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Re BS Standards for Distribution boards and Enclosures

Ian Stokes

Hi there 

I've recently been involved in a project to look at replacing old Distribution Boards and there Enclosures but we have been asked a number of questions in regards this these being as follows:-

Question 1 - Determine the impact to using the present array of MCB's within the current Distribution boards which are some 30-40 years old in line with what the current standards BS EN 61439-3 compared to the old Standards BS EN 60439-3?

Question  2 - What criteria determines if we do or don't need to use RCD's/RCBO's?

Question 3 - Can you swap the actual MCB's that are used in the current Distribution boards which are 30-40 years old with the latest new standard MCBs without changing the entire board?.

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    On the domestic side I have this dilemma at least once a week and it's probably a 50% chance that a suitable replacement device is available. The only way of really knowing if a device is compatible is by asking the manufacturer. many incompatibilities. For example the square D boards use two different size prongs, newer modules fit but don't make reliable contact in older boards.

    Many manufacturers have chosen not to qualify newer modules in older boards.

    Then we have companies that white label third part products and change suppliers over history whilst keeping the same brand name.

    Overall it's a nightmare and takes fairly careful tracking of information that's quite often only provided verbally, easy to misinterpret or over interpret. Manufacturers don't have an incentive to help as they just want to sell new equipment.

    At least if you have 40 identical boards it's only one exercise to investigate the options. Even possible to justify a face to face meeting with the manufacturer to look at options. 

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  • 0

    On the domestic side I have this dilemma at least once a week and it's probably a 50% chance that a suitable replacement device is available. The only way of really knowing if a device is compatible is by asking the manufacturer. many incompatibilities. For example the square D boards use two different size prongs, newer modules fit but don't make reliable contact in older boards.

    Many manufacturers have chosen not to qualify newer modules in older boards.

    Then we have companies that white label third part products and change suppliers over history whilst keeping the same brand name.

    Overall it's a nightmare and takes fairly careful tracking of information that's quite often only provided verbally, easy to misinterpret or over interpret. Manufacturers don't have an incentive to help as they just want to sell new equipment.

    At least if you have 40 identical boards it's only one exercise to investigate the options. Even possible to justify a face to face meeting with the manufacturer to look at options. 

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