Todays botched Installation

[Octopus]

So today I was installing an extractor fan close to a 2nd DB in a house which was extended about 2 years ago.

This is the nice new shiney CU (and yes there is an EIC for this!) and given I'd viewed the EIC prior to starting, checked the EFLI for the circuit I wanted to add to and I must say I wasn't expecting anything unexpected!!




So I added my spur from the DB for the fan, did the R1 + R2, IR, EFLI and then set my tester to test the RCD..... neither RCD tripped but the power went off...... So I ask the client where the other DB is......

Ah yes, its tucked away and what do I find....



This RCD is after the 1st DB, and on one 40A breaker is supplying the garage PLUS all the MCB's on the 2nd DB, and yes its underfloor heating (a few rooms), a cooker, a hob and lights.

I must say I'm surprised that the MCB for this lot hasn't tripped before and what about the clown who did this lot??

Edit: Yes that is 16mm T & E feeding the 2nd DB which is about 7 or 8 metres away!

I really don't know how people sleep at night - and yes, its a registered Elecsa chap and he lives very close to me too!

The Silver Lining

I've now got to do an estimate to put this lot in such a way that it works properly, PLUS I've done an EICR this afternoon on their soon to be buy to Let, plus the remedials on the flat too.

Thanks to the other chap who clearly is operating as scarper and run!!

 

[Snapester]

Whats is the no no with hager board just out of interest, i've not heard it?
He has obviously decided to use the RCD unit to provide isolation over the 3m distance although i'm not sure if that breaker is DP, and then fed the following consumer unit with the 16mm T&E to the new CU.
Wouldn't the 40a RCD unit provide overcurrent protection for the 16mm T&E CU supply, although i agree that the diversity for the 2nd CU is probably incorrect. But surely if the cable is protected via the 40a RCD then this should prevent cable overload? And by the look they haven't overloaded it so far?
Not saying it isn't a shambles but does it contravene regs?

 

[Tonkatoy27]

The armoured looks more like 10mm, without any earth to the armour! (although that may be done at the other end although I doubt it) I'd still like to see a lower form of overcurrent protection other than the DNO cutout fuse. I can't figure out this new trend of not allowing any other make of mecb etc in a board other than the manufacturers. It's great for the manufacturers but not so great for us. (or Hagar and steeple who between them fit 90% on the market) Just another case of a reg making it hard for us who comply to compete with the cowboys. (in my opinion)

 

[Tonkatoy27]

40amp RCD is just the max current that can safely run through it, not the current it trips at. You'd need an RCBO for that. A 40amp RCD only provides earth leakage protection.

Unless I'm really wrong and missing something. In which case I'll be blaming the cider.....

 

[jumpin jax]

The RCD does not give overload protection, just fault protection, it is rated at 40 A meaning it can handle 40 A going through it without overheating or such like

 

[jumpin jax]

Too slow!

 

[Snapester]

I was wondering if it was an GE RCCB?

 

[Tonkatoy27]

@ Snapester. The no no is the reg that says something about following manufacturers instructions, that means that you can't mix and match breakers that fit in boards as all manufacturers say in the instructions that only genuine parts shall be used. Or thats how ELECSA explained it to me.

 

[Octopus]

Back to the OP, the RCD is "fed" from a 40A MCB in DB1, so there is overcurrent protection to DB2 and the garage.

 

[Tonkatoy27]

Can't see if its a RCD or an RCCB, thats why I said if. ;0)

 

[Tonkatoy27]

Ah, I would of thought those tails would be a bitch to terminate to the MCB and N bar in DB1!!!!!

 

[oldtimer]

All I did was add a spur to the ring at the board!!

I wasnt having a pop its just that I keep getting told you must not mix breakers as yes I know some fit a lot of boards but the manufacturers say well we only recommend ours. I have a quality street tin in the back of the motor with all sorts of breakers

 

[Snapester]

Yeah i agree must have been a bitch, they do look like original tails though humm...... Yeah the link i uploaded was an RCCB and it looks very similar to the OPs pic! Although i wasn't there ha.
So if the MCB feeds this unit, where is the issue with the cable overloading??

 

[Tonkatoy27]

No issue whatsoever, I just didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to use tails out of a 40amp MCB.....

 

[Snapester]

Well indeed i wonder why they didn't use 16mm T&E from CU.1 to RCD unit? Strange! But nether-less terrible termination! That would not pass for me!!