Can you use a wylex RCBO in a MK consumer unit

[Jelj360]

Can anyone tell me if this is against regulations or unsafe? An electrician has just fitted a 6A Wylex RCBO to an MK sentry consumer unit ( the old type not the split load dual RCD type) in my house. im sure ive read that you should use the same make MCBs, RCDs, and RCBOs as the make of the consumer unit.

 

[calv68]

if it fits and works correctly theres no reason why not

 

[Jelj360]

it could fit better, the CU cover doesnt sit over it properly cos it dont line up flush with the MCBs, but so far it hasnt tripped. It was only done about 3 hours ago though so time will tell.

 

[calv68]

ive found that them proteus ones c.e.f sell fit loads of different boards personally mate i would fit one that fits the c/u right, even though i know you say its just the cover you will only get slagged by the next sparky that looks at the job.

 

[Jelj360]

thats what i thought. i wanna know because im having issues with my housing associaton contractors- all trades- cutting corners and doing bodge jobs so im snagging everything they do wrong till someone does something about it. plus ive been an electrician/mate for about ten years and am finally getting my qualifications done so its for my own benefit in future jobs as well. thanks for the tips mate.

 

[johnhainsby]

If there was a problem you would know by now ,question did he test the circuit,this device is supplying ,why did he fit it ?as there been an addition?new wiring?faulty breaker.the wylex and mk breakers are very similar, and providing the c.c.u cover fits back on properly there is no real problem,question did he give you any type of certificate for this work

 

[Jelj360]

he came round to earth a new bath thats been fitted, while he was here he said he needed to put RCBO in to replace the old 6A MCB for the bathroom lighting to bring it up to regs. Also when he first looked at the board he said he couldnt do it at first so instead he was gonna run supplementry bonding from pull cord switch down to rads in trunking instead?!
I told him i didnt want that over me new tiles and to put RCBO in as he originally said, trouble is i didnt realise it was a different make till later.
Also, i dont think he did any tests once he fitted it and i got no certificates and he didnt label the board either.

 

[steamboatwilly]

He should have tested the operation of the RCBO and issued a certificate to SOMEONE. Sounds a bit like a bodge job to me.

If this is a housing association property (did I read that?) I'd call them and ask for a copy of the installation certificate. That would ensure that the earthing and circuit protection has been done properly (hopefully) and also identify whether testing was done.

 

[calv68]

as its changing the charicteristics of that circuit i would issue a minor works certificate

 

[Jelj360]

hi steamboatwilly, yeah he is from Housing association so certificate would probably go to them. is the test just a matter of pushing the test button on the RCBO, if so could i do it myself or do i need testers.
I didnt see him do it but thats not to say he didnt.

 

[steamboatwilly]

Hi Jel,

If he's altered the circuit in some way then he should have issued a Minor Works cert and that'd mean a bunch of simple tests to ensure that the circuit is sound....including the tripping nature of the RCBO and the functional test button.

If he's looking at earthing the bath then there's also some query around the earthing system and he should be testing there too.

...it all depends on exactly what he did...

Yes, to be fair the tests only take a few minutes so he may have done that.....you never know!

 

[leekemp85]

The electrician may have done all the required tests. I personally test the circuit and send out the certificate after I have been paid.
I don't believe using a different brand of breaker is a problem as long as its a secure to the din rail. It may not be ideal looks wise but it sounds like he had done a reasonable job. some cowboys would not have bothered with a rcbo and you would not released it was not to the curent regs.

 

[Jelj360]

thanks for the replies fellas, much appreciated

 

[johnhainsby]

you need to carry out the proper r.c.d tests, to make sure the device is tripping out, in the required time as laid out in bs 7671,you need a r.c.d test instrument to do this.It is a very important test which must be carried out to make sure the device is working properly, the bathroom is classed as a special location

 

[Jelj360]

in that case john, i know for a fact that he didnt do required tests at all, i think ill call H.A tomorrow to get someone to come test it all.