can different makes be put in different consumer units. Was at a job where the board was of a make that the wholesalers don't sell .as it happened the breaker start working
can different makes be put in different consumer units. Was at a job where the board was of a make that the wholesalers don't sell .as it happened the breaker start working
Personally I would say do not mix brands in a CU. (one Caveat in SPD type 2). They (MCB, RCD, RCBO) are NOT type tested in a mixed brand environment and in the court of UK law you will carry the burden IF something went wrong as YOU were the last person inside that CU.
Can you tell me how many court cases have taken place over such instances whereby the mixing of brands has resulted in fire or serious damage? Please provide links.
Can anyone tell me what Type Testing comprises of? I.E. what methods are used?
Is it a case of applying a 100A rated supply to the main switch of say, a fully populated consumer unit and then applying a full load to each individual mcb up to it's rating?
How is Type testing actually done? What is measured? The ambient temp insde the enclosure? How do they measure for non-operation in the event of the air inside the enclosure reaching an overtemp state? What other parameters are measured and monitored?
As for obtaining a economical solution to a problem, what is worse? Fitting a correct but 2nd hand mcb or fitting a different branded one but with the same form factor/footprint whereby only the brand label on the front differs?
Forgive me for being a little cynical.
Can you tell me how many court cases have taken place over such instances whereby the mixing of brands has resulted in fire or serious damage? Please provide links.
Can anyone tell me what Type Testing comprises of? I.E. what methods are used?
Is it a case of applying a 100A rated supply to the main switch of say, a fully populated consumer unit and then applying a full load to each individual mcb up to it's rating?
How is Type testing actually done? What is measured? The ambient temp insde the enclosure? How do they measure for non-operation in the event of the air inside the enclosure reaching an overtemp state? What other parameters are measured and monitored?
As for obtaining a economical solution to a problem, what is worse? Fitting a correct but 2nd hand mcb or fitting a different branded one but with the same form factor/footprint whereby only the brand label on the front differs?
Forgive me for being a little cynical.
If a CU caught fire, and it was shown that at least one component was not approved by the original manufacturer, and that led to the fire; and the electrician who put the component there is known; and there were greater than trivial losses, litigation might take place. Even then, it is likely to be settled out of court.
Failing to comply with BS 7671 (or any other standard) does not usually break the law, but it would hardly help a defence in negligence.
So I think that there are two questions. (1) Do the standards permit mix and match? No. (2) Would you take the risk? That is, of course, a matter of personal choice.
Type testing is set out in the standards and is both complex and expensive.
I can understand whjohnson's cynicism. It is all about personal attitude to risk.
Along similar lines, would you fit manufacturer's brake pads or a different brand from your local motor factor? Do you (deliberately) break the speed limit?
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