Upgrading Wylex re-wrirable fuses to MCBs

[Ali3nat0r]

Hi, I planned on replacing all the fuses in my consumer unit with MCBs. I found some on eBay for cheap which were listed as working so I got those, but the pin spacing is different to the old fuses. They didn't come with the base socket so is it just going to be a case of getting a new socket from somewhere, or have I bought something I can't use? Picture attached to show size difference.

 

[Octopus]

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink!

 

[Rockingit]

ali, Wouldnt cost much more to upgrade to a 17th edition board with rcd protection.
Everything rockingit stated above is correct... apart from (no4) as you can just isolate your board at the main switch to swap the fuse and carriers without taking out the main incoming fuse

Agreed in the truest sense, but are you seriously suggesting that we advocate telling a DIY enthusiast that it is ok to remove the front cover off a board and work on it live?? You are placing a huge amount of faith in them knowing where it is, and isn't, safe to go, probably without even insulated tools.

I'm all for assisting and giving good advice to those who want to have a go but know their limitations, but I think we need to take a reality check at live boards fellas.

 

[telectrix]

agreed. as i said before, a lot of the old wylex boards have the shrouds on the incoming terminals missing. waiting for the unwary.

 

[goldie]

Agreed in the truest sense, but are you seriously suggesting that we advocate telling a DIY enthusiast that it is ok to remove the front cover off a board and work on it live?? You are placing a huge amount of faith in them knowing where it is, and isn't, safe to go, probably without even insulated tools.

I'm all for assisting and giving good advice to those who want to have a go but know their limitations, but I think we need to take a reality check at live boards fellas.

Completely agree but the lid doesnt have to be removed as you can remove the carriers with the lid in place, aslong as the switch is off the busbar and top fuse connection are the only exposed parts which arent live, But i did state that he shouldnt carry this works out.

 

[Rockingit]

I didn't think that you could - I thought there is a flange on them that stops that. Might be wrong, will have to go dig out an old board from the scrap heap and look!!

 

[telectrix]

the fuses themselves prevent you taking the cover off with fuses in place. MCBs have a nib on them for this, but usually lid can be wriggled off. goldie is correct in saying that you can remove/replace fuses/MCBs with cover left on.

 

[goldie]

the fuses themselves prevent you taking the cover off with fuses in place. MCBs have a nib on them for this, but usually lid can be wriggled off. goldie is correct in saying that you can remove/replace fuses/MCBs with cover left on.

Indeed, and the fuse/mcb carriers

 

[Specialist]

Yep you can, done it loads of times. Cause i'm just too lazy to take the lid off. Lol

 

[Deleted member 9648]

As far as I'm concerned if you isolate the main switch on the CU all the fuses and busbar are dead....it's then just a case of unscrewing the carrier,screwing the new mcb carrier on...and plugging in the mcb. No need to remove the cover or get invoved with any live bits. A competant DIYer is more than capable of that ,and as long as he replaces each fuse with the same rating mcb cant see a problem. OK,technically because you are changing the characteristics of the protective device a Zs test should be carried out on each circuit to verify disconnection times....but as long as the ratings are the same whats the chances of any issues here when replacing S/E fuses to mcb's?
Part P or not,you dont need an apprenticeship and years of experience for this simple job,and it's somewhat high handed of us to think you do.

 

[Rockingit]

Tell you what Wire, next time you're annual assesment comes up, try doing what you've just described as your demonstration piece. Let us know how you get on.

 

[telectrix]

i agree with wp. inasmuch as a competent diy'er can do this job. it's not a big step up from changing a blown fuse. OK , a spark would take readings of the circuits to confirm disconnection times and safety issues, but we are in danger of pandering to the nanny state if being too strict in advising diy-ers not to do anything in their own homes. what concerns me more is the possibility that these 2nd hand MCBs might have been hammered and the OP has no way of testing them.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

There is no requirement under Part P to notify the replacemant of a Circuit Protective Device.
Installing these devices would not require signing off, note (b) only applies to: "Refixing or replacing the enclosures of existing installation componants."

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Spin its not a replacement. They're different?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Spin its not a replacement. They're different?

Of course it's a replacement, the fact that the two items are different is irrelevant.
There is a general mis-conception that Part P only allows 'like for like' replacements.
The term 'like for like' is not used in Part P.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Of course it's a replacement, the fact that the two items are different is irrelevant.
There is a general mis-conception that Part P only allows 'like for like' replacements.
The term 'like for like' is not used in Part P.

Cool, I'm not being devils advocate, just don't understand the detail. Sounds good to me.

I'm trying not to say "who cares anyway" ......!

Thanks spinlondon its a good point.