MCB and RCD mix and match of makes 536.4.203

That however would require them to OK the use of another manufacturer's equipment (therefore no profit to them). Not ever going to happen sans legislation. Such legislation could be brought in. But would limit the choices in a different way. For example, if there were a 'national standard' for physical size, connection placement etc, then Crabtree would stop making starbreaker equipment. Which would be a sad loss indeed

Some years ago I went to alter an existing electrical installation for a kitchen company. I took the cover off the Crabtree split load consumer unit and the busbar plastic shroud had melted then set again leaving a plastic stalagmite hanging down behind the RCD.


I showed it to the homeowners who said the RCD had been replaced by an electrician about a year before by an electrician after the original RCD failed, the new replacement RCD looked the same but the plug blade on the back of it was mounted slightly differently and its dimensions were different. I spoke to Crabtree and confirmed that the new Crabtree RCDs and MCBs aren’t compatible with the original Crabtree plug in consumer units, and at that time they were selling replacement MCBs, but not replacement RCDs so the only thing to do was to replace the complete consumer unit.


There must be a huge number of Crabtree consumer units with incompatible devices all made by Crabtree installed within them.


Andy

WOW that seems like a major oversight of them not to use the redesign to make the breaker PHYSICALLY incompatible. I had no idea. I will bear this story in mind!