Contactum spd

[APE37]

hi guys. Just wondering if i can ask for some advice. Looking at fitting a contactum spd in an existing board and the instructions say to fit the spd to the right of the main switch, but the previous electrician has not left a spare way there so was thinking of having the mcb and the spd on the left hand side for ease of installation. Just wondering if anyone else has done this of does it invalidate any warranty. I have tried to contact contactum but cant seem to get hold of anyone so thought I woukd see peoples thoughts on here. Cheers.

 

[kropaske]

Left to the MS I don't think you can. You would have to cut section of busbar and even then it will likely block the earth connection which is on the bottom.
Is there no slack on tails to move MS

Left at the end of the board then should be fine as long as mcb protecting it is not on rcd side.

 

[APE37]

I was planning on having mcb on way 1 then spare on 2 as the customer wants supply to shed then have the spd on way3 so no busbar needed there. But just wondering what peoples thoughts was. There is a bit of slack on tails so could possibly move but just thought of doing it this way for ease of installation. But instructions say to put spd on right of main switch so thought may cause problems in future?

 

[kropaske]

Imho I can't see this will invalidate warranty the key thing here is to keep earth connection as short as possible less then 500mm which you will achieve. Sometimes spd have to be fitted to separate enclosure outside CU due to lack of available ways.

 

[APE37]

Cheers for the advice guys.

 

[davesparks]

If you are fitting an SPD to an existing installation then invariably it will be easier/better to fit a standalone unit than to try to fit it in to an existing CU.

 

[APE37]

If you are fitting an SPD to an existing installation then invariably it will be easier/better to fit a standalone unit than to try to fit it in to an existing CU.

More than likely right. But just thought as there was spare ways would put in board.??

 

[pc1966]

Is this the kit with a single-width unit that should be fed by a MCB via a cable, or one that should go directly on the busbar?

If it is going via a MCB and you have 2 slots at the end you could fit it but check the total conductor length (busbar plus wire to N / E) is under 0.5m.

Yes, it is not quite as good as immediately adjacent to the incomer switch, but for most purposes if the total cable length is kept down it will still do its job.
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Just to add - looking at the picture, etc, you might find the busbar fouls the SPD in those cases, probably not a good idea to try and modify the busbar though.

 

[kropaske]

That's the type of spd kit Contactum sells, very easy to retrofit if you have available ways.
You could not fit it to the left of the MS if consumer unit populated with Rcbo's as per pic