RCBO for Memera 2000 is discontinued, is it ok to buy used one off eBay?

[koko88]

I need to get hold of RCBO for old white plastic Memera 2000 consumer unit.

They are now discontinued for the Memera 2000, only used ones are available off eBay.

Is it ok and safe to buy an used RCBO off eBay to be fitted?

 

[Electro-tech]

Probably the answer would be not okay. You will take a chance on its functioning correctly, & would you be asking an Electrician to install & test it as they would probably decline? Also, Memera 2000 has been around since 2009 , unlucky 13 years old.

 

[westward10]

You can still get new rcbo pods for the mcb.

 

[koko88]

Looking on YouTube, fitting RCBO looks quite straight forward if you have some good knowledge on electric & diy!
For safety reason, yes, electrician to fit RCBO but need to get hold of one.
One hour job including testing.
New pod for MCB is quoted at around £140 from various electrical suppliers!
EBay have used RCBO around £50 - £70, some from electrical sellers & tested?
I only need a single RCBO to replace an existing MCB

 

[westward10]

I'm afraid that is how much they are new.

 

[MJPD29]

Definetly buy the new pod. I wouldn't fit parts off ebay especially an rcbo or any other safety device. Not worth the small saving.

 

[koko88]

Definetly buy the new pod. I wouldn't fit parts off ebay especially an rcbo or any other safety device. Not worth the small saving.

 

[koko88]

Had a look on EBay for the pods and there’s a few brand new ones for £70 onwards, a lot cheaper than electrical suppliers online.
I’ve noticed some have just one neutral lead & others have two leads, neutral & earth?
Are both type compatible with MEM MCB?

 

[MJPD29]

Good luck with that. Wouldn't have my name on any certificate where any ebay parts or new whether they claim to be new or used. Doubt any manufacturer stands over eBay sales

 

[Dustydazzler]

I have use dEbay seconds as a last resort and sometimes you just have to go down the seconds route if the client doesn't want a whole new board

I have also sold over 500 used Rcbos , Rccbs , Elcbs , Rcds and Mcbs on Ebay so the market for seconds is very strong indeed so lots of sparks are clearly fitting them an alot of them

 

[koko88]

I have use dEbay seconds as a last resort and sometimes you just have to go down the seconds route if the client doesn't want a whole new board

I have also sold over 500 used Rcbos , Rccbs , Elcbs , Rcds and Mcbs on Ebay so the market for seconds is very strong indeed so lots of sparks are clearly fitting them an alot of them

Yet again, you get conflicting advice, Willrose electrical actually selling some used RCBO/pods on EBay.
Don’t really want to be forking out £140 onwards just for a single pod!

 

[MJPD29]

Do it as you see fit, I'm not telling you what to do, just that I would have no hesitation in refusing to fit it or put my name to it. Your spark may think otherwise.

Funny enough I've also sold quite a few old and obsolete breakers on ebay because I wont use them again there is a strong market for them.

 

[123]

Are the new pods Type A RCD?

 

[westward10]

Are the new pods Type A RCD?

Most pods are type A even old ones they are more common than AC.

 

[westward10]

Eaton Memshield 2 MR30 MCB to RCBO Module Converter 230V

WE WONT BE BEATEN ON PRICEWe regularly check our prices against our competitors, to ensure we can offer you the best deal possible.

www.electricpoint.com

 

[Midwest]

I fitted a couple of those 'Eaton Field Kits'. They are expensive, but what price safety? Bear in mind they are quite tall, and a bit of a squeeze inside a Mem CU, especially if the installer has not been tidy with their cables.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

why not just fit an RCD adjacent to the exisitng board and route the circuit via the RCD in its own enclosure?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Just looked and I can't believe old MEM Rcbos are selling for between £35-£80 on Fleabay

I need to have a rummage in my dads garage this week as he has some old MEM boards and I am sure there is some Rcbos in them

 

[koko88]

Electrician told me to either buy a new pod or get a RCBO off eBay as he reckons most RCBO have a very long life span, the chances of being faulty & etc is low (if it works, it works as the life span is 20,000 operation, most RCBO very unlikely to get there!)
The electrician would be able to test an used RCBO before fitting it.
There seem to be a market for used RCBO or pods on eBay so there most be many electrician or DIY enthusiasts out there’s still sourcing & using them!
I just want a second opinion on the matter

 

[MJPD29]

I've had square d rcbos fail on their first operation after sitting doing nothing for 10 years and bg rcbos fail out of the box so I don't believe that figure for a second. The market is so big because of people like yourself having boards that manufacturers have discontinued and no longer support, its a cheaper option than replacing the whole thing.

 

[koko88]

Yes, they’re bound to be RCBO, pods from new that is faulty & etc, just like everything else in life!
I think most people would chose the cheaper option & if an electrician going to test it before fitting it, my guest is it should be ok?
I presume there’s a market out there for used discontinued stuff judging what is on EBay!

 

[westward10]

You have asked for opinions and seeing as these parts are available new the opinion is to buy new. Second had is a last resort for obsolete parts which are no longer available new.

 

[pc1966]

I agree 100% with @westward10 that 2nd hand is an option you should consider only if no new options exist, and if a complete CU change to something supported is too expensive.

While the Eaton kit was good in its day, it is quite old and once you look at a couple of upgrades it would be cheaper to bite the bullet and get a new CU with the benefits of available parts are reasonable price, fitted SPD, lower fire risk due to metal construction, etc.

 

[MJPD29]

The new pod can be tested on fitting, only problem being if its faulty from ebay you may not be able to return it

 

[koko88]

The new pod can be tested on fitting, only problem being if its faulty from ebay you may not be able to return it

Most of the one listed on eBay have a 30 days return refund policy, new or used.
Every item purchased on eBay is covered by them if it’s faulty or item not as described!
The obvious choice is to buy a new one from electrical supplier online for the full price but just doesn’t seem economically viable as it would cost more or less the same as a new consumer unit!

 

[IAmSparkytus!]

Most of the one listed on eBay have a 30 days return refund policy, new or used.
Every item purchased on eBay is covered by them if it’s faulty or item not as described!
The obvious choice is to buy a new one from electrical supplier online for the full price but just doesn’t seem economically viable as it would cost more or less the same as a new consumer unit!

Is it for your own property?

 

[mainline]

The new pod can be tested on fitting, only problem being if its faulty from ebay you may not be able to return it

You can always return it ifs it's via eBay faulty or not.

 

[Dustydazzler]

The new pod can be tested on fitting, only problem being if its faulty from ebay you may not be able to return it

If it is sold as used working then if its duff you will get your money back on Ebay 100%

Only time you might not get your refund is if the seller is selling it for parts 'not working'

 

[westward10]

What works have you had done which requires an rcbo.

 

[suffolkspark]

Are the memshield 2 breakers compatible with the memera2000? as there's a company that now has the rights to memshield 2 and is making them again. Unless they just have new old stock.

With Wylex and hagers 10ka mcbs being able to go in either board dont know if these were the same

MEM Classic | Page 1 | Kempston Controls Electronic Components Distributor

MEM Classic products, electrical components and controls distributed by Kempston Controls

www.kempstoncontrols.co.uk

 

[westward10]

There is reverse compatibility but only one way. Memshield 2 fit Memera 2000 but not the other way around due to Memshield 2 having a wider busbar tab. Eaton will confirm this.

 

[westward10]

To add to the above it is probably because Memshield 2 are 10ka and Memera 2000 are 6ka.

 

[koko88]

Are the memshield 2 breakers compatible with the memera2000? as there's a company that now has the rights to memshield 2 and is making them again. Unless they just have new old stock.

With Wylex and hagers 10ka mcbs being able to go in either board dont know if these were the same

MEM Classic | Page 1 | Kempston Controls Electronic Components Distributor

MEM Classic products, electrical components and controls distributed by Kempston Controls

www.kempstoncontrols.co.uk

 

[koko88]

The company in your link, Kempston Controls Electronic Components wants £243.08 for a single MEM pod!
Who is going to pay that amount for a single pod?
That’s probably why there’s a market out there for used MEM RCBO & pods!

 

[westward10]

See #15 just buy a new one. What is it for this rcbo, what work have you had done.

 

[Midwest]

I’ve just googled the Eaton Field Service Kit, various places have them for £100 ish?

 

[MJPD29]

As you can see the professional opinion is to buy new with manufacturers guarantee. If you don't for the sake of 50 or 60 quid that's up to you. Can't understand people who value their or their families safety at 50 quid, a perfect example of why I completely refuse to do domestic work. Its a race to the bottom.

 

[koko88]

Judging by the amount of used electrical components sold on eBay, there must be a good percentage of professional think it’s ok still to be using them.
If used electrical components is unsafe, wouldn’t electrical regulation put a stop to this by law?
There must be many homes out there with used electrical components fitted by professionals/diy without encountering any problems.
The obvious no brainer is to buy new with manufacturer warranty

 

[mainline]

Judging by the amount of used electrical components sold on eBay, there must be a good percentage of professional think it’s ok still to be using them.
If used electrical components is unsafe, wouldn’t electrical regulation put a stop to this by law?
There must be many homes out there with used electrical components fitted by professionals/diy without encountering any problems.
The obvious no brainer is to buy new with manufacturer warranty

A used, tested one is no more unsafe than any that is already fitted in your CU.

 

[DPG]

Worth bearing in mind that any device is a 'used' one once it has been fitted. Even new ones.

 

[nicebutdim]

Keeping strictly to the question posed, the only real answer can be 'Who knows?'.

Asking whether or not an unknown, used item from ebay is 'okay and safe' is akin to asking how long the proverbial piece of string is.

 

[DPG]

Keeping strictly to the question posed, the only real answer can be 'Who knows?'.

Asking whether or not an unknown, used item from ebay is 'okay and safe' is akin to asking how long the proverbial piece of string is.

Second hand string from ebay? Barely used. Guaranteed.

 

[mainline]

Second hand string from ebay? Barely used. Guaranteed.

Guaranteed to be string ?

 

[Dustydazzler]

A used, tested one is no more unsafe than any that is already fitted in your CU.

EXACTLY

If I buy a 'new' Rcbo from my wholesaler fit it , remove it and then sell it as 'Used' IS it really any less 'Safe' than when I purchased it

 

[mainline]

The obvious no brainer is to buy new with manufacturer warranty

In reality the only difference between the manufacturer's warranty and eBay's is the one gives you your money back and the other replaces it, neither is going to give any compensation if someone gets electrocuted.

 

[Midwest]

EXACTLY

If I buy a 'new' Rcbo from my wholesaler fit it , remove it and then sell it as 'Used' IS it really any less 'Safe' than when I purchased it

Your probably right, bit like the RCBO for our main kitchen's commercial mixer, which has tripped more times than the kitchen's given me hot dinners.

Actually, thats not a very good analogy, but you get the idea.

 

[freddo]

EXACTLY

If I buy a 'new' Rcbo from my wholesaler fit it , remove it and then sell it as 'Used' IS it really any less 'Safe' than when I purchased it

Depends if you fitted it with an impact driver!