Would you re-use 'used' RCBO's / other item's too??

That rather depends on the circumstances. Clearly if the customer is paying for a new installation, and they get bits of second hand kit cobbled together ,that would not be right.

But if this is a part for a now aging installation, and a largely passive and easily inspected part,  like an old fuse carrier, junction box lid or a  door catch or something has broken ?  Well if  that can safely be swapped out without great risk, and in doing so avoids a lot of upheaval, then I think the use of a recycled part may be perfectly justified. Although it is still important that everyone involved knows that is what is happening. Between these extreme cases  lies  a slope of progressive uncertainty and variable risk.  The first problem is provenance, and the example of an MCB is a good one - unless you know it has never tripped in it's life, how do you know what condition it is in - it may be burnt almost to the point of failure internally ,and you would not know. Equally, it is not unknown for brand new parts to be dead on arrival, but at least you can send them back and complain. I''d be wary of a second hand breaker off Ebay for example. One left over that had not been used from a pre-populated board would be less of a concern, as essentially 'new, old stock (NOS)


Then again if it was for my own installation, I'd be less concerned anyway than if it was for anyone else, or perhaps if it was for a job with limited life - only to keep the power on until the new CU arrives next week is a less scary prospect than a permanent fix. Cables and so forth can be visibly inspected for damage, at least externally, and certainly insulation and continuity checked, so are probably lower risk than items with moving parts, which in turn are less risk that things with programmable electronics in.

I have re-used  long lengths of SWA, after a bit of umming and a lot of testing, and I have re-used fuses, as these are pretty much either blown or not, but even then there are not many cases where it would feel like the right thing to do.

To what extent do you take this?


If you were to buy a secondhand car, you've got tyres that could have had unapproved puncture repairs or unseen damage.


Regards


BOD

One further case...

If it is an old installation and new components are not backwards compatible (e.g. not the same size/shape as older components so don't fit) then you are faced with either re-using an old component or replacing the lot. In that circumstance it may be the client demanding you use a second hand component due to cost implications, but I would suggest the implications should be made clear to the client (probably in writing with his signature to say he has read it).

I have to emphasize that I'm not using any 're-used' items... I haven't been doing any electrical works for the past couple of years' as I am having treatment for a bad illness - or TWO! It's doubtful that I will be doing any further works, for a while, sadly!


I was at a car-boot fair, a week or so ago, and this 'electrician' was selling off used parts, (and part reels of cable etc), and I asked him if he ever re-used electrical parts, or not? I haven't ever done this and he said he has... and with no problems. 


I WOULDN'T... buy anything like that anyway... I was just wondered what your thoughts were and, I agree! 


regards... Tom

As Mike says, it depends.


Last week I was involved in the move of a service head and meter from a construction site cabinet to an adjacent garage wall. If that is the re-use of equipment (and tails), the DNO was unperturbed.


The two IP66 double sockets will be put to use elsewhere at some stage - they are in good condition and it would be foolish to throw them away.


At some stage, an antique chandelier will be put up (though not with antique wires).


I wouldn't reject a part reel of PVC cable provided that it looks in good condition and has the correct colours. One will, of course, IR test it.


I have bought for my own use unused surplus stock.


I would draw the line at used MCBs and RCDs - no more to be trusted than part-worn tyres! However, BOD is correct - a used car comes with worn (but not worn-out) tyres, brakes, etc. ?

Like everything I guess the answer is "It depends"


For some of the larger equipment in high ampacity switchboards and panel boards along with transformers, there is a market for "used devices"


As an example, if you fail a 1600A ACB that's important to your facility operations and it's of an obsolete pattern, then it's tempting to get a second hand (hopefully reconditioned unit) rather than spend perhaps a £1million on a complete replacement transformer switchboard  - at least in the short(er) term. I arranged exactly that for a NHS facility, to keep them operational whilst implementing the design for an infrastructure upgrade fairly recently - I recall it was RF Winder that helped us out as they were providing new switchgear to a client of theirs that matched the pattern of ours - and it was available at short notice.


For smaller stuff, it's often not worth the bother, but for sure, a spare MCB or 3 to allow a bit of life "extension" and additional circuits in a facility isn't the worst thing in life.


Regards


OMS

I will at a pinch install used equipment where it's capable of being examined internally for damage, or where the provenance is known. (Example, RCBO's that were installed in a customer's board, never used, or used only during ongoing works), but I need to rest assured they've not been overly stressed, or abused. Other equipment as stated upthread, such as JB covers etc... not a worry at all.

Of course the customer is always informed if 2nd hand parts are used and the reason why.


Used LED lamps removed from customers' houses, if of a good brand (philips, osram etc) will get reused if the original customer doesn't want them, usually as a 'freebie' for a customer who bought an E27 fitting and B22 lamps, which happens all the time.  Unknown brands or ebay/banggood specials get binned, sorry environment! (I used to hoard them for my own use in lead lamps etc, but with battery powered LED work lights being the norm now, no point).


Anything very high quality or of special interest (Sangamo timeclocks anyone?) definitely gets stashed.


The point being, if you reuse something safety critical such as a RCBO or MCB, you have to KNOW it's history, it's your public liability, and, more importantly, CONSCIENCE

Well done / great, and interesting relies. as per usual!!


I thought about buying the part reels... and I was tempted with, what seem to be new RCBO's, but I thought... I don't know where that cable came from... China perhaps?


I was thinking about my son, actually, but there again... I don't think he'd use them either.


All the best...


regards... Tom