Crabtree C50's... What code, if any?

[Quinnysparks]

S'up....

I started doing an EICR on a massive property today, it's actually a mansion! The owners tell me it was rewired about 30 yrs ago when they moved in. All the DB's are crabtree c50's, ugly looking things. There's about 8 of them. Just wanted some other opinions really with regard to putting them down to be replaced, or not? code 3. Obviously RCD protection is lacking, exposed busbars inside etc... Or not? They're not in overly bad condition, and would be quite expensive to replace them all etc...
Any musings would be greatly received
Ta.

 

[somersetsparks]

No reason whatsoever to fail them, you can code any non-compliances but you will look like a fool if you put them down for replacement. It sounds like the place will attract a lot of C3's and not much else

 

[odawire]

No reason for them to be replaced unless they're in a dangerous condition, but c3's for lack of rcd in special locations/ cables not buried deep enough, c2 for downstairs sockets

 

[somersetsparks]

No reason for them to be replaced unless they're in a dangerous condition, but c3's for lack of rcd in special locations/ cables not buried deep enough, c2 for downstairs sockets

Thats a matter of opinion, I used to agree with you but after much discussion on this forum and after reading the ESC guide, I would now only code actual outside sockets as a C2.

 

[odawire]

Thats a matter of opinion, I used to agree with you but after much discussion on this forum and after reading the ESC guide, I would now only code actual outside sockets as a C2.

Fair enough, what guide are you talking about? BPG3?

 

[somersetsparks]

Fair enough, what guide are you talking about? BPG3?

Not sure one that somebody on here put a PDF up for.

 

[Quinnysparks]

Aye, that was my thinking to be honest. I've worked for companies before who insisted on a code 3 and recommend replacing them. Dodgy testing companies! Haha.
Cheers.

 

[odawire]

Not sure one that somebody on here put a PDF up for.

I know a lot of people don't code it but I think BPG3 is very clear that it should be coded

 

[MDJ]

. All the DB's are crabtree c50's, ugly looking things. There's about 8 of them. Just wanted some other opinions really with regard to putting them down to be replaced, or not? code 3.
.

No code, nothing wrong with them at all, better than a lot of the crap they sell today, I still carry them on the van and you can get rcbos to fit in the boards if you know where to get them, great boards IMO, no code, why a 3?

 

[odawire]

yea bottom of page 13 C2, "absence of rcd protection that may reasonably be used out side" In my book that's downstairs sockets or at least ones near a door to a garden or driveway

 

[Guest55]

Thats a matter of opinion, I used to agree with you but after much discussion on this forum and after reading the ESC guide, I would now only code actual outside sockets as a C2.

its nice to see a spark buck the trend of overestimating code severity and use his own opinions on what is or is not unsafe.
the regs never intended codes 2 to be given for any downstairs sockets that lack rcd's , its an interpretation that many get wrong imo. and taken out of context in this risk averse society.

 

[Quinnysparks]

No code, nothing wrong with them at all, better than a lot of the crap they sell today, I still carry them on the van and you can get rcbos to fit in the boards if you know where to get them, great boards IMO, no code, why a 3?

Mainly for the lack of RCD protection on sockets, cables in walls etc... I was not aware you could get RCBO's to fit in them tbh. And like i said a few posts ago, i've worked for some testing companies who insisted on a code 3 and a recommendation for them to be replaced.

 

[rattlehead85]

TBH the only time they would warrant a code would be where the ZS tolerances are exceeded without RCD back up protection. The tolerance values are lower than a type 2 or B MCB which may be problematic especially where the external Ze is higher than usuall.
The old Dorman Smith boards were ok but sometimes rusted especially in damp properties leaving internal busbars quite hazardous.

 

[Engineer54]

If were talking about those older black Bakelite MCB's, they were total crap when they were new, let alone now after 30 years service, boards were crap too!! lol!! Those things were of an ancient Yank design, with hit and miss Time/Current curves!!

 

[Essexboy7]

They have loads of C50 boards on the underground.We call them widowmakers i hate the things.All testing on the underground is usually done on live boards as you cant turn off a board if it is feeding safety critical circuits such as cctv,fire alarms etc.Trying to get a neutral out of the back row when the board is live is not something i enjoy to put it mildly!

They are all being phased out as they are not being made anymore so it is hard to get spares and about time too