New circuits, Re-wireable fuses and BS 3871 mcbs

[atm84]

Hyperthetical question re Commercial Installations-

If you were to be installing a new circuit and/or reconfiguring an existing circuit which was served from a Distribution Board with BS 3871 MCB's or BS 3036 Rewirable fuses, would you suggest to the client that the existing distribution board is updated.

OR

would you perhaps leave the existing distribution board alone and maybe install an RCD unit in line to protect those circuits that required an RCD.

Bearing in mind that the existing distribution boards are perhaps in the region of 40 years +.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Hyperthetical question re Commercial Installations-

If you were to be installing a new circuit and/or reconfiguring an existing circuit which was served from a Distribution Board with BS 3871 MCB's or BS 3036 Rewirable fuses, would you suggest to the client that the existing distribution board is updated.

OR

would you perhaps leave the existing distribution board alone and maybe install an RCD unit in line to protect those circuits that required an RCD.

Bearing in mind that the existing distribution boards are perhaps in the region of 40 years +.

You would generally only have to install an RCD depending on the installation method ,supplying socket outlets or in a bathroom,etc. So IMO it all depends on what the proposed work is.

 

[telectrix]

as he said. ^^^^^^. don't forget that under 3rd amdt. RCD/s can be omitted following a RA, if there's likely to be problems. also, if the existing DB is safe for continued use, no need to replace unless replacement would be advantageous.

 

[atm84]

You would generally only have to install an RCD depending on the installation method ,supplying socket outlets or in a bathroom,etc. So IMO it all depends on what the proposed work is.

Thanks for your response. As in my OP I would only install an RCD unit where required.

My main question is, would you suggest replacing the whole board if new circuits would be protected by re-wireable fuses or BS 3871 that are in excess of 40 years of age.

Would it be a suggestion or a requirement?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Thanks for your response. As in my OP I would only install an RCD unit where required.

My main question is, would you suggest replacing the whole board if new circuits would be protected by re-wireable fuses or BS 3871 that are in excess of 40 years of age.

Would it be a suggestion or a requirement?

No I wouldn't. As tel said above as long as the dis board is safe for continued use.

 

[telectrix]

suggestion, IMHO. 3036 fuses are open to idiots fitting oversize fuse wire, and elderly 3871s, you don't know how reliable they still are if they've had a hard life.

 

[atm84]

suggestion, IMHO. 3036 fuses are open to idiots fitting oversize fuse wire, and elderly 3871s, you don't know how reliable they still are if they've had a hard life.

My thoughts exactly. I often have this situation and most clients agree to the upgrade but now and again there is the odd client who is of the view 'well its been there 40 odd years and has never been a problem, why should I have to pay for an upgrade now'.

In addition, by upgrading the whole board, all circuits need to be tested and that can often open a whole new can of worms.

 

[Leesparkykent]

My thoughts exactly. I often have this situation and most clients agree to the upgrade but now and again there is the odd client who is of the view 'well its been there 40 odd years and has never been a problem, why should I have to pay for an upgrade now'.

In addition, by upgrading the whole board, all circuits need to be tested and that can often open a whole new can of worms.

If it's a wylex 3036 board you can just get the 60898 push in replacements.

 

[atm84]

If it's a wylex 3036 board you can just get the 60898 push in replacements.

Are they BS 60898 or BS 3871? Either way, one other issue with the older boards is the accessibility to live parts.

I'm just playing devils advocate and trying to look at the pros and cons.

 

[Anthony S]

Atm84

You still questioning your superiors ? you need to assess each job and make a decision with what's in front of you.

 

[telectrix]

at the end of the day, it's up to you to advise (not push) the customer on the advantages, then let him decide.

 

[TJ Anderson]

Are they BS 60898 or BS 3871? Either way, one other issue with the older boards is the accessibility to live parts.

I'm just playing devils advocate and trying to look at the pros and cons.

They are 60898 B Type now, but earlier ones were 3871.

 

[atm84]

Atm84

You still questioning your superiors ? you need to assess each job and make a decision with what's in front of you.

Yes. I am trying to ascertain what the minimum requirements are and then trying to assess the situation and make the decision rather than go in like a bull in a china shop with the belt and braces approach. Not all clients want to pay for both belts and braces and if a belt is sufficient, why pay for the braces too.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Are they BS 60898 or BS 3871? Either way, one other issue with the older boards is the accessibility to live parts.

I'm just playing devils advocate and trying to look at the pros and cons.

The ones you can buy now from the wholesalers are BS 60898. This is what I mean by safe for continued use for instance when you fit these replacements that we are talking about you should buy the correct fuse cover for the dis board that will fit with the new replacements or cut the existing fuse cover so no gaps are left round the outside.

 

[Anthony S]

Yes. I am trying to ascertain what the minimum requirements are and then trying to assess the situation and make the decision rather than go in like a bull in a china shop with the belt and braces approach. Not all clients want to pay for both belts and braces and if a belt is sufficient, why pay for the braces too.

Each job can be different therefore you have to you have to weigh it up on its own. Iv'e just looked at job where a few sparks have been round and recommended a rewire (quite a big property) and one said the people need to move out lol

There's no evidence of any paper work to suggest a rewire and the people paid £150 for some testing and one of the circuits was disconnected from the dis-board.

Basically had the p*ss took out of them and its not right.