CU change...is it ok to keep old ELCB as an isolator?

[shocking_eg]

whats the point of adding an isolator after you have fitted a new CU ?

its not like its going to be changed again for a long time ?

if needed just isolate like your going to when changing the board. ring DNO, they will pull fuse and replace after

yea right ! :38:

 

[telectrix]

 

[sparkless]

whats the point of adding an isolator after you have fitted a new CU ?

its not like its going to be changed again for a long time ?

if needed just isolate like your going to when changing the board. ring DNO, they will pull fuse and replace after

yea right ! :38:

you've gotta pull fuse to change anyway

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Unless you choose to work live


eh hem..

 

[Knobhead]

A disabled ELCB is going to be a far superior isolator than any of the new rubbish you will buy today.

If you get the chance to take on apart you will see what I mean.

 

[Engineer54]

It's not a double pole switch though it's an ELCB - there's a clue in what it says on it. If you start using it as a double pole switch it can give rise to confusion.
Why not just change it for a double pole isolator, then there's no scope for confusion?

Well, seeing as the UK seems to love the use of labels, ....Re- label it as DP ISOLATOR!!

I can only see it confusing 17 day and electrical trainee's, anyone else would see that the earth conductors were obviously missing!! ..lol!!

 

[Adam W]

Without trying to shoehorn in a dig at 5WWs it could be anybody who is expecting the VOLECB to work as a disconnection device rather than having been modified - it could be a DIYer or other 'normal person' who tries to isolate the installation by firmly pushing the yellow button, assuming it must be off and then working live without realising it; if something were to happen would you still be so keen to argue that the contacts are better than on this new-fangled modern rubbish?
Or in easy to understand terms - do you feel that strongly that 'they don't make 'em like they used to' to risk failing your assessment?

 

[Guest55]

does a veolcb meet the British Standard definition for an Isolator ?
;-)

 

[pete555]

Can't really see a problem with leaving it in place as a DP isolator, but do remove the earth conductors from the unit!! If the truth be know the Switch, contacts and mechanism, is a dammed sight better engineered than those of a new DP isolator!! lol!!

your right it is quite possible that it was made any were but china in which case it would be of a good quality

 

[Adam W]

does a veolcb meet the British Standard definition for an Isolator ?
;-)

Does a VOELCB meet the British Standard for a VOELCB if you take the earth out and use it as an isolator?

 

[i=p/u]

As far as I'm aware their to be removed c2 if periodic,

 

[Engineer54]

Without trying to shoehorn in a dig at 5WWs it could be anybody who is expecting the VOLECB to work as a disconnection device rather than having been modified - it could be a DIYer or other 'normal person' who tries to isolate the installation by firmly pushing the yellow button, assuming it must be off and then working live without realising it; if something were to happen would you still be so keen to argue that the contacts are better than on this new-fangled modern rubbish?
Or in easy to understand terms - do you feel that strongly that 'they don't make 'em like they used to' to risk failing your assessment?

Come on now, are you honestly saying no-one would notice that the switch mechanism didn't trip when the yellow button was pushed!! Or come to that they wouldn't notice that the lights are still on, the washing machine is still running, or any other of the multitude of appliances were still happily burning electricity!! lol!!

No-ones saying that you SHOULD always leave the old VOELCB in place as a DP isolator, only that there is nothing wrong in doing so, when they have been disconnected from any automatic tripping means.

As far as does one of these units meet the definition of a DP isolator, the answer is YES it most certainly did, or they would never have been used as a devise to isolate the installation in the first place!!

 

[Silly Sausage]

There are two highly respected members on this forum, who between them, have getting on 80 years experience.
I think I know who I'd take advice from!

 

[Knobhead]

Without trying to shoehorn in a dig at 5WWs it could be anybody who is expecting the VOLECB to work as a disconnection device rather than having been modified - it could be a DIYer or other 'normal person' who tries to isolate the installation by firmly pushing the yellow button, assuming it must be off and then working live without realising it; if something were to happen would you still be so keen to argue that the contacts are better than on this new-fangled modern rubbish?
Or in easy to understand terms - do you feel that strongly that 'they don't make 'em like they used to' to risk failing your assessment?

If the Yellow button is sutch a problem. Super glue it in the "pressed" position and put a drop of black paint on it.

On what grounds would you fail an assessment?

Yellow can't be seen!

 

[Adam W]

As far as does one of these units meet the definition of a DP isolator, the answer is YES it most certainly did, or they would never have been used as a devise to isolate the installation in the first place!!

Yes they used to be an approved method of isolation, and indeed automatic disconnection, but not any more.