Upgrading Wylex re-wrirable fuses to MCBs

[Ali3nat0r]

Hi, I planned on replacing all the fuses in my consumer unit with MCBs. I found some on eBay for cheap which were listed as working so I got those, but the pin spacing is different to the old fuses. They didn't come with the base socket so is it just going to be a case of getting a new socket from somewhere, or have I bought something I can't use? Picture attached to show size difference.

[trev]

You'll be much better off contacting a spark and replacing your CU with a modern one mate but if that is out of the question for whatever reason take one of your existing rewireables down to your wholesalers. They'll sort you out better than ebay

[telectrix]

the pin spacing is different on the MCBs compared to the fuses. and, looking at your pic., those pins on the MCB look a bit rough. or is that just the lighting makes 'em look like that. to be honest, i wouldn't trust my life to some second hand breakers that could very well be dodgy and may not open in the event of a fault. new breakers are about £9 apiece, so that's one option. however , if you need around 6 or more, might be an idea to go for a CU upgrade.

[Specialist]

Hi: Sorry to tell you but it looks like the MCB's you've bought are for a different type of consumer unit, are they actually Wylex ?
Also with the age of the Consumer unit it might be a better idea & safer to get a Registered Electrician in to replace the consumer unit with a modern one.

[SPARTYKUS]

You've been a bit diddled I'd say, really the MCB should have been sold with the holder for the very reason you quote. Maybe thats why they were cheap!

Which ones (values ) are they, I have quite a stock so may be able to help you. Send me a private message. Cheers

[telectrix]

oh bugger. agreeing with trev again. next thing is i'll be saying wai aye.

[malcolmsanford]

This is what you should have, and looking at them I think you may have been ebayed ................but hope i'm wrong

[Rockingit]

Ali, please forgive me if wrong, but I'm making an assumption that you are not a qualified electrician and are doing this at a DIY level:

Please stop, and consult a Part P registered electrician. There are several reasons for this:
1) This work requires 'signing off' and registering with your local building control office (assuming you're not in Scotland) and is not something you can do yourself
2) Anything you have bought on ebay that does what you are describing is almost certainly used, could be faulty or possibly even counterfeit and doesn't comply with British Standards
3) You are changing the fundamental characteristics of your property and this could be very dangerous
4) You will not be able to proceed further without disconnecting your incoming mains supply and to do so is illegal, to continue without is just blind stupidity!

Do a search here on the forum for a sparks in your area who will help you out.

[telectrix]

hope you didn't pay much. bin them and write it off to ebay experience.

[trev]

Repeat after me Tel, WEYYABUGGAMAN! hehe

[SPARTYKUS]

I retract my idea. Specialists is prob best, just get a new CU fitted (properly by a registered sparky)

[Ali3nat0r]

Ali, please forgive me if wrong, but I'm making an assumption that you are not a qualified electrician and are doing this at a DIY level:

Please stop, and consult a Part P registered electrician. There are several reasons for this:
1) This work requires 'signing off' and registering with your local building control office (assuming you're not in Scotland) and is not something you can do yourself
2) Anything you have bought on ebay that does what you are describing is almost certainly used, could be faulty or possibly even counterfeit and doesn't comply with British Standards
3) You are changing the fundamental characteristics of your property and this could be very dangerous
4) You will not be able to proceed further without disconnecting your incoming mains supply and to do so is illegal, to continue without is just blind stupidity!

Do a search here on the forum for a sparks in your area who will help you out.

Replacing fuses with plug in MCBs needs signing off? I take it that's if I were to replace the fuse socket as well though. If SPARTYKUS has the appropriate ones I need that fit, that shouldn't need signing off should it?

We also don't need a new consumer unit as it was just routinely checked for safety and is fine. They wanted £100 for 5 MCBs, so we decided to look elsewhere because that's rather a lot.

[malcolmsanford]

I'm afraid it does need signing off under Part P if your in England and Wales

From Table 1

Replacing any fixed electrical equipment (for example, socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling roses) which does not include the provision of any new fixed cabling but then note (b) b) If the circuit’s protective measures are unaffected. So it is notifiable

[telectrix]

£100 for 5 is rip off price. around £8 - £9 each is the correct price, including the bases. to replace the fuses with MCBs, you would have to switch off the main switch in the CU, bearing in mind that the incoming tails are still live. they should have shrouds on them, but don't bank on it. the problem you have is that by fitting MCBs in place of fuses, you are altering the characteristics of all the circuits in your house. strictly speaking, this needs certifying and notifying to your LABC., which can only be done by a registered sparks. whether or not you still want to go down the route of doing this work yourself is your choice. nobody will know ( until ,of course, you have a fire or injury)

[goldie]

ali, Wouldnt cost much more to upgrade to a 17th edition board with rcd protection.
Everything rockingit stated above is correct... apart from (no4) as you can just isolate your board at the main switch to swap the fuse and carriers without taking out the main incoming fuse
The carriers have obviously not been supplied with the new mcbs so they cant be installed correctly or safely without them. Either way if your changing the characteristics by replacing the board or just the plug in mcbs you will requie a test and certification from a part p registered electrician so i would recommend its brought up to current standards by them.