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Older boards and availability/compatibility of devices

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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  • Good to hear you found a workable solution.

    It makes me wonder how we would get on now compared to when we used to just chuck a big component order to RS & Farnell and just assemble stuff straight out of the box/jiffy bag. We never used to bother with all of the paperwork nonsense mentioned in this thread. It either worked or it didn't. We learned by doing rather than endless analysis. That is not saying that we were just guessing in terms of product functionality, it just meant that if a panel was built, and component 'A' failed regularly, we'd go for component 'B' from a different manufacturer.

    Right now, I have to make up a small panel to enable a cap start/cap-run single phase motor to run in both directions. This will entail buying a couple of contacters, and overload unit, an enclosure and some 6 x core cable plus glands.

    Am I a manufacturer? Or am I a mere Assembler?
Reply
  • Good to hear you found a workable solution.

    It makes me wonder how we would get on now compared to when we used to just chuck a big component order to RS & Farnell and just assemble stuff straight out of the box/jiffy bag. We never used to bother with all of the paperwork nonsense mentioned in this thread. It either worked or it didn't. We learned by doing rather than endless analysis. That is not saying that we were just guessing in terms of product functionality, it just meant that if a panel was built, and component 'A' failed regularly, we'd go for component 'B' from a different manufacturer.

    Right now, I have to make up a small panel to enable a cap start/cap-run single phase motor to run in both directions. This will entail buying a couple of contacters, and overload unit, an enclosure and some 6 x core cable plus glands.

    Am I a manufacturer? Or am I a mere Assembler?
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