Volex cu rcd

[bjl]

My mum has a Volex CU which has been nuisance tripping last few months, tried disconnecting, switching off various things but found nothing that causes it. After a while it will come back on, but it has gone now and will not switch back on feels as no tension in RCD switch. Problem is cannot find VR63 what other brand is compatible with volex?

 

[telectrix]

basically, any 30mA RCD that has a similar current rating, and will fit. however, you're best finding the original fault if you are competent to do so and have the right test gear. if not, then get an electrician to attend.

 

[bjl]

i am a maintenance engineer and a qualified sparky, i think its a faulty RCD do you know what brand will go with volex?

 

[telectrix]

as i said. any 30mA RCD with a rating of 63A or greater that will physically fit, will do the job. i've fitted BG RCDs in obsolete CUs with no trouble. only thing to watch out for is if L and N are labelelled the wrong way round. e.g with square/schneider, which have the L to the right and a cranked busbar round the N.

 

[davesparks]

Strictly speaking you should only replace volex with volex, otherwise you may have warranty issues. But depending on the age of the RCD volex have been a part of the electrium group for many many years, the group also encompasses Wylex and Crabtree so all parts are pretty common if of the same age.

But the feeling of there being no tension in the RCD switch does not mean that it has failed, it is quite normal when an RCD is closed onto a fault.

 

[telectrix]

or try here:

Sector Steeple Volex RCD 40A 63A 80A 2 Pole 30mA 230V | eBay

 

[DPG]

Be worth testing the RCD. Out of interest if nothing else - see what it actually trips at. Daz

 

[stevey1983]

Wylex and volex thought was made by same factory in same moulds so should fit. Çoukd be wrong

 

[Darkwood]

Be worth testing the RCD. Out of interest if nothing else - see what it actually trips at. Daz

Cheers for the heads up on the duplicate thread, missed this one had already been approved.

 

[bjl]

thanks for all that apparently iv just been told it switched back on now and nothing has been changed on the circuits off it. So hence im thinking its a faulty RCD it must be about 9 yrs old

 

[Deleted member 9648]

thanks for all that apparently iv just been told it switched back on now and nothing has been changed on the circuits off it. So hence im thinking its a faulty RCD it must be about 9 yrs old

It may be a faulty RCD but I'm gobsmacked that you would come to that conclusion without any testing of circuits whatsoever. So if you fork out for a new RCD and it still trips....what's next? TESTING!!!....So test first rather than just guessing!

 

[davesparks]

thanks for all that apparently iv just been told it switched back on now and nothing has been changed on the circuits off it. So hence im thinking its a faulty RCD it must be about 9 yrs old

That is highly unlikely if it has now closed successfully, for an RCD to fail to close you would normally expect a mechanical failure inside the unit, this wouldn't just go away on its own.
It is far more likely that there was/is a fault somewhere causing this tripping.
As mentioned elsewhere it won't take you long to test the RCD to confirm whether or not it is working

 

[DPG]

What they said above ^^^^ Why take the risk???? Daz

 

[davesparks]

Considering that you'll be testing the new RCD before putting it in to service anyway you must already have the test equipment available to carry out the test

 

[DPG]

Considering that you'll be testing the new RCD before putting it in to service anyway you must already have the test equipment available to carry out the test

Ha ha. We all know the answer to that one Daz