crabtree starbreaker

[waynelester]

hi,im after a little advice.a 5+5 consumer unit(star breaker),5 protected and 5 unprotected.the board has 3 un protected circuits ie 2 spare ways and 5 rcd protected circuits no spare ways.my problem is i need to add a new protected circuit.is it possible to move the rcd unit to allow an extra circuit.iv been told this cannot be done,an alternative would be to install a new rcbo but theses are expensive,also is it a no no to fit a type c breaker on a domestic system if its not required,thanks

 

[GLENNSPARK]

What do you want a c type for wayne? The only reason you would fit a c type is for inductive loads such as motors and non-incandescant lamps. Type c and d are for loads that have high inrush currents.......you will not normally encounter such loads in a domestic environment........

 

[waynelester]

i wouldnt go out and buy one,but if for example i was stuck for a b type,bu had a c type could i use it

 

[Des 56]

is it possible to move the rcd unit to allow an extra circuit.

If its the modern plug them in type,then I would say no,its not possible
The older type with the standard bus bar,I would say yes they can be altered

 

[Engineer54]

Agree, the standard bus bar CUs can indeed be altered/rearranged

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i wouldnt go out and buy one,but if for example i was stuck for a b type,bu had a c type could i use it

Put a B type in. C and D types would not give you the same characteristics you really need for a domestic environment....you dont want to restrict yourself to lower values of loop for a c type. Check out BS7671 (P49) TABLE 41.3 for tabulated values of loop for breakers to BS60898.........

 

[waynelester]

yes i beleive its the plug in type

 

[telectrix]

on all the starbreaker boards i have seen , because of how the RCD gets it,s incomer, the RCD position is fixed. fit an RCBO. OK they're £30, but it saves any hassle.

 

[Geordie Spark]

on all the starbreaker boards i have seen , because of how the RCD gets it,s incomer, the RCD position is fixed. fit an RCBO. OK they're £30, but it saves any hassle.

or less on fleabay

 

[Engineer54]

I see it's still a case of Rip Off Britain then!! Even MG and ABB RCBOs in Cyprus, are way under 30 Euros, and the cheapies run out at about 9 to 11 Euros....

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi Wayne, The Crabtree Starbreaker plug-in busbar can be changed from 5+5 to 4+6 (Part No. 9770) or 3+7 (Part No. 9680) the current trade price for either busbar is £9.80 each.

 

[telectrix]

useful to know. thanks.

 

[topquark]

Expensive bit of busbar, can't you just use some of the slot in shelving uprights (they look about the same)

 

[Engineer54]

Never physically seen the Crabtree Starbreaker CUs, but most of the plug-in type breaker systems i've come across are nasty affairs especially those i've seen for American breakers. Personally i would never use plug-in breaker systems, i don't like them and seen more than enough burnt out breakers due to inadequate or loose contact conections with these bar systems..... Plus your paying a premium for these systems, and breakers also tend to cost more too!!!

 

[topquark]

Never physically seen the Crabtree Starbreaker CUs, but most of the plug-in type breaker systems i've come across are nasty affairs especially those i've seen for American breakers. Personally i would never use plug-in breaker systems, i don't like them and seen more than enough burnt out breakers due to inadequate or loose contact conections with these bar systems..... Plus your paying a premium for these systems, and breakers also tend to cost more too!!!

They're very similar to the wylex type ones, only the crabtree has an insulated busbar (hence looking a bit like the old plastic coated shelf supports ).

Maybe for that price it includes a couple of replacement neutral bars as well?