Is This A RCCB Fault?

[action jackson]

Good evening all!

I have discovered this evening (whils't re-setting the RCD) that when applying light pressure to the RCCB in my Crabtree Starbreaker CU, the connection into the busbar arcs severely and all circuits on this side of the CU flicker.

I have tried re-seating the RCCB but has made no difference.

About a year ago i replaced the busbar for a different configuration to allow the fitment of a RCBO.

Is it likely the RCCB contacts are damaged or is it likely the terminals in the busbar are worn?

On a side note, is it acceptable to have a 63 amp rated RCCB supply 3 x 32Amp MCB's?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

well i know you can get replacement busbars for em....in different configurations n all...but i dont have that much experience of em...and as soon as i saw one i didn`t like it.....could see problems looming over the horizon with it then....had a load of MCBs and c type RCBOs for these...sold em to my boss...lol...i didn`t want the damn things as i wouldn`t fit this...

 

[Knobhead]

Read the O/P’s previous posts. Then tell him where to go

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I've only seen this occur once in 30 years of fitting Starbreaker consumer units, maybe I've just been lucky.
A while ago I had a single contact on a Starbreaker busbar arcing and suspected a manufacturing fault, I returned the busbar and RCD to Electrium (Crabtree's parent company) for investigation. They replaced the parts unconditionally by return of post. I urge you to do the same.
This maybe stating the obvious, but I feel it in the circumstance it's worth pointing out that it's vital not to force spare cable/conductors (overcrowding) behind plug-in RCDs, RCBOs, MCBs and other accessories as this may stop the device from fully seating or skew the mating contact(s). This is important when terminating Neutral fly-leads, particularly when retro-fitting a number of adjacent RCBOs.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

i think there a stupid idea these things....like trying to reinvent the wheel or summat......yet more evidence that the older forked type busbar (fitted correctly) is the better way than this fad.....

Crabtree's motivation for using this method was to:
a) Reduce the chances of mixed manufacture devices being used in their consumer units and thereby invalidating the assemblies BS EN 60439-3 type testing and guaranteed 16kA fault withstand.
b) Provide better protection of the live busbar.

 

[action jackson]

I've only seen this occur once in 30 years of fitting Starbreaker consumer units, maybe I've just been lucky.
A while ago I had a single contact on a Starbreaker busbar arcing and suspected a manufacturing fault, I returned the busbar and RCD to Electrium (Crabtree's parent company) for investigation. They replaced the parts unconditionally by return of post. I urge you to do the same.
This maybe stating the obvious, but I feel it in the circumstance it's worth pointing out that it's vital not to force spare cable/conductors (overcrowding) behind plug-in RCDs, RCBOs, MCBs and other accessories as this may stop the device from fully seating or skew the mating contact(s). This is important when terminating Neutral fly-leads, particularly when retro-fitting a number of adjacent RCBOs.

Did you find out if it was the busbar or RCD causing the fault?

I will contact Crabtree first thing tomorrow however i can't wait for them to test my parts and replace etc etc. I obviously need to get this rectified ASAP for safety reasons!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Crabtree's motivation for using this method was to:
a) Reduce the chances of mixed manufacture devices being used in their consumer units and thereby invalidating the assemblies BS EN 60439-3 type testing and guaranteed 16kA fault withstand.
b) Provide better protection of the live busbar.

yeah well busbars should always be shielded anyway....and what about barriers and/or enclosures Markie?....so if anyone had reason to go into a C/U...you would expect that they were competent .yes?....so they would know of the dangers. yes?.....a safe isolation before carrying out any work in a C/U maybe?......

 

[Wills]

I have had trouble with the Crabtree RCDs not slotting on to the busbar properly. I have only discovered this due to arcing when checking my connections.
I find them a pig to remove aswell, the clip on the underside of the RCD, that catches on the busbar, tends to break all too easily IMHO.

Still I prefer the Starbreaker range due to its enclosed busbar.

 

[action jackson]

Update-

The company that sold me the busbar has ordered a replacement FOC as it's just under a year old. However I have yet to hear back from crabtree ref a replacement RCCB. I emailed them yesterday morning but no response which is poor considering the safety implication I pointed out! I can't seem to find a number to call them on.