Existing 5amp switches on 6amp circuits

[Paul P]

Hi This may seem a silly question, I heard a rumer that you can't keep the old 5amp light switches if you replace a consumer unit and fit 6 amp mcb's. I think it is a load of tosh. Does anyone have a definite answer?

 

[hasel5]

O load of tosh mate

 

[Sintra]

The switch is limited to the load that it switches not the load of the circuit. I would say it's a load of tosh.

 

[7029 dave]

Rubbish

 

[Flanders]

As long as the load connected to the light switch is 5 amps or less then I can't see a problem

 

[Plonker 3]

Imagine a 13 amp socket on a 16 amp radial circuit, it's not dissimilar.

 

[Octopus]

Or a 13A socket on a 32A circuit!

 

[Darkwood]

Paul P... exactly where did you hear this rumour?

We have a lot of ears to the ground on here and this is a new one on me although complete rubbish- half the equipment in any installation wouldn't comply if this scenario was correct

 

[Engineer54]

Hi This may seem a silly question, I heard a rumer that you can't keep the old 5amp light switches if you replace a consumer unit and fit 6 amp mcb's. I think it is a load of tosh. Does anyone have a definite answer?

Have you been listening to one of those 17 Day whizz kids by any chance?? lol!!

 

[Sintra]

It's probably another way of scamming the poor customers after they have been convinced to change their perfectly good consumer unit.

 

[old_sparky_RE]

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...85039-light-switches-mcbs-size-reg-536-a.html

A question I posted 2weeks ago as we were being inspected and Reg 536 was quoted as the reason for failure!
Overcurrent is fault current or overload current (see430.3), so with this in mind all 5A switches must be fitted with 5A MCB's !!!!!!!!
Common sence is NOT allowed. Do as I say.

 

[Engineer54]

Apart from being a complete load of rubbish, you try finding a 5A MCB!! lol!!

This inspector clearly doesn't understand the basics of what he's inspecting. Did he put anything down in writing by any chance??

Oh and by the way, over current and fault current are completely different and have completely different and separate mechanisms within MCB's (or MCCB's etc) eg thermal & magnetic, for the protection for each type of current.

As for the minimum sized lighting cables, as related too in you're link, this is common practice on larger sized projects, and we too have 2.5mm minimum for lighting circuits, but that is only for ''Fixed or Installation wiring, not factory supplied equipment etc.

If anyone else is sacked because of these idiots, take the company to court for unfair dismissal, ....and then see what happens!! lol!!

 

[pepparz]

ive got loads of 5 A MEM MCBs there type 1 to BS3871 category of duty M6, order code; 51QEB.

 

[Engineer54]

ive got loads of 5 A MEM MCBs there type 1 to BS3871 category of duty M6, order code; 51QEB.

Will they fit a modern CU though?? And come to that, do/will they comply with 17th BS7671?? Those Type 1/ 2/ and 3's must have been out of production for years now....

 

[Kamikaze]

You can still get a load of 3A mcb’s. :smile5: