CU Neutral Copper Bar?

[Ohmslaw]

Hi. I recently moved into my house and had the CU open today. It is a split with one side protected by RCD, and the other half not (although this side has RCBOs). Noticed on the RCD circuit side, that there isnt a copper bar from RCD to each individual circuit on the load side. There is a separate neutral bar for RCD circuits though. Circuits on RCD side also trip when I press the Test button on RCD, so I assume everything is fine? Just always used to seeing the copper bar so was just looking for guidance. Cheers

 

[Ohmslaw]

Photos attached

 

[plugwash]

Looking at your pictures it looks to me like there is a bar from the RCD to the RCD side breakers, but you can't see the copper because there is a plastic cover over it.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It is a split with one side protected by RCCB, and the other half not (although this side has RCBOs).

So - all RCD protected.

Noticed on the RCCB circuit side, that there isnt a copper bar from RCCB to each individual circuit on the load side.

Under the plastic cover?

I think you will have to clarify the rest -

There is a separate neutral bar for RCD circuits though. Circuits on RCD side also trip when I press the Test button on RCD, so I assume everything is fine? Just always used to seeing the copper bar so was just looking for guidance. Cheers

 

[Ohmslaw]

Yes all RCD protected, was just explaining the layout as individual RCBOs on one side rather than protected by one RCD.

Did wonder if there might have been something under the plastic cover, thought it mightve been too small to cover the copper bar. I will have a proper look when I can get the power off.

RCD works fine as it should do, so I'm guessing everything is fine with it. Was just curiosity. Cheers for your replies

 

[333rocky333]

Am i the only one confused, the post title mentions the Neutral bar?, the plastic covered bar is the Live bar, there should be a 2nd Neutral bar at the top where each of the Rcbo Neutral leads connect into.
The Neutral bar in your picture is connected to the Neutral output of the RCD by the fat blue wire and only for the MCB circuits.
A picture of the whole board would have been better,

The Live bars are often like this, but can vary like yours.

 

[JohnW2]

Am i the only one confused, the post title mentions the Neutral bar?, the plastic covered bar is the Live bar, there should be a 2nd Neutral bar at the top where each of the Rcbo Neutral leads connect into.

No, you're not the only one who is confused. I think that the OP might realise that the 'second' (RCBO) neutral bar exists, because he wrote ...

.... There is a separate neutral bar for RCD circuits though.

Since he says 'separate', that seems to imply that he acknowledges the presence of another one (i.e. that for the non-RCD {i.e. RCBO}) circuits.

The Neutral bar in your picture is connected to the Neutral output of the RCD by the fat blue wire and only for the MCB circuits.

It could be that it is the function/significance of that 'fat blue wire' that is what the OP is missing.

It's also possible that he was expecting to see separate neutrals for each RCD, as for the RCBOs?

I would agree with you when you say:

A picture of the whole board would have been better,

Kind Regards, John

 

[Ohmslaw]

Yep, I'm being an idiot. Meant to say Live Bar. It was a long day yesterday thanks for your replies, appreciated.

My little experience with domestic wiring I've only seen the big chunky copper bar linking the breakers together, but obviously this has a smaller one under the plastic bit in the photo.