2 radials on 1 MCB

[Newbie90]

Hi all,

I have tested a consumer unit and found that there are 2 16a circuits with 2 radials on each.

One circuit feeds 1 DSSO in utility room and 1 DSSO under the stairs ( 2 radials)

The other circuit feeds 2 DSSO in bedroom and 1 DSSO in kitchen (2 radials)

There are no spare ways in C.U to split through radials.

Do they need replacing with 20a MCBS?

Thanks

 

[Octopus]

Why would the MCB's need replacing?

 

[telectrix]

has there been any problems with MCBs tripping? if not, then stick with the 16A ones. better to have an occasional trip than for cables to be overloaded.

 

[robwgun]

Not a problem electrically, depends what appliances will be used, and as to whether they will get overloaded and trip from time to time.

 

[robwgun]

Some wallys I work with downrate all ring mains installed to ref method 101 on to 16amps (even though we could get away with 20amp rings).....

Occasionally on these social housing properties you find a old granny who wants to do her washing, tumble drying & and boil the kettle at once and we get called for it tripping the 16amp.

 

[telectrix]

so why did the numpties not use 4.0mm rfc's?

 

[urbanmonkey]

Social housing contractor i was subbing for until I'd had enough recently did wire 4mm RFCs on rewires, all in trunking and clipped up on batten above the fibreglass, when we did any remedial works to a property any 2.5mm rings would be downrated to 16A. all lighting circuits in 1.5mm, max of 6 points per circuit, bit over the top!

 

[robwgun]

These are existing installations.

We do a lot of EICR's for a major social housing company, they have there own suggested coding sheet of what's a code1/2/3 etc, and cables installed to the ref method 101 is a code 2 with them, which I find silly considering all the ECA advice is to let the inspector use his discretion as to if there is thermal damage etc.

So on a typical day I turn up to test a 1 bedroom bungalow, with at least 300mm of insulation buried on cables; I will downrate the ring to b20, and if the shower and cooker are in 6mm, I have Rewire the whole circuit, clipped around the beams, with CT4 trunking drops to support the cables ( they want all cables in a loft clipped 250mm and supported where they drop).

To say all of this does my head is a understatement!

 

[Plonker 3]

A EICR is coded at the testers discretion not a "set list" even the ESC guide is just that a guide, sounds like your company is making a quick buck on this contract with some mystical BS.

 

[urbanmonkey]

Yes, all sounds very familiar. Its not Foster property maintainence is it?

 

[robwgun]

Some of my colleagues will just extend the 6mm shower and cooker cables with through crimps floating in the loft, albeit clipped all nicely round the beams, the irony!.

 

[robwgun]

True about the coding, I can't see how they deem unsupported cables in a loft a code 2, it's a inaccessible location technically, so the clipping distance tables shouldn't reply.

 

[7029 dave]

Still classed as one circuit.