How old are Square D QOE CUs?

[brman]

Just looked at a CU where the owner had told me "it is modern one so you shouldn't have any problems there" to find it is the Square D QOE type.

The second from left in this pic from recon electrical to save confusion.... http://www.reconelectrical.co.uk/images/uploads/Sqo_sp.jpg

Does anyone know when these were made so I can tell the guy how "modern" it really is?

From a bit of a search I assuming compatible MCBs are not longer available. Am I correct?

 

[telectrix]

guess about 30 years old. you can get MCBs, RCBOs, etc., but they are not cheap. be a good idea to fit a new CU.

 

[plugsandsparks]

When i priced up 3 replacement QOE RCBOs it became clear that a new board was the way to go. I do and i suspect quite a few sparkies have their own stash just in case we need one urgently and they are freely available on fleabay

 

[telectrix]

just priced up a 32A MCB, 3 phase, £100 with the VAT.

 

[brman]

Thanks guys, I suspect a board change will open a can of worms. The house is probably 1930s but massively extended, wires everywhere around the CU and nice old green cut out.....


part of me wants to push him for a board change and lots of remedial work but part of me just wants to keep as clear as possible.

I was only there to quote for outside power so my biggest concern is the main earth (bonding is ok). On the other hand the whole system is on one RCCB which is great for adding outside power to.

EDIT: that should say "isn't great for adding outside power...."

 

[brman]

just priced up a 32A MCB, 3 phase, £100 with the VAT.

hmm... perhaps I can use that to scare him into a CU change :lol:

 

[huntos33]

Dont forget if you do change the board keep the MCBS ! for future projects

 

[brman]

Dont forget if you do change the board keep the MCBS ! for future projects

Don't worry, I am one of those sad people who keep old wylex 3036 type boards just in case..............

 

[ipf]

It could well be 'modern', when you compare it to the cut out. Is the neutral fused ?

He might be in for a nasty surprise, cost wise. I'd be wary. Good luck.

 

[brman]

It could well be 'modern', when you compare it to the cut out. Is the neutral fused ?

He might be in for a nasty surprise, cost wise. I'd be wary. Good luck.

I've never seen inside one of these but the top left fuse is not connected. The middle (smaller, squarer) box is the neutral and I assume just a link block and the right fuse is the line.
Does that sound about right from the picture?

This is in southern electric (SSE) region, does anyone know what there attitude is to changing these?

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi mate, You should not have much trouble getting SSE to change the old head, as they are one of the more pro-active DNOs in this respect.

 

[brman]

Hi mate, You should not have much trouble getting SSE to change the old head, as they are one of the more pro-active DNOs in this respect.

thanks Mark, I'll give them a call.

 

[KFH]

For Square D MCBs etc try Discount Electrical Supplies at Discounted Prices at Zetmet Ltd. Their prices are much better than the main suppliers. I have had good service from them.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

tell you what though...nice piece of cast iron work..that head is.....i would be inclined to ask the DNO when they come to change that if i could have it.....clean it up, paint it and mount it on a wooden stand.....a sort of `conversation piece`....

 

[ipf]

tell you what though...nice piece of cast iron work..that head is.....i would be inclined to ask the DNO when they come to change that if i could have it.....clean it up, paint it and mount it on a wooden stand.....a sort of `conversation piece`....

Do you mean 'conservation' ? lol! Get it weighed in.