This discussion is locked.

You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

EICR C3 mixed manufacturer breakers

I know this will have been discussed in the past but we are on Amd 1 of the 18th now so I thought I would renew it.

The Best practice guides list mixed manufacturer breakers in a consumer unit or distribution board as a C3.

As far as I am aware Bs7671 does not have a Reg on it beyond manufacturers instructions and given EICR's are based on this standard perhaps it is justified on that basis.

Most on here will be familiar with the 16kA 'rule' in BSEN61439 Annex ZB or its predecessor BSEN60439 Annex ZA

I avoid C3's like the plague because they give all the wrong signals to a client and clearly by definition are for things which are a breach of the regs, I'm not too keen on the insurance risk of a C3 either.

My question here would be what fault rating can one apply to an enclosure where there are mixed breakers given a manufacturer will only have certified their equipment with their devices?

Enjoy!

Martyn

0 Martyn over 5 years ago

John Peckham‍ use the highlighted icon...
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 John Peckham over 5 years ago

Thanks Martyyn

This is what a cheap Chinese RCBO look

like when subjected to a short circuit.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 ebee over 5 years ago

That`s not what is usually meant by an exploded view of something is it?

Truly shocking John, most worrying. Any estimate of the energy level it succumbed to?
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 John Peckham over 5 years ago

Ebee

Domestic consumer unit around 2kA. Note the products of the arc did not vent down the arc flash shute!
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 Zoomup over 5 years ago

John Peckham:

Thanks Martyyn

This is what a cheap Chinese RCBO look

like when subjected to a short circuit.

Explosion? Call that an explosion?

Now this is an explosion.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN7qtQVJXXM

Z.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 David Stone over 5 years ago

Are you suggesting that this is an otherwise compliant device John, just subjected to 25 kA. I rather doubt that.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 Alan Capon over 5 years ago

I would suggest not, as none of the arc products have gone down the arc chute - it looks as good as new!

Regards,

Alan.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 mapj1 over 5 years ago

Looking at the lack of distortion or cracking to the outer plastic shell, and the fact the exposed tops of the brass rivets look like they have been cut or drilled, while the inside has failed, I think the plastic case contained the worst of it, and it has been opened after the fact as part of a forensic operation as to why it is not working and smells of burnt.

The de-soldered bridge that is on the wonk , and the burnt out track in the middle of the figure indicate a failure of the electronics, not a gross overload of the breaking mechanism - as Alan alludes overloaded breakers look poorly at the arc traps - weld lines and the metal bent like warm toffee are the overload clues missing here.

If you have a photo of the other side of the PCB it my be possible to work out the make.

I think the factory date is july 2012
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

EICR C3 mixed manufacturer breakers

Community Rules & Guidelines