Current Operated ELCB

[Dazzol2009]

Hi Guys,
Was called to look at this job today, problem with a tripping dishwasher on hi temp, had a look at the C/U and noticed this arrangement, obviously as you can probably see fairly newish board, but still has ELCB wired pre board, and then an rcd within board, my understanding is most people when updating boards usually bin the ELCB and put a 17th edition board in with rcd protection.
I phoned up my Elecsa tech man, and he would just bin the ELCB and put another rcd in the board, I would welcome any opinions on this.

 

[telectrix]

that up front unit looks more like a RCD, probably added to a 3036 board as an update. read what it says on it. it'll be a 30mA or possibly 100mA if the earthing is TT.

 

[Guitarist]

My guess is that it was originally installed as an "up-front" device to protect an old fuseboard, then left in as an isolator when the new board was installed. Get the supplier to change it for a simple isolator: Many will do so free of charge.

 

[telectrix]

easy enough to swap it live.

 

[onions1066]

What about the missing blank in the con unit? I would say that is more dangerous than the upfront elcb

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

I have the same set up in my house, left it in when I did a board change some years ago. It's a 100mA and acts as an Isolator when I need to work on the board. Has some discrimination with the 30mA on the board.

Regards.

 

[Rockingit]

Has some discrimination with the 30mA on the board.

Ermm...not really! What's your pefc???????

 

[telectrix]

What about the missing blank in the con unit? I would say that is more dangerous than the upfront elcb

ya fool,that's the invisible breaker/RCD / thingy/ of unknown rating that feeds the 100A supply to the DIYers garage, shed and greenhouse.

 

[Des 56]

Hi Guys,


my understanding is most people when updating boards usually bin the ELCB and put a 17th edition board in with rcd protection.
What for,it already had Rcd protection,maybe to the level it has now,except there is now a chance of confusion when the ---- up between which Rcd goes out is made

If earth leakage reaches a critical stage,its likely its the original that will trip, considering it is covering more circuits,especially if its 30 m/amp rated as well


I phoned up my Elecsa tech man, and he would just bin the ELCB and put another rcd in the board, I would welcome any opinions on this.

You could always bin that modern board and fit a Wylex fuse board,then its back where it started,that is, before they were probably convinced into having that existing split board with little if any added benefit

Tom,Jerry.Pink Panther,Yogi Bear,Dennis the menace and Lupi loo
(6 characters added as per forum instruction)

 

[Dazzol2009]

I think when i was talking about ----ing something out in the garbage, i was talking more about the ELCB, as it was probably originally there when an old wylex board was fitted, but my question which has been answered a little bit, is now that a upgraded board has been put it, even though several years ago, you WILL have discrimination between the two ( board rcd and ELCB ), the cost of a another rcd for l/h side is of the board and is minimal, will omit this discrimination would it not, and bring the board upto 17th reg standard without any dicrimination problems in future.

 

[Rockingit]

I think when i was talking about ----ing something out in the garbage, i was talking more about the ELCB, as it was probably originally there when an old wylex board was fitted, but my question which has been answered a little bit, is now that a upgraded board has been put it, even though several years ago, you WILL have discrimination between the two ( board rcd and ELCB ), the cost of a another rcd for l/h side is of the board and is minimal, will omit this discrimination would it not, and bring the board upto 17th reg standard without any dicrimination problems in future.

No, you won't! Only if one of them is a S type (time delayed) will you achieve discrimination. The fact that one is a 30mA and the other is a 100mA makes diddly squat of difference to an earth fault of 700A.

 

[Dazzol2009]

ok fair point

 

[Badged01]

easy enough to swap it live.

Like it Tel, live on the edge :smiley2:

 

[telectrix]

and there's room in that CU to fit a RCD to the left hand side, with a bit of re-jigging.

 

[Guitarist]

Hi,

I have the same set up in my house, left it in when I did a board change some years ago. It's a 100mA and acts as an Isolator when I need to work on the board. Has some discrimination with the 30mA on the board.

Regards.

Has to be an s-type 100mA unit if you want discrimination.