WARNING old Style Wylex Breakers (not Plug ins)

[jellen]

Hi Guys

Just a word of warning to you all. I have been working on an industrial site that has the old style wylex 3-phase DB's (nothing wrong with them). Whilst isolating circuits I have noticed that some MCBS are NOT disconnecting the supply when in the off position . Out of the 20 odd breakers 8 have this problem!! It may be an isolated case but I think its worth getting a heads up on.

James

 

[Spudnik]

Thanks for the heads up, James.

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

cheers bud

 

[jellen]

No probs guys, i now have to check 40 other buildings to see if this is a common fault .

P.S. I need to get some photos of the installs, some lighting circuits are on 30a mcbs!! Its even more shocking when you know who the installation contractor was!

 

[Spudnik]

P.S. I need to get some photos of the installs, some lighting circuits are on 30a mcbs!! Its even more shocking when you know who the installation contractor was!

Look forward to seeing those!

 

[jellen]

Look forward to seeing those!

I take it I can't name the cowboys?!?!

 

[Spudnik]

Best not.

 

[jellen]

Best not.

DAM IT

Will get some pics tmoz

 

[boatnik1]

Wylex isn't the only breed of breakers with this fault. Damp atmosphere and the fact that the things can be in the ON position for years without ever being turned off messes up a lot of them. Ones I've come accross didn't open when turned off but functioned correctly when O/L tripped. I spent years working on live circuits so never assumed anything was off. One advantage of fuses over breakers is, seeing is believing.
Came across many an isolator below a board which wasn't the board isolated. Makes for an exciting life.

 

[jellen]

well we've found a few more, around another 50 . I am asuming that the breakers have been turned off, the periodic inspection is only 3 years old on most of these buildings.............Me thinks someone didn't do there job right!!

 

[mrloy99]

well we've found a few more, around another 50 . I am asuming that the breakers have been turned off, the periodic inspection is only 3 years old on most of these buildings.............Me thinks someone didn't do there job right!!

Sounds very scarey and I'm surprised that this hasn't come to light before.Are they all rated the same
ampage? possibly a bad batch? or maybe ring circuits supplied from 2 separate breakers?Sounds unbelievable sorry.

 

[boatnik1]

well we've found a few more, around another 50 . I am asuming that the breakers have been turned off, the periodic inspection is only 3 years old on most of these buildings.............Me thinks someone didn't do there job right!!

Is there a possibility that these are groups of single pole breakers (instead of 3P) being used to feed motor circuits and your getting a back feed through the other phases of a motor or similar.

Periodics are only as reliable as the outfit who do them. No matter whose name is on the ticket, be wary, after all It's you who'll get your fingers burnt. Far be it from me to say that company entertainment/ lunches/bar bills can go a long way in getting certs for all sorts of things.

 

[jellen]

so far these are all SP MCBS feeding either ring or radial circuits, i have disconected the load from them to check that it wasn't a back feed. The breakers vary in ratings as well

 

[mrloy99]

so far these are all SP MCBS feeding either ring or radial circuits, i have disconected the load from them to check that it wasn't a back feed. The breakers vary in ratings as well

sounds like a job that wylex might be very interested in taking a look at themselves.

 

[jellen]

Was thinking that Think the company is going to have them replaced with Merlin Boards though so im not complaining