Electrician Jobs Looking for electrician to swap MCB in OL10 area.

[JakubKot]

Job Type Offered

One-off Job

Hi.
Im looking for electrician to swap mcb in my consumer unit for one suitable for single phase welder with max input current of 16A. In my consumer unit there is 32A type B mcb that was used with electric shower that is disconnected. I need it swapped for 16A type C (been told its a right one). Welder will use interlocked 16A socket on wall of garage that is part of house. I'm planning to use 4mm cable about 7m long. I need electrician to provide and swap suitable mcb. Consumer unit manufactured by Live Electrical.
Job in Heywood OL10.

 

[telectrix]

if your 4mm cable is installed clipped direct. not in insulation, the 32A MCB can stay.

 

[JakubKot]

if your 4mm cable is installed clipped direct. not in insulation, the 32A MCB can stay.

But what about using 16A socket with 32A MCB. Is MCB not supposed to be "the weakest link in chain"?

 

[telectrix]

the MCB is there to protect the cable from overload. 4mm cable is rated at 32A ( ref. method applied). using the equation Ib<In<Iz, ...16A<32A<32A, (the<symbol being equal to or less, can't do the proper symbol on pc.)

 

[FatAlan]

How much you charging for that advice Tel? Must have saved him a few quid there.

 

[westward10]

A 16A socked should be protected by a device not exceeding 20A. This can be applied where the circuit incorporates more than one socket, for a single point a 16A device makes sense not 32A.

 

[telectrix]

A 16A socked should be protected by a device not exceeding 20A. This can be applied where the circuit incorporates more than one socket, for a single point a 16A device makes sense not 32A.

that's debatable. the MCB is to protect the cable, not the socket. OK. BS1363 sockets are protected (downstream) by plug fuses, wheras toe 16A socket is not, but I'm sure a 32A MCB would trip before an overload is sufficient to destroy the socket. is there a reg. to dispute this?

 

[davesparks]

that's debatable. the MCB is to protect the cable, not the socket. OK. BS1363 sockets are protected (downstream) by plug fuses, wheras toe 16A socket is not, but I'm sure a 32A MCB would trip before an overload is sufficient to destroy the socket. is there a reg. to dispute this?

I'm sure you could argue that the regs allow it, but I'd say common sense needs to play a part in this. Why wouldn't you want to protect a 16A socket with a 16A ocpd?

 

[telectrix]

I'm sure you could argue that the regs allow it, but I'd say common sense needs to play a part in this. Why wouldn't you want to protect a 16A socket with a 16A ocpd?

ideasl situation is a 16A or 20A MCB. my point was that OP could leave the 32A in, esp. if there were other outlets on the circuit. in this case it seems that it will be a dedicated circuit so, yes reduce the In to suit.
[automerge]1569852032[/automerge]
a bit off topic, but according to Wylex in an article in PE, they say that a AFDD negates the need for a RCD. I can't see how.

Wylex reasons

Visit Wylex reasons to discover all the good reasons to choose Wylex and to find out what Wylex can do for you

www.wylexreasons.co.uk

 

[Devonchris]

New multi purpose, MCB, RCD and AFDD are all combined in a single unit.

 

[Midwest]

I'm sure you could argue that the regs allow it, but I'd say common sense needs to play a part in this. Why wouldn't you want to protect a 16A socket with a 16A ocpd?

Bit like a 32A ocpd protecting a 20A twin socket outlet

 

[davesparks]

Bit like a 32A ocpd protecting a 20A twin socket outlet

That would also go against common sense, for A twin socket outlet I'd protect it with 20A maximum.
For multiple twin socket outlets on a single circuit then yes I would use a 32A circuit.