Identifying an old Wylex CU Breaker

Marti · May 22, 2021

I was asked to "just fit a bigger breaker" by a plumber who had installed an electric shower for a customer. Bit surprised he hadn't finished the task but I arrived with a DIN rail full of conventional, spring fitted MCB's. I've seen a fair amount of old kit (East London rentals are full of the stuff) but this was new to me. I've suggested / quoted either a new CU or an external housing with an isolator and RCBO but I'd be interested to know what this was if one of the more experienced heads could identify it. Two images attached. Thanks guys.

westward10 · May 22, 2021

They are the Wylex NB range now obsolete. You will be hard pushed to find a breaker above 30/32A on the second hand market.

telectrix · May 22, 2021

separate enclosure with RCBO as the shower must be RCD protected. split the CU tails.

suffolkspark · May 22, 2021

I come across these frequently. Incidentally I find the RCDS often fail to perform. I know they're old but seem worse that other brands.

GBDamo · May 22, 2021

Will be stripping three of these boards out in the next few weeks and and combining them in a two tier, SPD and all RCBO hager board.

Looking at 18- 20 circuits, sadly none above 32A.

Is there any value in this Stuff?

westward10 · May 22, 2021

GBDamo said:
Will be stripping three of these boards out in the next few weeks and and combining them in a two tier, SPD and all RCBO hager board.

Looking at 18- 20 circuits, sadly none above 32A.

Is there any value in this Stuff?

For the unusual sizes yes people like this will buy them from you albeit not for what they are selling them at.

Wylex NB MCB 40 Amp M6 Type 1 Single Pole 40A Circuit Breaker Stotz Kontakt NB40 - Willrose Electrical - Discontinued & Obsolete Circuit Breakers

Used But in Good Condition. NB Range MCB. Same as ABB/Proteus. Made by Stotz Kontakt - Wylex NB MCB 40 Amp M6 Type 1 Single Pole 40A Circuit Breaker Stotz Kontakt NB40

willrose-electrical.co.uk

Dustydazzler · May 22, 2021

Wylex Nb for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Wylex Nb. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

littlespark · May 22, 2021

I think I’ve got a bucket of old breakers.....

quick rake through the van, found MEM. Are these compatible? Might still have Wylex ones in my store.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Identifying an old Wylex CU Breaker

westward10 · May 22, 2021

No. It may well fit as I have seen the Wylex NB in the Memshield 1 boards but they fit much lower and at an angle.

Marti · May 22, 2021

littlespark said:
I think I’ve got a bucket of old breakers.....

quick rake through the van, found MEM. Are these compatible? Might still have Wylex ones in my store.

View attachment 85990 View attachment 85991

That's interesting and looks very similar although one of my fears is, as mentioned above, will the thirty year old RCD work and would you trust your reputation or their life to it? Brilliant answers - I may print this and thread and show it to the client whom, I suspect, is wondering why a simple breaker has now gone up ten fold in price (thanks Mr Plumber)!

westward10 · May 22, 2021

Those old Wylex rcds are normally very reliable and normally still functional.

westward10 · May 22, 2021

Just looks through my old breakers and have many 30As but nothing above. This is the difference between the breaker @littlespark showed and the Wylex one, the busbar fitting is a different height and don't really fit.

littlespark · May 22, 2021

Close, but I can see it won’t fit.

I’ll keep my eye out for a wylex next time I’m at my store.

Marti · May 23, 2021

Interestingly, quoted the the client with a follow-up to "explain why the "half hour for the sparky to fit a breaker" the plumber had promised before disappearing, had morphed into a board change or external RCD. The client reported "all sorted"! my suspicion is an unsafe connection to the shower but I've done my best.

brianmoooore · May 23, 2021

No comments on this thread as to whether the cable from the CU to the shower is suitable for the increased load?

Marti · May 23, 2021

brianmoooore said:
No comments on this thread as to whether the cable from the CU to the shower is suitable for the increased load?

4mm multi! Not much use for anything except as a draw wire for a bit of 10mm T&E. Something else the plumber skipped when he fitted a 9Kw Triton on the old cable.

nicebutdim · May 23, 2021

Wont be long until you're back out to do the job properly.

When that happens, be sure to charge plenty to make up for the messing about.

timhoward · May 24, 2021

nicebutdim said:
Wont be long until you're back out to do the job properly.

When that happens, be sure to charge plenty to make up for the messing about.

My old boss had a code for jobs like that. When pricing up he’d say to me ‘This one might be TT’
TT stood for To55er Tax.

nicebutdim · May 24, 2021

timhoward said:
My old boss had a code for jobs like that. When pricing up he’d say to me ‘This one might be TT’
TT stood for To55er Tax.

When people seem like they might be problematic, or waste time unnecessarily, I've always been inclined to account for that. If they go elsewhere I'll not be upset and if they turn out okay it's easy to charge less that estimated.

HappyHippyDad · May 25, 2021

Just found a Wylex NB40 in the shed @Marti
Doesn't sound like you need it now, but if the silly customer decides to be safe and get the job done properly then let me know and I'll send it on.

Marti · May 25, 2021

happyhippydad said:
Just found a Wylex NB40 in the shed @Marti
Doesn't sound like you need it now, but if the silly customer decides to be safe and get the job done properly then let me know and I'll send it on.

Much appreciated. Thank you for going to so much trouble. Less concerned about getting the job but would like to know this client is safe; even from her own decision making.

grumpyjohn01 · May 26, 2021

timhoward said:
My old boss had a code for jobs like that. When pricing up he’d say to me ‘This one might be TT’
TT stood for To55er Tax.

Bit like my TNC-S jobs...Tea Not Copiously Supplied...+5%..

grumpyjohn01 · May 26, 2021

Marti said:
4mm multi! Not much use for anything except as a draw wire for a bit of 10mm T&E. Something else the plumber skipped when he fitted a 9Kw Triton on the old cable.

Have had a 8.5Kw in 4mm hanging off a B32 in my place for about 10 years, haven't got round to rewiring it....Its fine...it is just me though and I don't wash that often...