To torque or not to torque that is z question

[Dustydazzler]

so I need to add 1 mcb to a rather old existing mem consumers unit

I have managed to source the mcb via ‘cough’ eBay ‘cough’

But it doesn’t have the manufacture spec installation instructions manual for correct torque

Should I..
A , contact mem helpline for further information
B , wing it and guess the required torque
C , just use a normal Phillips screwdriver and let my wrist do the torquing

Thought ?

 

[freddo]

And trying to find the fault before running out of fuse wire

I had a few sizes of wylex plug in mcb for such occasions, when everything was all good again the original fuse could be rewired and refitted.

 

[Charlie_]

I had a few sizes of wylex plug in mcb for such occasions, when everything was all good again the original fuse could be rewired and refitted.

Haha.. snap, we used to do that too! Forgot all about that

 

[coolsparx]

I find all this torque somewhat strange, we never had torque info' or tools pushed onto us back in the day, we just learnt what was about right and I have yet to return to any job because I under or over tightened a cable termination.
Is this just another money spinning exercise by the industry or do we really have masses of professionals making bad terminations?

Masses of professionals (or not) not given time on new builds to make good connections anywhere! The rest of us have to pay & comply.

 

[Pete999]

Masses of professionals (or not) not given time on new builds to make good connections anywhere! The rest of us have to pay & comply.

Masses of "Professionals for making bad connections" for lack of a better word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[threepin]

Do you really mean a normal Phillips screwdriver? Many, if not most MCBs will have Pozidriv screws and the right screwdriver should be used, otherwise both screwdriver and screw will be damaged.

The use of the wrong screwdriver is probably one of the main reasons that MCB screws are not tightened correctly.

Some torque screwdrivers come with modified Pozidriv bits with two wings of the bit extended to suit the screws which have both a Pozidriv recess and a cross slot. These bits seem to take a better grip than others.

 

[westward10]

They are called plus/minus heads for some reason. I break about three a year.

 

[Pete999]

All relevant arguments and comment from all concerned, but the main reason for bad connections imo is bad or inadequate training, and producing, in some cases poor DIs, who are let loose on the public by the Scams who are just after their money. Old it may be but true never the less.

 

[Midwest]

Do you really mean a normal Phillips screwdriver? Many, if not most MCBs will have Pozidriv screws and the right screwdriver should be used, otherwise both screwdriver and screw will be damaged.

The use of the wrong screwdriver is probably one of the main reasons that MCB screws are not tightened correctly.

Some torque screwdrivers come with modified Pozidriv bits with two wings of the bit extended to suit the screws which have both a Pozidriv recess and a cross slot. These bits seem to take a better grip than others.

They are called plus/minus heads for some reason. I break about three a year.

He's right (moustacheo bloke) and your wrong. Have another look at the terminal.

 

[Jjc]

so I need to add 1 mcb to a rather old existing mem consumers unit

I have managed to source the mcb via ‘cough’ eBay ‘cough’

But it doesn’t have the manufacture spec installation instructions manual for correct torque

Should I..
A , contact mem helpline for further information
B , wing it and guess the required torque
C , just use a normal Phillips screwdriver and let my wrist do the torquing

Thought ?

You are having a laugh , torque?

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

I always use a torque driver to tighten to the upper limit of the manufacturers tabulated Nm for the specific terminal.
I use the same brand of RCBO board most of the time so it’s not tricky to remember, and if I go ever go too far above it the accessory usually shows some sign of damage pretty quickly.
What surprises me is how loose it seems to be, particularly on meter tails and larger T&E/SWA cables. But it’s in there. Interestingly other manufacturers tabulated figures differ and one (Hager, IIRC) alters the torque requirements depending on the size of cable to be inserted.
Which is nice...

 

[Markyd]

Is this post for real?

 

[Pete999]

Is this post for real?

Why do you ask? seems a reasonable sort of question.

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

Post edited

 

[Markyd]

Why do you ask? seems a reasonable sort of question.

So if you cant find the torque setting are you telling me you wouldnt be able to tighten it up and would have to ask for help

 

[Markyd]

Why do you ask? seems a reasonable sort of question.

So if you cant find the torque setting are you telling me you wouldnt be able to tighten it up and would have to ask for help