Circuit switch bypassed

[Adam_151]

You are right, thats a right bodge.

Not only have you got the fusewire effectly in parrallel with the breaker, so that if the breaker is closed as well you have the circuit protection at twice the rating it should be* (and therefore the cable is not correctly protected)

*Assuming it is off the same rating as the breaker, if it is higher, it should be more than twice

But the fusewire is not in a carrier designed for it, it would make a bit of a mess of the breaker and fuse base if it were to blow!

If you say you didn't have any problems after removing it, then I can probably take a stab at the events that lead up to the bodger putting it there. Those Wylex push button breakers, sometimes as they get older, if you have turned them off with the push to trip button, sometimes the mechanism on the button gets a bit stuck and when you try and turn it back it, it just won't engage, often tapping it gently will allow it to reset, I recommend replacement after that though, given the age of these and the fact that moving parts are sticking a bit, its unknown how they would react to a fault on the circuit.

 

[mike42]

You are right, thats a right bodge.

Not only have you got the fusewire effectly in parrallel with the breaker, so that if the breaker is closed as well you have the circuit protection at twice the rating it should be* (and therefore the cable is not correctly protected)

*Assuming it is off the same rating as the breaker, if it is higher, it should be more than twice

But the fusewire is not in a carrier designed for it, it would make a bit of a mess of the breaker and fuse base if it were to blow!

If you say you didn't have any problems after removing it, then I can probably take a stab at the events that lead up to the bodger putting it there. Those Wylex push button breakers, sometimes as they get older, if you have turned them off with the push to trip button, sometimes the mechanism on the button gets a bit stuck and when you try and turn it back it, it just won't engage, often tapping it gently will allow it to reset, I recommend replacement after that though, given the age of these and the fact that moving parts are sticking a bit, its unknown how they would react to a fault on the circuit.

Thanks Adam, a really useful post and theory as to why it happened. Yes those older ones on the cu have always stuck a little (well since I moved in a few years ago). The first time it happened I got a little worried but then noticed as you say, if you grab the small trip button and pull out/wiggle you can then push in the main breaker button.

Also as you say, I'll think of upgrading at some point to the newer style breakers although at £11 each (the ones linked to) I might not be in such a hurry !

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ahh so not as safe but basically ok?

Basically as OK as when it was installed.

The regulations have moved on since then to provide additional protection for you under certain fault conditions. By the use of RCDs etc.
Your old-style board cannot support that and you would need to have an electrician provide a new consumer unit.
Something to consider for the future, better than spending £100+ for replacment plug-in MCBs that do not provide any additional safety, IMO.

 

[sparkwright]

Can't help thinking that MCB was by-passed for a reason.

Would be sensible to replace the MCB, wouldn't you say?

 

[mike42]

Can't help thinking that MCB was by-passed for a reason.

Would be sensible to replace the MCB, wouldn't you say?

What is the worst that could happen?

 

[John D v2.0]

What is the worst that could happen?

Fire I would have thought

 

[mike42]

Have any Wylex MCBs burst into flames before to your knowledge? And if someone really thought it was a fire risk why would he bodge it like this? And why would he think it a fire risk?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Have any Wylex MCBs burst into flames before to your knowledge?

It could cause your cable to burst into flames by allowing too much current to flow.

And if someone really thought it was a fire risk why would he bodge it like this?

Lots of people are stupid.

And why would he think it a fire risk?

He obviously didn't.

 

[John D v2.0]

It could cause your cable to burst into flames

I think Mike meant have they burst into flames when not bypassed, given the context.

 

[mike42]

I think Mike meant have they burst into flames when not bypassed, given the context.

So maybe it was possible the previous owner was running more than around 7.2Kw of kit off that ring main? I don't think there are many sockets on it but who knows what he was doing ! My guess is that is more likely than a faulty branded mcb (but I'm clearly no expert).

 

[Taylortwocities]

We do not know what value of breaker it is, or even if it were on a ring main.
It may be a 5A breaker on a lighting circuit, and they strapped it out to stop it popping when a lamp went up the
Swanee. As Johnny Nash sang ‘There are more questions than answers’

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Speak to a group of economists, then you'll have more answers than questions.