Old Crabtree ELCB

[T&Earth]

Hi Everyone

Some advice needed please, can you test a voltage operated ELCB with the modern RCD tester? Should these be replaced with a new front end RCD? If this was changed to front end 30mA RCD or 100mA (S) type RCD. Although the second option would not provide additional protection and the first option still would not be line with the 17th as any tripping would take everthing out.

All advice much apprciated

Many Thanks

Steve

 

[Sintra]

Voltage operated circuit breakers should be replaced with RCD's.

Is this for a PIR?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

You cannot test an ELCB with a RCD tester as the current required to trip them is much higher.An earth loop test will normally trip them.
They are no longer an acceptable means of eath fault protection and so no alterations or additions which would rely on an elcb should be carried out without upgrading the earth fault protection.
A single 30ma RCD could be used as emergency cover if the elcb fails, but the correct permanant solution is to provide proper multiple RCD protection ,to ensure discrimination between circuits to avoid a single fault taking out the entire installation.

 

[DurhamSparky]

30 ma front end is better than nothing!!!

 

[Des 56]

30 ma front end is better than nothing!!!

Yeah ,got to agree with that


I have yet to hear a thoroughly convincing argument against systems with one rcd covering the whole of an installation

Those systems allthough older,are more compliant with the 17th than the 16th ed split boards
eg
At least the bathroom circuits have 30m/amp protection,whereas the recently deceased split boards dont

I got one me self

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Sintra

Thanks for your reply, no its not for a PIR I been asked to run a new cooker circuit & kitchen ring, which I'm doing via a new 2 way RCBO board and not touching exsiting as customer has limited funds!!
Thanks
Steve

 

[T&Earth]

Hi All

Thanks for the advice, I will strongly advice customer to consider changing to fully comply with 17th when she has saved up.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Sintra]

Then all you need to do is to change ELCB to a 100mA time delayed RCD.

Split tails to original cu with henleys and install new 30mA protected cu for new circuits or use existing way in cu for sub main to a new cu.
This is providing you can not just install RCBO's in existing cu for new circuits.

Also need to upgrade earthing and bonding if not compliant to bs 7671 (2008)

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Sintra

To change the ELCB to 100mA (S) I would have to cut the seal of the main fuse! I was hoping to get the DNO to do this at a latter date. Now I'm not sure what to do!!

Many Thanks
Steve

 

[DurhamSparky]

seals... meter has seals!!!

best do the work and fit some of theses

20 Electrical / gas Meter Security Seals + Wire BARGAIN on eBay (end time 03-Jul-10 18:49:11 BST)

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Steve

Thanks for info

Cheers
Steve

 

[opm electrical]

when i used to work for blands we did work for south tyneside homes and they were too tight to pay to have the elcbs replaced or new boards put in and most of the installs were tt's so we had to come out of the board, into a 16a/30ma rcd unit then continue the circuit from there, if the money is tight its a little rough but its one way of covering your own work

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Opm

Thanks for your advice
Many Thanks
Steve