Hi
Around 2 years ago I upgraded an electric shower to a Triton 8.5kW
It required a higher rated fuse/breaker: 40A MCB.
I used the cable already in place – 6mm clipped to roof joists
(above insulation) around 10 metres to CU.
My CU is a Crabtree Starbreaker fitted with RCD MAIN SWITCH / 80 amp 30ma
We’ve been here 9 years, so it is at least that old.
The consumer unit does not have a clear plastic cover – but a hard plastic off
white cover attached with two screws.
I took the redundant MCB to B&Q and found a match, inasmuch as the DIN Rail Mounting
guides were exact, and the measurements APART FROM the “trip lever” which extended
out more and the trip lever is lower than the original.
Looking at Screwfix the new MCB is called: Crabtree 40A SP Type B Curve MCB
The original MCB I think is called: Crabtree Starbreaker 61 RANGE TYPE B MCB
I took a chance, and the MCB fitted perfectly, and has not tripped once.
BUT IT HAS JUST DAWNED ON ME – just because it has not tripped I have no way of
knowing if it would trip if there was a problem.
I know that the CU works because if a light bulb blows it trips that circuit, and sometimes
other bulbs have gone and they have tripped the main switch. And a dodgy appliance
once tripped the main switch.
There is a yellow TEST button.
So my question, should I worry about this “not being an exact match MCB (bit late I know)?
Or would it be advisable to try and find original MCB’s?
Also, could someone explain how to use this yellow test button.
Do I have to turn all the other MCB’s off – and test the shower/40 MCB on its own?
Any help or advice welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Stephen
Around 2 years ago I upgraded an electric shower to a Triton 8.5kW
It required a higher rated fuse/breaker: 40A MCB.
I used the cable already in place – 6mm clipped to roof joists
(above insulation) around 10 metres to CU.
My CU is a Crabtree Starbreaker fitted with RCD MAIN SWITCH / 80 amp 30ma
We’ve been here 9 years, so it is at least that old.
The consumer unit does not have a clear plastic cover – but a hard plastic off
white cover attached with two screws.
I took the redundant MCB to B&Q and found a match, inasmuch as the DIN Rail Mounting
guides were exact, and the measurements APART FROM the “trip lever” which extended
out more and the trip lever is lower than the original.
Looking at Screwfix the new MCB is called: Crabtree 40A SP Type B Curve MCB
The original MCB I think is called: Crabtree Starbreaker 61 RANGE TYPE B MCB
I took a chance, and the MCB fitted perfectly, and has not tripped once.
BUT IT HAS JUST DAWNED ON ME – just because it has not tripped I have no way of
knowing if it would trip if there was a problem.
I know that the CU works because if a light bulb blows it trips that circuit, and sometimes
other bulbs have gone and they have tripped the main switch. And a dodgy appliance
once tripped the main switch.
There is a yellow TEST button.
So my question, should I worry about this “not being an exact match MCB (bit late I know)?
Or would it be advisable to try and find original MCB’s?
Also, could someone explain how to use this yellow test button.
Do I have to turn all the other MCB’s off – and test the shower/40 MCB on its own?
Any help or advice welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Stephen