Lighting circuit trips annoy my better half

[numpty with a crowbar]

Morning folks,
This morning I have got it in the ear due to the general state of electrical merchandise / design in the 21st centuary (something I have no control over I might add but this does not interfere with female logic).

As we all know, when a light bulb blows at switch-on it's odds on the MCB will trip. usually in the dark. at 6.30am Now it's not enough to show the better half how to re-set. I suspect she wants something doing about it.

I've had a search and noted a post here http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewto...ostorder=asc&highlight=MCB+AND+Light+AND+TRIP about swapping from a type B to a type C MCB (I've got a Crabtree loadstar board & MCB's, and it appears that a type C 6A is available). But will swapping to a type C do the trick in stoping it tripping each time a bulb goes? Or am I wasting my time?

And as a final thing, at the end of the day I'm more than comfortable swaping the MCB over. But is it notifiable or is there a part P loophole? or am I going to have to do the work in december 04?

 

[didthathurt]

Is it actually your mcb that is tripping or is there an RCD in the system that is tripping?

 

[Maxxy]

Emergency lighting from you bedroom to the fusebox cupboard, witha big 'push this back up' glow in the dark sticker

Not sure if the regs will like you using a type C mcb for house lights... im sure someone will post and let you know

 

[numpty with a crowbar]

Is it actually your mcb that is tripping or is there an RCD in the system that is tripping?

It's purely the MCB that's going (the lights aren't on the RCD side of the board). And it's only when a light bulb blows (once in a blue moon).

I'm assuming that it's caused when the bulb blows it tries to draw more than 6A of current for a fraction of a millisecond, hence the MCB going??

And Maxxy - I've even put a torch nearby to aid the whole re-set process but hey, I'm a man and therefore responsible for all the ills of the world

 

[C&GStudent]

I always thought changing the MCB was changing the characteristics of the circuit, therefore notifiable.

You'd better test your Zs to make sure your circuit can meet the disconnection times for the Type C before you swap it over. They are half the Type B values.

That's what i'd do anyway.

 

[slippyr4]

change for a better brand of lightbulbs that have the blow-out fuse in them.

 

[ricicle]

Never buy lamps from a supermarket as the shelf stackers there will not treat the boxes of lamps with the same care as a wholesaler or electrical shop

Ricicle

 

[JohnD]

It only seems to happen to me from the spotlight bulbs (usually Phillips finest) or small "candles" in the kitchen.

I have quite a few CFLs in other rooms, and these never trip the MCBs, of course.

 

[RF Lighting]

Replacing the MCB with a type 'C' often cures the tripping on lamp failure problem, but this must only done after an EFLI test has been carried out to ensure the earth is of a low enough value to allow the MCB to operate correctly in the event of a fault.

The EFLI value is usually OK, but must be verified first.

I am not sure whether this work would be notifiable or not (this is where we need B-A-S to come back)

 

[slippyr4]

where did b-a-s go?

 

[securespark]

[shrug]

 

[JohnD]

...The EFLI value is usually OK, but must be verified first...

Is there a way an amateur could do that? What did people do in the old days with a Megger and an Avo?

I doubt you could rely on previous test documentation as things might have changed since it was last done.

 

[Adam_151]

Is there a way an amateur could do that? I doubt you could rely on previous test documentation as things might have changed since it was last done.

Look at supply type and find the maximum the Ze will be, and do an estimate of the amount of cable, and look up the resistance, and if it passes by a mile...

Or drop a phase->cpc link in and do a real world test to see if you trigger the magnetic trip on the CB...


(Ok, I might not be in the best sensible mood today... you decide )

 

[JohnD]

You were joking about the calculation, right?

 

[C&GStudent]

BAS is hanging out on the screwfix forum.