Is it possible to add more mcbs to the 16 way mk board? Currently every way is taken but the bus bar has capacity - is there a cut out on the cover to allow more breakers to be fitted?[/img]
Adding more ways to 16 way mk consumer unit
- Thread starter coopersim
- Start date
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If the unit is full it is full!
The busbar may have extra capacity but if the board hasn't your stuffed!
I think a picture of board/busbar maybe helpful!
The busbar may have extra capacity but if the board hasn't your stuffed!
I think a picture of board/busbar maybe helpful!
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An expensive option could be to remove an rcd and fit rcbos and new bus bar.
That would make 2 slots available.
That would make 2 slots available.
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If an RCD is fitted.
We need a photo. Often boards are made to standard units but extra ways are charged for in the price of the unit.
Are you saying that there are spare 'ways' which would allow you to fit additional MCBs if the cover were off, but that you then wouldn't be able to put the cover back because there would be bits of plastic in the way?
What model of MK board are we talking about?
Kind Regards, John
It's this one:
http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=43313
Says it's 10 way, but the box says 16 - it comes with 10 mcbs
There is room inside but the cover won't go back on, and the instructions state to put stickers on the left of the main switch - which have never been applied, which to me implies there's no capacity to add more? Even though you could physically add them in?
http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=43313
Says it's 10 way, but the box says 16 - it comes with 10 mcbs
There is room inside but the cover won't go back on, and the instructions state to put stickers on the left of the main switch - which have never been applied, which to me implies there's no capacity to add more? Even though you could physically add them in?
Have a look at page 11 of this document. This shows your board and the inside.
What I think you're looking at is the din rail at the back. This just holds the breakers in situ, it is not the busbar, they are at the bottom and are copper.
Are you sure all the MCBs are in use? Do they all have wires poking out the top of them? You could use one that's spare depending on application, or swap it out for a larger one.
You are also missing all your labelling including the large one that needs to sit next to the big red switch, which for starters means you are guessing what is turned off by what, and may also mean the board was not installed correctly.
Who installed this for you? Do you have a receipt and Electrical Installation Certificate?
What I think you're looking at is the din rail at the back. This just holds the breakers in situ, it is not the busbar, they are at the bottom and are copper.
Are you sure all the MCBs are in use? Do they all have wires poking out the top of them? You could use one that's spare depending on application, or swap it out for a larger one.
You are also missing all your labelling including the large one that needs to sit next to the big red switch, which for starters means you are guessing what is turned off by what, and may also mean the board was not installed correctly.
Who installed this for you? Do you have a receipt and Electrical Installation Certificate?
16 modules or outgoing ways? There's room for 16 standard 18mm modules in there, but 6 are filled with the main switch and 2x RCDs. That leaves you with 10 outgoing ways.
Sometimes it's not clear, even from manufacturers, so it's always good to count what's on the photo!
That's an A1 installation 
It is rather annoying of them to leave that big gap! for what appears to be a label! There is a neutral bar going up there, but didn't require that much room on the previous generation.
It is rather annoying of them to leave that big gap! for what appears to be a label! There is a neutral bar going up there, but didn't require that much room on the previous generation.
On page 7 it shows a better picture. There is no DIN rail on the left, the neutral bar is now a cable which would of been good news if there is a wide din rail.
What a waste of room and a con !
Although...... With the tails and 3 neutral cables it could be a bit tight, and that gap allows the main tails to come up from the bottom I guess....
There's room on the left side of the main switch as the bar that the breakers clip in to runs left to right and there appears to be weakened sections in the old that could be removed - but I not sure!
In this photo you can see the bar runs beyond the edge of the main switch
its like its not been installed yet
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