consumer unit bus bar query

HawkEye244

HawkEye244

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Hi all,
A recent EICR picked up this consumer unit as needing a bus bar fitted.
Quotation : ''to install bus bar to consumer unit''

Is it not a bus bar ?????

IMG_20200920_155720595.jpg
 
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Yes, that is a bus bar and there is also a shorter bus-bar on the left.

However on the left it seems the busbar was too short for the number of breakers in that section, so someone used a bit of wire instead. Perhaps this is what the electrican is referring to.
 
Right busbar is fitted incorrectly - the label end should fit into the RCD, however it's not just a case of turning it round, because it's either the wrong bar, or someone has assembled the consumer unit incorrectly.

Left one may be correct, but it's too short, the red loop of wire is not acceptable.

The whole lot needs attention, as all of the circuit breakers, switch and RCDs should be in line and level, rather than all over the place.
 
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Solid busbar pin and stranded wire in the same terminal, not designed for that.

The blue/brown wires as supplied for the internal links have a solid welded end.
 
Thanks all for your comments.
Are there any afflictions with using a different branded bus bar?
For example, if I was to repair this bus bar with a British General one cut to size accordingly.
I'm assuming that it's essentially a copper bar and the designs don't vary enough for one not to be fine to use in the other ?
I would purchase the shield and cut to size accordingly.
 
No you can’t use other brands with the exception of Crabtree ones that look the same.

I looked on eBay for you and couldn’t see any though
 
AndyPRK said:
No you can’t use other brands with the exception of Crabtree ones that look the same.

I looked on eBay for you and couldn’t see any though
Click to expand...

So the pins are all aligned differently depending on brand?

Yes, checked ebay and no volex bus bars.
The sparky has quoted for the installation of a new one so I'm assuming they would buy from a merchant, is this worth trying ?
 
This is getting a bit OTT.

You only need a bit of busbar with two forks on it.


As the only supplied MCB is a 16A one and stranded wire must not be used, what about a single conductor of 1mm²?
 
EFLImpudence said:
This is getting a bit OTT.

You only need a bit of busbar with two forks on it.


As the only supplied MCB is a 16A one and stranded wire must not be used, what about a single conductor of 1mm²?
Click to expand...

How would this option fare on an EICR ?
P.s. sorry EFL I've double asked that question
 
I have no idea.

A lot of people doing EICRs don't know what they are doing.


I don't see anything wrong with how it is.
 
D

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