confidence in me to keep active

note to self, I must pay more attention! :6:

 

[Knobhead]

That’s an internal fault. Give the bus-bar a clean and replace the MCB’s.

 

[Swicade]

I'd hazard a guess that the reason they didn't trip is because that's the busbar side of the connection (incoming) and the overload state is only monitored on the out going side.

Main problem of the meltdown is more than likely due to the recall issue as already stated.

 

[Knobhead]

I'd hazard a guess that the reason they didn't trip is because that's the busbar side of the connection (incoming) and the overload state is only monitored on the out going side.

A MCB can’t determine which way the current is travelling. If current flows from the bus-bar it’s got to be going somewhere, it will be measured whatever.


View attachment 13421

 

[Marvo]

I doubt the burning on MCB's as shown would have caused an overload current. At best, occasionally the heat from a poor termination or an internal fault may carry through into the mechanism and cause the thermal sensor to initiate tripping.

 

[TomandLesley]

Hi
did you know that Electrium have closed the recall scheme?
There must be loads of duff MCBs still out there!