Special Locations use of RCBO

[Rob Smith 643]

How does this sit with the more recently experienced among our number.

Prior to accreditation I had the bathroom refitted and electrical work carried out as part of the refit. The electrician subbied by the fitting team used a spare way in the consumer unit protected by the RCD i.e. moved the mcb from non-protected side into protected side of the unit. If there had not been a spare 'way' what would the options have been and could an RCBO have been used on the 'unprotected' side of the consumer unit?

Yours, Rob

 

[telectrix]

could an RCBO have been used on the 'unprotected' side of the consumer unit?

yes it could. no reason why not.

 

[Strima]

Makes complete sense to me and he's saved you a few quid.

Why can't all jobs be that easy?

 

[Welchyboy]

Was the new circuit installed to supply lighting or power?(eg UFH etc) If power I would of installed it as this chap has done, if he was protecting your existing lighting circuit that enters the special location I would of used an RCBO as this would mean your now going to loose that lighting circuit when your main RCD trips

 

[Rob Smith 643]

Was the new circuit installed to supply lighting or power?(eg UFH etc) If power I would of installed it as this chap has done, if he was protecting your existing lighting circuit that enters the special location I would of used an RCBO as this would mean your now going to loose that lighting circuit when your main RCD trips

I understand and like your thinking. Its the latter, protecting lighting/extractors. It was probably a decision of his based on cost. He did say that he would have mounted another small CU alongside the main CU if the spare way had not been available. This is what prompted me to ask about the options and the use of rcbo. Not sure if rcbo is available for a 14 yr old Crabtree CU?

The electrician did suggest that at some point I should consider a newer CU with two rcd's for better separation.

By the way, thank you.

Rob

 

[Octopus]

If you've got a board with 1 RCD and several "non" RCD protected circuits, I'd suggest the best way forward, space, CU type and RCBO's being available would be to change the non protected side to RCBO's.

It may cost a little bit more in parts but almost certainly less in time.

 

[Welchyboy]

I use eBay for rcbo's, very cheap, just make sure it's from a reputable seller and not from hong kong!!

 

[Octopus]

I use eBay for rcbo's, very cheap, just make sure it's from a reputable seller and not from hong kong!!

Not always easy when you're fitting the same make as the CU you are upgrading!