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Older boards and availability/compatibility of devices

psychicwarrior
I know, I know, its been a subject of many threads over the years...but I am bringing it up again.  More a moan I think over the inflexibility (perhaps with good reason I accept sometimes) at times.


Old Volex board - not even split load...all MCB.   In good order, all aspects look lovely.   Ideally, time for a board change....well if you think so ;-)


Now then,  some minor works (circuit extension) would dictate  the requirement for RCD protection.   Solutions, shift the circuit to small outboard BS61008 enclosure; new board...or source and fit RCBO, which seems perfect and is the most cost-effective and simplest...other than...it seems that using another manufacturer RCBO is seriously frowned on... by Volex at least (and I am sure others).   Well I've known this for a while, but never faced a situation where doing so would be the most feasible option.


Is it really that bad to fit another brand device into an old board...what really are the *real* safety risks if the thing is secure and fits.  I cant really think of any other than fluff - assuming its same rating etc and sits nice.


I've heard the phrase type tested and I take it that means that everything in a consumer unit was tested to perform to standards etc when it was made up.  Then putting in a different RCBO means that is now 'broken' as such.


My question and I am just trying to understand the technical and regulatory issues here:  is it not possible at all, to issue a MEIWC to current Regs as a result of putting in a different branded RCBO (I cannot re-do the type testing etc of course!) and where might/is that prohibition backed up in the 'frustrating' Regs Book please ?




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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    FWIW my take on this is that you can mix and match if the manufacturer of both the enclosure and existing devices, and the new device states that they are compatible.

    e.g. Schneider making a statement with regard to their new breakers and their older Merlin Gerin range.


    The issue lie outside BS 7671 it lie in the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations, UK law and how the manufacturers comply with this regarding their consumer units and devices.


    The manufacturers take the presumption of conformity route, bu designing, manufacturing and testing in accordance with the harmonised standards.

    They do this for their range of devices and product that they foresee as being required to be utilised together.

    This gives them a type tested assembly and offers compliance with the law.

    So, anything that moves away from this manufacturers type tested assembly, either has to be declared as safe by them, e.g. the example above, or the person who modifies the assembly must ensure that it meets the requirements of the law.

    They are placing a new assembly onto the market which is now no longer type tested and thus, must be verified as compliant with the requirements.


    Now there is a British Standard that you can follow for the modification of distribution boards which is around £200 IIRC.

    This covers device substitution in a type tested assembly as part of its remit, however, the standard states that following the guidance does not guarantee compliance with EN 61439, or any preceding standard.


    The final issue that may be experienced as that as the unit is a type tested assembly, you would be looked on as the product supplier of this new, type tested assembly, and, may not have product liability insurance for the design, manufacture and supply of products into the market place.

    Then you would have the technical file to compile and present to HSE, if there were an issue, and the devices/board OEM would not have to legally provide you with any information over and above that in the public domain.  Which would be inadequate to compile a technical file.


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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    FWIW my take on this is that you can mix and match if the manufacturer of both the enclosure and existing devices, and the new device states that they are compatible.

    e.g. Schneider making a statement with regard to their new breakers and their older Merlin Gerin range.


    The issue lie outside BS 7671 it lie in the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations, UK law and how the manufacturers comply with this regarding their consumer units and devices.


    The manufacturers take the presumption of conformity route, bu designing, manufacturing and testing in accordance with the harmonised standards.

    They do this for their range of devices and product that they foresee as being required to be utilised together.

    This gives them a type tested assembly and offers compliance with the law.

    So, anything that moves away from this manufacturers type tested assembly, either has to be declared as safe by them, e.g. the example above, or the person who modifies the assembly must ensure that it meets the requirements of the law.

    They are placing a new assembly onto the market which is now no longer type tested and thus, must be verified as compliant with the requirements.


    Now there is a British Standard that you can follow for the modification of distribution boards which is around £200 IIRC.

    This covers device substitution in a type tested assembly as part of its remit, however, the standard states that following the guidance does not guarantee compliance with EN 61439, or any preceding standard.


    The final issue that may be experienced as that as the unit is a type tested assembly, you would be looked on as the product supplier of this new, type tested assembly, and, may not have product liability insurance for the design, manufacture and supply of products into the market place.

    Then you would have the technical file to compile and present to HSE, if there were an issue, and the devices/board OEM would not have to legally provide you with any information over and above that in the public domain.  Which would be inadequate to compile a technical file.


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