most reliable rcd to convert this consumer unit?

[einstein]

salutations

thinking of converting this with a main rcd over individual rcbo's as theres two spare ways

they have specified only the socket circuits to be rcd protected however....

are the screwfix cheapies reliable?

also is it possible to buy a mcb cover for the mighty proteus anymore?

thanks for your time

 

[Pete999]

Proteus = carp=trouble imo ask your friendly CEF store

 

[westward10]

Proteus board, Proteus devices.

 

[Andy78]

Anything is better than Proteus, although I personally would vouch for the reliability of Hager.

RCD main switch ?
Only some circuits to be RCD protected ?

Just swap the whole unit and do it properly.

 

[einstein]

Normally i would fit a new consumer unit however it being metal clad & glanded in also a finished refurbishment it seems overkill.(famous last words)

I wouldn't want to create more costs for the client that could ultimately hire someone cheaper

is hager a like for like replacement?

 

[Andy78]

Normally i would fit a new consumer unit however it being metal clad & glanded in also a finished refurbishment it seems overkill.(famous last words)

I wouldn't want to create more costs for the client that could ultimately hire someone cheaper

is hager a like for like replacement?

No Hager is not a like for like replacement and you should not mix and match brands and patterns anyway.

If the client won't pay for a proper job that's hardly your fault or problem. I would argue it's not a finished refurb if electrical work is still required. I really don;t see any issues with changing the above unit from the provided picture though.

If you need to add RCD protection to some circuits but don't want to swap the CU, provide an alternative way of doing this external to the CU.

 

[telectrix]

if you only want to RCD the socket circuits, then fit proteus RCBOs to those circuits. simple, cheap, compliant. next....

 

[Octopus]

If its a refurb ............... what else has been changed ?

I would swap the lot for a 100A DP switch and individual RCBO's.....

 

[123]

Agree with @telectrix fit Proteus RCBO's to whatever circuits require RCD protection. Looks like loads of space in that consumer unit for them

If customer doesn't like the cost walk away, don't cut corners and become the cowboy.

 

[einstein]

tbh i'm struggling to find a main proteus 30mA rcd?

I'd prefer to have everything covered by a main RCD than costly RCBO's (materials at cost)

 

[Andy78]

tbh i'm struggling to find a main proteus 30mA rcd?

I'd prefer to have everything covered by a main RCD than costly RCBO's (materials at cost)

But how will that comply with the regulations or even serve to be a functional solution ?
If the customer cannot afford a few RCBOs they cannot afford any work done. End of.

 

[Octopus]

tbh i'm struggling to find a main proteus 30mA rcd?

I'd prefer to have everything covered by a main RCD than costly RCBO's (materials at cost)

Rubbish.

RCBO's are far far better, and that way you can comply with the regs.

What has been done to this place?

So they can afford a refurb but not enough for the electrics ...

 

[westward10]

Am I reading your first post correct that you intend to use the two spare ways to fit this main switch rcd.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I've fitted quite a bit of proteus in domestics and while it's nowhere near the best properly fitted it's just as reliable as anything else.I cant recall a single instance of a failed component on one I've installed. I'd fit it over Hager with it's junk busbar arrangement all day.
The industrial stuff is best avoided though.

 

[einstein]

Am I reading your first post correct that you intend to use the two spare ways to fit this main switch rcd.

yes, jostle the original mcb's down two places haha

 

[cprfenom]

By the time you buy an RCCB or RCBO's you are not a million miles off buying a populated board from someone like BG or Wylex.

I have to agree with Andy78 and say there is no point doing a job for the sake of it. Spec it appropriately and quote your labour! If someone wants to get it done cheaper then that is up to you, but do it properly! For your piece of mind at the very least!!

 

[westward10]

yes, jostle the original mcb's down two places haha

Well along with the rcd you will need a manufactured busbar, another neutral bar for which there may not be a position to fit it and the flexible links to supply the rcd / neutral bar. Get rcbos.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

By the time you buy an RCCB or RCBO's you are not a million miles off buying a populated board from someone like BG or Wylex.

I have to agree with Andy78 and say there is no point doing a job for the sake of it. Spec it appropriately and quote your labour! If someone wants to get it done cheaper then that is up to you, but do it properly! For your piece of mind at the very least!!

I've not used BG.....but Wylex! Absolutely pants. A busbar designed to make it likely that mcb's are not properly clamped, and the whole assembly moves on the din rail during installation without you realising.....until you try and fit the lid.

 

[Midwest]

I've used the Wylex fixed busbar CU's, thought they better than most? See Rexel are now trying to sell BG CU's in my local wholesalers. I'll draw the line there though.

 

[rolyberkin]

I may get shot down but if I am working on an old board and need parts to match I discuss with the client and then buy them second hand from eBay. I had a proteus board recently with a burnt out RCD, incorrectly sized MCB and damaged isolator, By the time I had replaced the damaged RCD, broken main isolator and 3 x MCB's the customer could have bought a new board (it was an earlier series than the current ones which CEF stock), they just didn't want to pay to have a new board fitted. In my mind it was a false economy but thats what they wanted, they are happy.

 

[123]

yes, jostle the original mcb's down two places haha

What Electrical Work has been done on this refurb?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I may get shot down but if I am working on an old board and need parts to match I discuss with the client and then buy them second hand from eBay. I had a proteus board recently with a burnt out RCD, incorrectly sized MCB and damaged isolator, By the time I had replaced the damaged RCD, broken main isolator and 3 x MCB's the customer could have bought a new board (it was an earlier series than the current ones which CEF stock), they just didn't want to pay to have a new board fitted. In my mind it was a false economy but thats what they wanted, they are happy.

You should go very careful buying vital protective components from ebay, how do you know they are not copies, re-labelled or damaged/tampered with internally and potentially dangerous?

 

[rolyberkin]

You should go very careful buying vital protective components from ebay, how do you know they are not copies, re-labelled or damaged/tampered with internally and potentially dangerous?

I think you have to take a sensible approach and ask would someone really be producing a no longer produced MCB/RCD, I use commercial sellers who are reselling materials which have been pulled out of installations. It is a once in a blue moon situation but personally I would rather take my chance with a second hand original equipment component rather than be putting in mismatched MCB's or RCD's. I have put in brand new components which have failed within 24 hours and were potentially dangerous.

 

[telectrix]

I've used the Wylex fixed busbar CU's, thought they better than most? See Rexel are now trying to sell BG CU's in my local wholesalers. I'll draw the line there though.

what's wrong with BG? I've used loads and had no problems.

 

[rolyberkin]

I like the BG CU's actually feels like they have some weight and build quality to them, had a failed MCB though for a job I did for a mate 40 miles away which didn't impress!

 

[Octopus]

What Electrical Work has been done on this refurb?

Despite asking this earlier the op seemingly doesn't want to tell us, despite being on here recently

 

[NDG Elecs]

what's wrong with BG? I've used loads and had no problems.

I've had multiple failures of RCDs or MCBs Tel. Either trip times not being met or cage clamps failing to tighten.
Also their little garage or shower board (can't remember which) has a stupidly shaped metal pre-formed back that can make it a tawt to position a locknut.

They are sturdy units though!

 

[einstein]

nothing yet

 

[westward10]

nothing yet

What you waiting for.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I like the BG CU's actually feels like they have some weight and build quality to them, had a failed MCB though for a job I did for a mate 40 miles away which didn't impress!

That's one of the main issues I have with BG boards now, it's a complete false economy when you have to revisit to replace parts that should not have passed quality control in the first place.