Wiska CU re-locator?

[pc1966]

When deleting TLC adverts I stumbled across this new product:

Wiska Consumer Unit Relocator

Looks a good idea, but if DIN terminals then are the G/Y ones all linked via the rail? Electrically good, but a problem for testing.

TL;DR Anyone seen the CU relocator in the flesh?

 

[timhoward]

Interesting. I might have a look at one of those.

I've fairly recently got a 3D printer and have been experimenting with designing DIN rail mounts and 221 holders, printed in ABS.
(I'm in process of designing mounts for the larger 6mm version)
I want to incorporate some holes for zip ties top and bottom.

So far only used in my own house!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

When deleting TLC adverts I stumbled across this new product:

Wiska Consumer Unit Relocator

Looks a good idea, but if DIN terminals then are the G/Y ones all linked via the rail? Electrically good, but a problem for testing.

TL;DR Anyone seen the CU relocator in the flesh?

Looks pretty useful.
You would probably need 2 of them for most consumer units, as it looks like it takes around 9 or 10 twin and earth.
I'm afraid I haven't got any first hand experience to offer though.

 

[snowhead]

Don't think I've every seen an earth din connector that wasn't connected to the rail, even before Wago appeared.
Previously done with a screw, not just contact.

 

[pc1966]

I've fairly recently got a 3D printer and have been experimenting with designing DIN rail mounts and 221 holders, printed in ABS.
(I'm in process of designing mounts for the larger 6mm version)
I want to incorporate some holes for zip ties top and bottom.

I am impressed!

 

[buzzlightyear]

It's about time some body tackled the
Frustration on moving a boards, I had to
Alter one last year. Could not get a din rail any where.

 

[timhoward]

It's about time some body tackled the
Frustration on moving a boards, I had to
Alter one last year. Could not get a din rail any where.

That is what led me to start 3d printing. Screwfix sell the din rail in 1m lengths for £2.50

 

[telectrix]

if the earthing is a problem for testing, switch the din rail for a plastic one.

 

[NickT75]

When deleting TLC adverts I stumbled across this new product:

Wiska Consumer Unit Relocator

Looks a good idea, but if DIN terminals then are the G/Y ones all linked via the rail? Electrically good, but a problem for testing.

TL;DR Anyone seen the CU relocator in the flesh?

I’ve used one of these on a job recently. They are pretty good and leave a neat finish. However, they have some restrictions. As someone has pointed out it only allows for 10 T&E connections. In most cases, if you have 2 ring circuits, that’s 4 of the connections gone. There is also a restriction in cable size and found it couldn’t be used for a 10mm shower supply.

I did find you can move things around and used Wago connectors for some circuits which you can still tuck in the box.

To answer your question though, nothing is linked. Just in one side and out the other.

 

[Vortigern]

Wiska are doing one as well prebuilt with din bar and box. It seems fixed, i.e. not interchangeable so only useful in specific low population CU changes.

Wiska WIB 4 Consumer Unit Relocation Kit

Wiska WIB 4 Consumer Unit Relocation KitKey FeaturesMaterial: ThermoplasticIP rating: IP65Temp. range min: -25 °CTemp. range max: 85 °CGlow wire test: 650 °CImpact resistance: IK07External dimensions L x W x H: 230 x 180 x 88mmType: WIB 4 CURFinish: RAL 7035Product code: 818CURManufacturer: Wiska

www.expertelectrical.co.uk

 

[Dartlec]

When deleting TLC adverts I stumbled across this new product:

Wiska Consumer Unit Relocator

Looks a good idea, but if DIN terminals then are the G/Y ones all linked via the rail? Electrically good, but a problem for testing.

TL;DR Anyone seen the CU relocator in the flesh?

Nick Bundy did a video on it a while back -

(about 4:20 for the bit) - and had to cannibalise two because he needed to move one of the larger contacts.

Does show that there is no din rail connection when he has one out though.

He also did one with the standard din rail 2 years ago -

Looks like it would be a good option to move an old Wylex wooden board, but with any modern board there will likely be too many circuits - I wonder if there is a technical reason for them not doing a larger one, or maybe if demand is there they will bring out in time. Ideally they'd sell a variety of widths and then the connectors separately.

The last time I moved a Wylex fuse board a short distance I used Wagoboxes (labelled), within a suitably sized adaptable box, which seemed to work fairly well if a bit overkill...

 

[Dustydazzler]

I must admit I prefer to use and the overall look of the traditional din rail connectors

 

[pc1966]

That is what led me to start 3d printing. Screwfix sell the din rail in 1m lengths for £2.50

You need a lot of DIN rails to pay for a printer!

More seriously, are they and more or less crap than paper printers (where they never work when you need them as paper jams or ink out or just bitching about some error that was not there last time, etc)?

 

[timhoward]

You need a lot of DIN rails to pay for a printer!

More seriously, are they and more or less crap than paper printers (where they never work when you need them as paper jams or ink out or just bitching about some error that was not there last time, etc)?

I actually got setup for less than the price of 3 of those wiska kits! I was very lucky though - after much patience on ebay I landed a £500 printer with over 10 x 100m rolls of ABS filament 2nd hand for just over £150. The filament alone would have exceeded that cost.
They are a lot less crap and much better engineered than paper printers. Printing ABS on a heated bed has a slight learning curve but in general if the first layer sticks the rest will be fine. Printing PLA (lower melting point, would melt in a dishwasher) is a lot easier as it's 'sticky'.
Getting the bed level is the main thing. Overall it wasn't as hard as I was expecting it to be. Patience is needed as 3d printing isn't quick - each wago holder takes 40 minutes!

(I did read something once about every public library in Scotland having a 3d printer- don't know if it's still the case!)

 

[catdog1121]

Isnt the problem with that though the cpc's are connected to the din rail, meaning you make effectively an earth bar, which means like your r2 and r1+r2 readings will be all out? I know you can use the none cpc versions to avoid this but something to be aware of..

 

[snowhead]

Isnt the problem with that though the cpc's are connected to the din rail, meaning you make effectively an earth bar, which means like your r2 and r1+r2 readings will be all out? I know you can use the none cpc versions to avoid this but something to be aware of..

The Din rail in the Wiska CU relocator looks like it's plastic / nylon, so although the Din connectors have contacts for the rail there's no continuity.

 

[davesparks]

To me they look like a one size doesn't quite fit anywhere triumph of marketing. I think it's similar to the populated CUs which appeared a few years ago which come with a bunch of MCB's that don't quite match up to what you need so you have to buy a few extra and swap them around.

Has anyone done a cost comparison against buying the parts seperately and putting it together yourself?

They also look like there isn't a lot of room in the box.

 

[davesparks]

Something else that annoys me is the use of green/yellow, blue and grey connectors.
If you want colour-matched connectors use brown for live rather than grey.

 

[SparkyChick]

I've just used one of the Wiska ones (8 x 2.5mm max cca circuits + 2 x 10mm max cca circuits) and whilst I suspect Dave's statement about the cost is totally correct, they aren't too bad. Suited the job I was doing (quite space restricted).

Inside they are a little tight, would be better if there weren't so many plastic protrusions within the space (such as the cover mounting screw pillars) and if the plastic DIN rail was in the middle of the box and not so offset. The Wago terminals could do with better fixings on the ends of the rails and whilst I'm a big Wago fan, I'm not that impressed with the terminals in these and their ability to stay on the rail when placed load by the cables connecting to them. Would be nice as well if it actually had 4 cover screws to make use of all four cover screwholes (think this is a packaging error but irritating none the less).

But, in the right circumstances I'd use one again. Saw them in a local wholesaler a couple of weeks ago and had cause to use one last week. I've used the DIY approach a couple of times and I can totally see the appeal of both approaches.

So, in short... I think they are good in the right circumstances but they aren't going to be an item I keep on hand mainly due to the cost.

 

[freddo]

We also used one recently, not too bad. If I was to use them a lot I'd want to keep a stock of matching din terminals to swap the unsuitable sizes. The plastic rail is a bit soft. I do like Wago din terminals though and have been using them for a while for control panel stuff.

 

[DefyG]

Would the box be considered 'maintenance free' ?

 

[davesparks]

Would the box be considered 'maintenance free' ?

I would hope that a box containing that many connections of different circuits would be installed in a location that is accessible.

 

[DefyG]

I would hope that a box containing that many connections of different circuits would be installed in a location that is accessible.

Yes, you would hope so but I can imagine that some would think it to be MF.