Mixing different makes of CU and MCBs, and annual scam assessment.

[Heisenberg]

Has anyone out there ever had any problems on their annual assessments, from having used mixed makes of CU and breakers when doing CU upgrades?

I know this has been heavily debated and the general sensible consensus is that it should not make the blindest bit off difference, but strictly speaking it is still against the regs.
I've got my re-assessment coming up and I don't want to pick an install for assessment that will cause me any grief.

Cheers

 

[Amp David]

I had mine week before last. Job I showed was a Wylex CU and had Volex MCBs in place. Made a point of mentioning this and he couldn't give a ---- about it.

 

[Heisenberg]

I had mine week before last. Job I showed was a Wylex CU and had Volex MCBs in place. Made a point of mentioning this and he couldn't give a ---- about it.

Just out of curiosity, which scam are you with? If you don't mind me asking :winkiss:

 

[Taylortwocities]

it should not make the blindest bit off difference, but strictly speaking it is still against the regs.

I think its lazy and looks cr@p but I've always doubted the assertion that manufacturers ony type approve assemblies using all their own kit.

But I'm curious. Would you care to quote the reg that says you should not do this?

 

[Amp David]

Just out of curiosity, which scam are you with? If you don't mind me asking :winkiss:

Elecsa

 

[Heisenberg]

But I'm curious. Would you care to quote the reg that says you should not do this?

134.1.1

 

[RISElectrical]

Most are made in the same factory and just rebranded anyway

 

[Heisenberg]

Most are made in the same factory and just rebranded anyway

I'm not trying to re-start the debate, just seeing if it ever gets bought up at assessments.

Cheers

 

[somersetsparks]

wylex, volex, newlec, crabtree are all 'badge engineered'
Personally If it fits and sits nicely and doesn't distort the busbar, I dont care. If you are fitting a new CU though why would you not use the same brand?

 

[nickblake]

wylex, volex, newlec, crabtree are all 'badge engineered'
Personally If it fits and sits nicely and doesn't distort the busbar, I dont care. If you are fitting a new CU though why would you not use the same brand?

All manufactured by electrium they are the same just differantnames on the breakers , the problem is with this if you have a problem with the board or breaker nd you have mixed and matched then your warrenty will be void if there is a fire and you have mixed and matched then you will be liable , well all know what happened to the electrium mcb's a few years ago do we

 

[Engineer54]

I'd love to see/hear the manufactures arguments in a court of law, for voiding a CU's warranty on mixing breakers that have been manufactured to the same exacting BS standards etc and made on the same machines by the same manufacturer but with different brand names printed on them.... lol!!

 

[Taylortwocities]

134.1.1

That reg relates to following the manufacturers' instrictions.
Well, I have looked at the MIs for both Hager and Wylex. Nowhere does it say that one must only fit their specific devices in the housing.

your warrenty will be void if there is a fire and you have mixed and matched then you will be liable , well all know what happened to the electrium mcb's a few years ago do we

Yes, well the fire risk was in housings with all-Wylex breakers.....

 

[Heisenberg]

That reg relates to following the manufacturers' instrictions.
Well, I have looked at the MIs for both Hager and Wylex. Nowhere does it say that one must only fit their specific devices in the housing.

No, but crucially they only mention using their own kit, not anyone elses. So by not using their kit, you are automatically not following their instructions. Simples.

Anyway, this thread is not about that, it's about this issue being brought up in assessments, and if anyone has had that happen.

Cheers

 

[somersetsparks]

And what warranty would apply to a 20 year fuseboard?
Over torqueing the connections would void the warranty - how many people do them up to 2Nm?

Most cars say only genuine parts to be fitted, most garages fit 'pattern' parts as they are usually cheaper.

Sparks are a funny breed of worriers sometimes!

 

[DNS1]

Did a job recently and CEF wanted £70 to order me a 30mA RCD unit for a MCG board.

Found out that BG units are identical apart from the badge, so picked up one of them instead. No warranty left on the MCG board anyway.

Can't imagine it being a problem for "insurance" reasons etc. Never heard of a car insurance firm refusing to pay out because the tyres weren't originals approved by the manufacturer.

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Over torqueing the connections would void the warranty - how many people do them up to 2Nm?

Where do I get a VDE torque-meter terminal driver?!