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EICR Advice - Mixed Manufacturer MCB'S, mains switch and enclosure

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Advice Please.

I run a residential mobile home park. The main swa cable from the meter box runs via an old-style fused wylex isolator switch to the consumer unit in the mobile home. As the old fused isolator enclosure is plastic (bakelite?) with no means of terminating with a swa gland I have been told by the Electrician doing the EICR's that these must be replaced with a metal enclosure fused isolator switch. I have another electrician replacing these but as some also supply electrics in the shed where the meter box is, we have been replacing them with what we thought were appropriate shower or shed consumer units. However, in some instances where there are no shed electrics, we have replaced the RCD in the consumer unit with a main switch from a different manufacturer and in other instances we have replaced MCB's with a different manufacturer to obtain the correct rating for its use. All MCB's/Switches are the same dimensions and line up on the buzz bar correctly. The EICR inspector has told us we can't mix MCB's or main switches. Is this correct or would this just be a C3 recommendation? Is it ok to use another manufacturer’s MCB's/Switches if they are all from the same manufacturer but the enclosure is from another manufacturer?

Parents
  • You either need the manufacturer's approval, or take on the design and testing responsibilities of BS EN 61439 yourself:

     


    536.4.203 Integration of devices and components:

    ... In low voltage assemblies to the BS EN 61439 series, e.g. consumer units, distribution boards, incorporated devices

    and components shall only be those declared suitable according to the assembly manufacturer’s instructions or

    literature.

    NOTE 1: T he use of individual components complying with their respective product standard(s) does not indicate their

    compatibility when installed with other components in a low voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly.

    NOTE 2: Incorporated components inside the assembly can be from different manufacturers. It is essential that all incorporated

    components should have had their compatibility for the final enclosed arrangements verified by the original

    manufacturer of the assembly and be assembled in accordance with their instructions e.g. the consumer unit,

    distribution board manufacturer. T he original manufacturer is the organization that carried out the original design

    and the associated verification of the low voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly to the relevant part of the BS

    EN 61439 series. If an assembly deviates from its original manufacturer’s instructions, or includes components not

    included in the original verification, the person introducing the deviation becomes the original manufacturer with the

    corresponding obligations.

     


    Having said that, I can't see it being more than a C3. Note that this is a UK-specific deviation from the harmonised standard. Other countries seem to get by without this extra rule.

Reply
  • You either need the manufacturer's approval, or take on the design and testing responsibilities of BS EN 61439 yourself:

     


    536.4.203 Integration of devices and components:

    ... In low voltage assemblies to the BS EN 61439 series, e.g. consumer units, distribution boards, incorporated devices

    and components shall only be those declared suitable according to the assembly manufacturer’s instructions or

    literature.

    NOTE 1: T he use of individual components complying with their respective product standard(s) does not indicate their

    compatibility when installed with other components in a low voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly.

    NOTE 2: Incorporated components inside the assembly can be from different manufacturers. It is essential that all incorporated

    components should have had their compatibility for the final enclosed arrangements verified by the original

    manufacturer of the assembly and be assembled in accordance with their instructions e.g. the consumer unit,

    distribution board manufacturer. T he original manufacturer is the organization that carried out the original design

    and the associated verification of the low voltage switchgear and controlgear assembly to the relevant part of the BS

    EN 61439 series. If an assembly deviates from its original manufacturer’s instructions, or includes components not

    included in the original verification, the person introducing the deviation becomes the original manufacturer with the

    corresponding obligations.

     


    Having said that, I can't see it being more than a C3. Note that this is a UK-specific deviation from the harmonised standard. Other countries seem to get by without this extra rule.

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