Contactor Location

[Camperdownfamily]

I need to use a contactor to allow a thermostat to switch underfloor heating on and off.

I see that the majority of contactors are DIN rail mounted style. I have struggling to find out, does this mean they go into the standard consumer unit along side the standard MCBs or do they have to go into their own DIN mounting box, fed by a fused supply form the consumer unit?

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

Either way - it's up to you.

 

[ericmark]

The consumer unit is a type tested distribution unit and as a result of the type testing in theory only devices recommended by the manufacturer should be fitted inside it. In practice however fitting relays and door bell transformers inside them from other manufacturers is common. But until you try there is no way to know if the bus bars will get in the way.

In general I would not expect anyone other than an electrician to go inside a consumer unit and to have a device which could require higher maintenance than the standard MCB fitted inside a box which often can't be isolated elsewhere would seem wrong.

There are enclosures made for most contactors and I would personally not fit one inside a standard consumer unit and the same goes for a door bell transformer in the main as it forces one to bring extra low voltage into the consumer unit which I don't agree with.

 

[bernardgreen]

In general I would not expect anyone other than an electrician to go inside a consumer unit and to have a device which could require higher maintenance than the standard MCB fitted inside a box which often can't be isolated elsewhere would seem wrong.

I totally agree with that.

 

[flyingsparks]

Also a contractor clunking in and out several times a day is going to vibrate the consumer unit and potentially loosen screw terminals over time.

 

[crystal ball]

Also a contractor clunking in and out several times a day is going to vibrate the consumer unit and potentially loosen screw terminals over time.

Tell him to take his boots off

The Hager contactors that fit inside a CU are barley audible just a click really

 

[flyingsparks]

He said he would be using a contactor not a relay.

 

[Spark123]

I'd go with the separate enclosure, maybe even a metal enclosure with DIN rail installed. Or get a normal contactor which can be screwed into the base plate.

 

[crystal ball]

He said he would be using a contactor not a relay.

I was talking about a contactor, got one on my desk, used them for switching off peak heating loads, not sure they are still made by Hager but MG will probably have one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hager-ES2...ial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item4165051240

 

[Iggifer]

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/HGESC225.html

 

[sparkiemike]

I made the mistake if fitting a contactor inside a CU (all MK kit). The CU had RCDs, every now and again the operation of the contactor would cause the RCD to trip for no reason.

Calls to MK offered no solutions that worked. In the end I moved the contactor to its own enclosure.