Doubling up busbars

[South Spark]

Came across a consumer unit last week where someone had lengthened the busbar by doubling it up - i.e a five way bus bar clamped into the RCD then three MCBs on single prongs then two MCBs on two prongs then three more on singles. It seemed mechanically sound i.e a good connection but is it allowed under the BGB?

 

[MarkieSparkie]

This is definitely bad practice and almost certainly is contrary to the manufactures specification and instructions 134.1.1, where a one piece busbar would have been supplied originally.

 

[gnselectricals]

Iv seen this quite often in old MK sentry dbs, think its how they were supplied, they were the u shaped bus bar which fits under the screw
Regards Graeme


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[bradder]

Eaton do this on some of there consumers units (rcd as main switch) .
think they do this to use up old stock of MEM rcd's that were left from when they took over MEM.

 

[Rockingit]

This is definitely bad practice and almost certainly is contrary to the manufactures specification and instructions 134.1.1, where a one piece busbar would have been supplied originally.

Not looking to start a scrap, just a healthy debate:

Today, I bought and used a Lewden DIN rail box which is clearly designed to house items which could need a bus bar, and indeed came with neutral and earth blocks on fly leads. But no bus bar. So the manufacturers instructions are?

Today, I used a screw. It came without manufacturers instructions telling me that it is a screw, or indeed even anything that told me what a screw does or is meant for. I think it just kind of assumed that I know.

Tomorrow, I think I might use some left-over camembert as wall filler and see how good a tennis ball is for stirring tea.

FFS - yes, we have regs, and we have them for a good reason, but when does good old fashioned common sense enter into the frame??!

 

[Knobhead]

OBITUARY FOR COMMON SENSE
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common sense.
Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. - Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and I'm a Whiner.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on; if not, join the majority and do nothing.

 

[lauriehurman]

There's no such thing as "Common sense".
Common sense is just an opinion you hold without knowing why.
It might be right, it might be wrong. It might stand up to scrutiny or it might not.
But it's not "Common sense".

Laurie

 

[Knobhead]

I would like to think people use common sense based on facts and experience.

“Rule are for guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools” Douglas Bader.