Garage Consumer Unit

[securespark]

the breaker is rated at 32. Is that not a little too high?

Indeed it is. With a single 2.5mm² cable, the maximum permissible MCB rating would be 20A.

Kind Regards, John.

Or 25A?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Other than the 32Amp on 2.5mm, that is!

That's why John wrote

"Provided the MCB is downrated to 20A (or the cable uprated to 4mm² - which I doubt the OP needs), I see nothing wrong with his present set-up." and not just "I see nothing wrong with his present set-up."

 

[JohnW2]

Indeed it is. With a single 2.5mm² cable, the maximum permissible MCB rating would be 20A.

Or 25A?

If every inch of the cable is Method C, then technically yes (if one could find a 25A MCB for his CU). However, for those obsessed with the deemed-to-satisfy bits of the regs, Appendix 15 talks of only 20A 2.5mm² radial finals, not 25A ones (and FWIW I've personally never seen, heard or come across a 25A radial final).

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sour...B&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_en__426GB426&q=b25+mcb

 

[JohnW2]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_en__426GB426&q=b25+mcb

I was not suggesting that 25A MCBs don't exist, merely that it might be difficult (or, indeed, impossible) to find one recommended for the OP's CU. For example, TLC don't offer 25A MCBs for MK, Wylex, Hager, Crabtree or Contactum CUs.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

TLC are not the only supplier...

 

[JohnW2]

TLC are not the only supplier...

I'm not suggesting they are, but if they don't list a 25A MCB for any of the makes of CUs they sell, I regard that as an indication that, at the least, they are not very 'readily available'.

As a matter of interest, do you happen to know which (if any) of the major suppliers of CUs even manufacture a 25A MCB for the common ranges of domestic CUs - I've just looked in the MK and Wylex catalogues, and neither of them seem to.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sour...B&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_en__426GB426&q=b25+mcb

 

[securespark]

I've personally never seen, heard or come across a 25A radial final

Sorry, John. I posted the bit about a 25A breaker tongue-in-cheek, but see you've been pounced upon.

I understand you're not denying the existence of 25A breakers. And you're not denying the existence of 25A radials, just that you have never seen one.

I have seen one in this country in 25 years of looking!

Doubtless if I went to Ireland, I may see more.

 

[JohnW2]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_en__426GB426&q=b25+mcb

I take it that, despite the absence of words, you agree that few, if any, of the major manufacturers of CUs commonly used in UK offer a 25A MCB for their current ranges of domestic CUs?

Kind Regards, John.

 

[JohnW2]

Sorry, John. I posted the bit about a 25A breaker tongue-in-cheek, but see you've been pounced upon.

No need to apologise - the pouncing was just about par for the course!

I understand you're not denying the existence of 25A breakers. And you're not denying the existence of 25A radials, just that you have never seen one. I have seen one in this country in 25 years of looking!

That qualifies as 'rare' in my mind!

Doubtless if I went to Ireland, I may see more.

Maybe, but would that be 25 Irish amps, or 25 of ours?

Kind Regards, John.

 

[securespark]

Probably the Irish ones.

Perhaps they're less efficient as maybe they've had a Guiness & Jamesons chaser.

 

[JohnW2]

Probably the Irish ones. Perhaps they're less efficient as maybe they've had a Guiness & Jamesons chaser.

That would make sense

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I take it that, despite the absence of words, you agree that few, if any, of the major manufacturers of CUs commonly used in UK offer a 25A MCB for their current ranges of domestic CUs?

It is a rating not offered by many.

But at least one maker on your list (Hager) have them.

Seems to be a mainland Europe thing - Gewiss do them, and, IIRC, Siemens.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Other than the 32Amp on 2.5mm, that is!

That's why John wrote

"Provided the MCB is downrated to 20A (or the cable uprated to 4mm² - which I doubt the OP needs), I see nothing wrong with his present set-up." and not just "I see nothing wrong with his present set-up."

I was very aware of what John had posted, but felt the need to make the point just incase, someone took my post literally without taking the rreferredpost by John in to consideration.
There are some picky folk on here you know, need to watch ones steps