Installing RCBO Query

[veedee]

Planning to remove existing MCB's and install 2x RCBO's for the lighting circuit as these circuits currently do not have RCD protection.

Before doing the job I have a couple if queries

1. The other MCB's e.g. sockets/cooker are RCD protected, so can i leave these and just install 2x new rcbo's for the lighting circuit?

2. Can I use a 6 Amp 30mA RCBO - MK (Type A) B Curve

Or should I buy the 10 Amp version as the electrician who fitted the board used a 10 Amp breaker originally?

 

[cdbe]

Maybe you could just move them to 10 and 11?

 

[Murdochcat]

Maybe you could just move them to 10 and 11?

DO NOT do this.

Reason being a single fault would then trip ALL the circuits

 

[veedee]

Maybe you could just move them to 10 and 11?

Not sure that's wise.

If the RCD trips then all of the circuits in the house won't work and finding the faulty circuit will be difficult.

If anything, I guess I could install another RCD

And have one lighting circuit and one ring main on this.. Would be cheaper too.

The electrician who fitted this board is real ****.. Did a cheap job.

 

[AndyPRK]

Yes get 6A

It was compliant to 16th edition at the time

 

[ericmark]

Yes 6 amp is ample for lights.

 

[veedee]

Great will pick up a couple of these then

MK 6 Amp Type A - B Curve RCBO

I take back what i said about the electrician as it was compliant at the time.

 

[Murdochcat]

FWIW it’s not dangerous either

Problem is that there are still too many muppets fitting dual RCD boards when they should be fitting RCBO boards

 

[veedee]

FWIW it’s not dangerous either

Problem is that there are still too many muppets fitting dual RCD boards when they should be fitting RCBO boards

Could that be partly down to cost and lack of understanding on the clients part?

I remember a few years back, i got a consumer unit changed and the spark suggested RCBO instead of the basic RCD/MCB combo.

At the time, I didn't really understand the benefit and flinched when i saw the cost..

 

[Murdochcat]

The cost difference these days is much smaller and you’ll recoup that the first time you have a problem as it’s immediately obvious which circuit is faulty

 

[SUNRAY]

FWIW it’s not dangerous either

Problem is that there are still too many muppets fitting dual RCD boards when they should be fitting RCBO boards

FWIW dual RCD boards are still compliant and there are probably millions of them safely protecting their home and household.
Quite honestly for an installation as small as OP I wouldn't be worried about upgrading to all RCBO.

 

[SUNRAY]

Great will pick up a couple of these then

MK 6 Amp Type A - B Curve RCBO

I take back what i said about the electrician as it was compliant at the time.

The first thing to do is remove the cover (power switched off of course) and check there is room in there to take those RCBO's. Not all of the range had space and also the way it's wired.
Do the supply compact versions in Sentry range?

I'd suggest getting a 6A and a 32A for lights and ring.

Main switch, ring, lights, blank, RCD, ring, lights, cooker.

 

[Murdochcat]

FWIW dual RCD boards are still compliant and there are probably millions of them safely protecting their home and household.
Quite honestly for an installation as small as OP I wouldn't be worried about upgrading to all RCBO.

I didn’t say dual boards are non compliant or unsafe

I was just stating the fact that they don’t make any sense these days when installing new or updating units

 

[veedee]

Quite honestly for an installation as small as OP I wouldn't be worried about upgrading to all RCBO.

I'm planning to only uograde the lighting curcuits from standard MCB's to RCBO's because currently I have no RCD protection to any of the lighting circuits.

I only found out about this when adding a new light to my uninhabitable loft area.

I will all of the other circuits e.g. Ring and cooker in place as they are RCD protected.

 

[veedee]

The first thing to do is remove the cover (power switched off of course) and check there is room in there to take those RCBO's. Not all of the range had space and also the way it's wired.

Great shout! Will check this out.

Do the supply compact versions in Sentry range?

I will have to call and find out. Compact screams pricier though.

I'd suggest getting a 6A and a 32A for lights and ring.

Main switch, ring, lights, blank, RCD, ring, lights, cooker.

Oh are you saying the following..

Assuming there's space in the CU

1. Get 1x 6A and 1x 32A RCBO. Then install this on the left side of the CU.

2. On the right hand side use the existing RCD then put the other lighting circuit here and Bob's your uncle?

If i understood you correctly, can I ask why you favour this method? Clearly it must be beneficial.