MK sentry busbar configuration

[newtothis]

I’m having my CU changed this Friday – I’m going to be doing it under supervision. A EICR prior, then EIC will be completed, and the job will be notified.

Im having a go at planning out and arranging the MCBs how I want them beforehand.
I'm a touch annoyed and deflated,I can't even do this seeminly simple task


The CU is an MK dual RCD K7666SP, the build quality seems bad, even compared to the existing 16[SUP]th[/SUP] ed Marbo one that’s currently installed. By bad I mean the plastic casing seems wafer thin and the terminal bar at the top seems very creaky.


The image below shows the way I’d want it arranged. I want one circuit protected by an 16A RCBO which I’m waiting on being delivered today.



The busbar hasn’t been cut and I will wait and let the fully qualified electrician do it so I see how it’s done properly.


Here is the Question:

I’m uneasy about the busbar section from the main switch to the rcbo (currently a 16Amcb. Is it wrong ? I will find out on Friday but I’m curious, and a bit concerned.


[FONT=&quot]Id fully understand if no help is forthcoming :13:[/FONT]

 

[Simonslimline]

First off, yes the plastic MK Boards are absolute cack IMO.

In regards to the MCB's, start with the higher In rating and descend, do this for both RCD's, but make sure the circuits are split over the RCD's in a way that you don't have say, "upstairs sockets and upstairs lights on the same RCD".

That is how the busbar will go once it is ready to be cut and secured in to the 3 positions.

I use a pair of these for cutting busbar personally, although others may differ in there choice of tool in regards to this.

Good luck with the change mate.

 

[telectrix]

start with the higher In rating and descend

not always the best idea. it's good practice not to fit heavy load MCBs adjacent to each other. usually though, with a dual RCD board, these loads can be split across the 2 RCDs. e.g. elec. boiler on RCD1 and 10kw shower on RCD2.

 

[Simonslimline]

start with the higher In rating and descend

not always the best idea. it's good practice not to fit heavy load MCBs adjacent to each other. usually though, with a dual RCD board, these loads can be split across the 2 RCDs. e.g. elec. boiler on RCD1 and 10kw shower on RCD2.

Yeah i did mean this.

May not have written it very clearly though.

 

[newtothis]

Thanks for the replies I am resonably happy with the how the MCBs are laid out, I've considered the convenience factor in the event of a trip,and tried to spread the load on the two RCDs evenly.

2 of the MCBs will not be used. the 40A and one of the 33A.
I haven't got an electric shower I forked out £600 Mira shower fed by a combi boiler.
I don't like electric showers, even though it's probably a bad outlook for someone who wants to be a spark.:cheesy:

What I was worried about is the actual connection of the busbar to the L side of the main switch cos it's got that brown fat cable in it. This is what I'm asking/fretting about, as usual I've made it clear as mud :stuart:

Hmm the MK board is flimsy,I was thinking when I tighted the N and E terminals up I might wrench the termal off the plastic frame. there is a plastic T joint going underneath so hopefully that should add a bit of rigidity.

 

[Simonslimline]

Thanks for the replies I am resonably happy with the how the MCBs are laid out, I've considered the convenience factor in the event of a trip,and tried to spread the load on the two RCDs evenly.

2 of the MCBs will not be used. the 40A and one of the 33A.
I haven't got an electric shower I forked out £600 Mira shower fed by a combi boiler.
I don't like electric showers, even though it's probably a bad outlook for someone who wants to be a spark.:cheesy:

What I was worried about is the actual connection of the busbar to the L side of the main switch cos it's got that brown fat cable in it. This is what I'm asking/fretting about, as usual I've made it clear as mud :stuart:

Hmm the MK board is flimsy,I was thinking when I tighted the N and E terminals up I might wrench the termal off the plastic frame. there is a plastic T joint going underneath so hopefully that should add a bit of rigidity.

You have nothing to worry about to be honest.

Just make sure the termination is sufficiently tight and the bus bar and cable are sitting in the switch properly. Jobs a goodun.

 

[newtothis]

You have nothing to worry about to be honest.

Just make sure the termination is sufficiently tight and the bus bar and cable are sitting in the switch properly. Jobs a goodun.

Ah thanks just looking for a bit of reassurance before Friday so i didn't look like stupid.

Interesting you say snip them, makes sense, I was going to hacksaw it.:stooge_moe:

 

[hightower]

I was going to hacksaw it.:stooge_moe:

We tend to hacksaw. Unless you have a vice in the van (at home in your case) it can be very awkward and not give you the best looking cut.

 

[newtothis]

We tend to hacksaw. Unless you have a vice in the van (at home in your case) it can be very awkward and not give you the best looking cut.

thanks for that. The busbar with that board is pre-scored I figured it would be easy, was just going to hold it with a pair of pliers and hack it through. Maybe I should be looking at getting a vice ?

 

[telectrix]

i use my teeth.

 

[newtothis]

Ha ha.. I used to be open beer bottles with my teeth, now I dearn't risk it

 

[happysteve]

i use my teeth.

You still have your teeth?!? :aureola:

 

[telectrix]

of course.well, most of 'em. and me own barnett.

 

[Simonslimline]

Ah thanks just looking for a bit of reassurance before Friday so i didn't look like stupid.

Interesting you say snip them, makes sense, I was going to hacksaw it.:stooge_moe:

I find either my Knipex bolt cutters or 200mm NWS sidecutters go through it like butter to be honest. And as you have stated, there is a line where you make the cut already on the bus bar.

 

[newtothis]

I've done it with my CK cable cutters, as you say went through easy made a little bit of a curved edge on the cut - so I put a bit of wood on it and tapped it out with a hammer. Hopefully down the line I'll look back an laugh at how I was stressing over this.

Thanks for all your help.
I want to wire it really hyper neatly. The cables with all come from below - any quick tips on that ?
I think I'll just study pics of neat installs and figure it out.