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Wylex plug in MCB's

Jaymack
I have copies of a recent EICR and a follow up quote, these by a proven, registered electrician and are for a church, (C & G 2391 anyone?, and not the watered down version). The particular body is not relevant in this case, but the EICR is UNSATISFACTORY, one reason given is that fuses are not now permissible. ? There are around 5 Wylex fuse boards with plug in MCB's, these have gaps all around them because the original screw in covers over the original fuses, have been removed, being too shallow, so invalidating the IP integrity.

Wylex technical help say that they no longer supply these MCB's, but that the whole board cover should have been easily packed out, in order to accommodate the original cover over the plugin MCB's. (I don't recall any instructions to this effect on the consumer packaging for plugin MCB's).

How many of these doctored fuseboards still exist without these metal fuse covers, justifying a recall? I am thinking of the fatalities in a Glasgow care home, thought to have been caused

by a deficiency in the integrity of consumer unit.

More relevant, should suchlike electrical inspection reports only be carried out by a registered INSPECTOR, who must have a separate, periodic assessment?.


Jaymack .   .
  • 0
    Re the shallow fuse covers.


    When I replaced the plug-in fuses with plug-in MCBs in our 1973 built house, I discovered that the Wylex fuse cover was now too shallow. However there was a groove around the inside of the Bakelite fuse cover, which with some careful work enabled the flat front to be removed leaving just the outside rim. This modified cover now neatly fitted around the protruding MCBs.  I had presumed that this groove was there for this purpose? If not it certainly made the job easier.


    Clive
  • 0

    Jaymack:

    ... so invalidating the IP integrity.



    Just how big is the gap? Unless it is on the top, can you really get a finger in there? If the IP integrity has been violated, I wouldn't argue with C2.

    More relevant, should suchlike electrical inspection reports only be carried out by a registered INSPECTOR, who must have a separate, periodic assessment?.


    No not more registration! But I do think that evidence of some form of continuous professional development is advisable. Being current in the C&G wiring regs exam would do nicely.

  • 0
    The old style plug in "B" range of Wylex miniature circuit breakers (B6, B16, B32 etc.) did leave a small gap around themselves in the all insulated consumer units, about 2 or 3mm I believe, but far too small to get a finger in. I seem to recall that the Wylex metalclad consumer units displayed a bigger gap around the plug in M.C.B.s and even some copper busbar that could be touched by a screwdriver, but I will have to check on that. It may be possible to buy some old Wylex consumer units just for the covers on fleabay. The centre part of the grey covers did indeed come out with careful use of a Stanley knife and file to smooth the edges as Sparkingchip says. This was to enable the M.C.B.s to be fitted where rewirable fuse carriers had been used before. This cover/frame should fill any gaps around the M.C.B.s.


    This illustration shows the metal type Wylex consumer unit with the cover/frame in place. Perhaps the visible busbar that I referred to before is the neutral one visible if the frame is removed, near to the main switch.

    https://www.flameport.com/electric_museum/wylex_fuse_boxes/wylex_standard.cs4


    Z.
  • 0
    This clip gives some idea of the gaps in an old Wylex wooden framed fuse box.

    https://www.flameport.com/electric_museum/wylex_fuse_boxes/wylex_standard_3.cs4


    Z.
  • 0
    Have you been reading and quoting old posts or mind reading?


    Sparkingchip.
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    Have you been reading and quoting old posts or mind reading?


    Sparkingchip.




    I think Z has got you and me mixed up?  ?


    Clive

  • 0
    25054942ed1861884d9d2d0dced4a767-huge-20191105_160531.jpg


    Now there’s a codge up that may fail scrutiny, but it does have the trimmed cover on the Wylex fuse board.


    Andy B.
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    Have you been reading and quoting old posts or mind reading?


    Sparkingchip.




    All new research Andy as I have the memory of a goldfish.


    Z.

  • 0

    AncientMariner:




    Sparkingchip:

    Have you been reading and quoting old posts or mind reading?


    Sparkingchip.




    I think Z has got you and me mixed up?  ?


    Clive


     




    Yes I seem to have mixed you up. I had had a hard day and went into brain meltdown. Sorry.


    Z.

  • 0

    Sparkingchip:
    25054942ed1861884d9d2d0dced4a767-huge-20191105_160531.jpg


    Now there’s a codge up that may fail scrutiny, but it does have the trimmed cover on the Wylex fuse board.


    Andy B. 




    My contribution was disconnecting the cable that is lay on top of the fuse board, it amazes me sometimes the lengths some people will go to to avoid replacing a fuse board.


    Andy B.

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