Commercially these sort of circuits are not uncommon. The heaviest I've done is 63A 3ph ring using busbars in a night club, the ring was more because of the layout than the rating. Another was an octagonal truss rig on a hoist and 100x100 trunking round the truss with something like a dozen rings of 1.5mm² tri rated. but these are way outside of the remit of a DIY forum.
Lighting circuits not on rings
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I don't get it either, other than making sure the devices are physically compatible.
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Methinks its a manufacturer spread fake story to ensure that people only buy their products.
ISTR the crux of it was that the CU is tested and certified with that manufacturers breakers etc. in it, by using other manufacturers breakers etc. the certification is no longer valid as the company cannot certify the effectivness of anothers gear.
This makes it that the CU does not meet the requirements.
A very mild and petty argument that TBH no one but the super anal (or BAS) care about.
ISTR the crux of it was that the CU is tested and certified with that manufacturers breakers etc. in it, by using other manufacturers breakers etc. the certification is no longer valid as the company cannot certify the effectivness of anothers gear.
This makes it that the CU does not meet the requirements.
A very mild and petty argument that TBH no one but the super anal (or BAS) care about.
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I know that can be done, providing of course there are fuses, and I know many fluorescent light fittings came with fuses built in, only lighting circuits incorporating B15. B22. E14. E27 or E40 lamp holders have to be protected by an over current protective device of maximum rating 16A. So you can have a 32 amp lighting circuit, but it does say "Accessories to BS 1363" so really it would need FCU's fitting to drop into the category of ring final. I know that is splitting hairs, and being some what pedantic, but that seems to the whole theme of the thread.
The same applies to consumer unit, I can see if the terminals are not identical height the bus bar system could produce strain and adversely effect to operation of de. vices, I have seen where cables can because of the strain stop an RCD from tripping. And some can get very hot and the design will affect cooling, and of course if running hot the MCB can trip below the rated valve.
I can also see why the enclosure may be should not have the label consumer unit, I intend to use an old consumer unit to contain Sonoff relays and it will only have a 6 amp supply and clearly is not a consumer unit when used for that, it will not contain a single MCB.
I have been told, may be Chinese whispers, that where the installation is in the control of an ordinary person type tested equipment should be used, as to if this is a HSE or Building regulations I don't know, as I have not found it written anywhere to confirm this, I know in the past I have thought some thing was a regulation, like the distance of a 13A socket to the sink, was told had to be at least 1 meter, it seems this was in the 14th Edition but I don't have a copy, also bonding of metal window frames, again think 14th Edition. There have been so many rules which have been dropped, the bonding in bathrooms is resent so we remember that.
But name changes don't help either, I called it Edison Screw, or ES for short, but it seems now E28 USA and E27 else where, same with SES now called E14, and where plug top, or plug socket came from not a clue, yes I know the French system the plug has a socket for earth, but this is Britain not Brittany.
Very early on I realised there is always an exception, I lost money betting there would not be 8 volt lead acid batteries in the stores, seems they were made for USA 6 volt vehicles to improve the lights, even instructions with the batteries saying how to adjust the regulator, made by CAT back in 1980, clearly some one I ordered wrong ones when trying the read the USA parts manual, I had also made mistakes, we know bonnet is a hood, but what is a push pull rod? It was a track rod.
But really does it matter if I use the wrong word, as long as other people understand, same with spelling, my tablet is a pain at times correcting spelling and resulting in wrong word, pobodies nerfect.
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Some of it is not really a 'fake story'. BS7671 explicitly defines 'consumer unit' (as a DB which is 'type tested') and that has definite consequences - particularly in terms of the required breaking capacity of devices in a DB which is not a CU (in a domestic single phase installation ≤100A). However, as you imply, I'm sure that the manufacturers are not complaining
Yes, I think that's about it. However, as a recently wrote, I reall don't believe that (provided they are mechanically/dimensionally compatible) using 'non-recommended' devices ('wrong make') will ever be a significant issue.
As above, I agree. However, people doing EICRs etc. (and those trying to 'generate work') have been known to be 'super anal'
Kind Regards, John
There is nothing wrong with pedancy as long as both [or more] parties understand. It's fine using the term ES14 but I bet 90% of general public wouldn't have a clue what's being said but "screw thread about that big" while holding up my little finger will be a hell of a lot more.
No of course it doesn't matter, when my Uncle lost all power flat he went next door to phone me, I arrived & asked where the consumer unit is.
"I haven't got one of those." he said "But I've checked the fusebox and it's all on."
I was pointed in the direction of the old pantry, found the CU with Garage, Shed & Greenhouse markings on the type 1 MCBs, traced the tails past all the boxes of wine making kit, empty jars for jam making, sack of potatoes etc to the Henley and then to the other CU with a RCD main switch.
"I found the other consumer unit on the back wall and reset it."
"The what?"
"Consumer unit, like a fusebox but with trip switches."
He then told his daughter there are 2 fuseboxes.
Does it matter? not a jott.
To be pedantic - or accurate - the bonding rules have not been dropped. It "may be omitted" if...
It is still required if R > 50/Ia. Just virtually impossible with an RCD.
Some people will never learn.
Does it matter? Of course it does. Electricity is dangerous.
Please explain how calling a consumer unit a fusebox is dangerous for my uncle.
There's a pint in it for you if you can.
And why should he bother at the age of 87?
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Indeed it can be. However, I really do struggle to think of any way in which calling a Consumer Unit a Fusebox, or vice versa, could ever result in any danger.
There are reasons for encouraging the use of 'correct terminology' but, in this case, avoidance of danger is not one of them
especially when it is coupled with in-accurate information
As you don’t have a copy of the regs, you won’t know that in Section 2 of BS7671 18th edition (page 26) the definition of Consumer Unit states that it has ‘an assembly of one or more fuses, circuit-breakers, residual current operated devices......’
Even if you were correct, referring to a CU as a fuse box is not dangerous.
Even if you were correct, referring to a CU as a fuse box is not dangerous.
I'd not thought to look that up but was quite happy to think it didn't include fuses, seems like the same deffinition in 16th too [only version I hold].
Everyday a skule day
There is nothing wrong with fuses, nor any regulation prohibiting thier installation to this day.
In some situations, it is much more desirable to use a fuse rather than a circuit breaker.
When I was an apprentice we were still installing BS 3036 Wylex rewireable fuse boxes. I think I’m showing my age now
In some situations, it is much more desirable to use a fuse rather than a circuit breaker.
When I was an apprentice we were still installing BS 3036 Wylex rewireable fuse boxes. I think I’m showing my age now
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