Help identifying MCB (*Pics Added*)

[Davies365]

Hi,
I have a Square D consumer unit and need to upgrade one of the MCB’s to a 40 for a 9.5KW shower.
On the MCB’s they have written Type 2, M6. Please can someone tell me what I need to be looking for as I can’t turn anything up by googling it. Is there a suitable alternative or where can I get one from?

Regards

 

[steve190]

Sounds like a BS3871 MCB, the M6 indicating that it rated to 6000A short circuit current (this is not the overload current). These have been superceeded by the BS60898 (Type B, C & D).


Without knowing its rating and the size/length of cable you are using/ plan to use for your shower and the cable route & installation method then it isn't possible to say what to use instead.

 

[fido]

I would have thought you would need a 45 amp MCB for 9.5KW.

 

[Albert]

I would have thought you would need a 45 amp MCB for 9.5KW.

Agree; 9500/230 = 41.3A, the nearest up is 45A MCB and you must make sure that the cable can carry this load (considering all factors)

 

[Davies365]

Thanks guys.
The cable to the shower is 10mm, approx 9m in length and is currently on a 32 MCB (worked fine on the old less powerful shower). The Cable and current 32 MCB only serve the shower.

 

[plugwash]

so you are going to need a 45A or 50A fuse or breaker to fit your board.

the question is where to get one that will fit.

any chance of a photo of the board with the cover off?

 

[Davies365]

Cheers guys,
Here is my unit.

 

[Lectrician]

I have none of them, and am fairly sure you will struggle to source one

Try Ebay

 

[plugwash]

the easiest option is probablly to use a henly block in the tails and a seperate shower CU

 

[Davies365]

So is there no alternative that will fit?

With regards to the shower CU and henly block what sort of cost would you say?

 

[salem2000]

A dig through My Favorites found The Fuse Company


Don't know if they can help, but what can you loose.

Salem

 

[Davies365]

Cheers Salem, maybe just what I am looking for.

Do you think this one will do the job?

if so would it have be type B or C?

My existing fuse says on it :
TYpe QO-EBS
3871 Part 1
240V 1PH. 50/60HZ
415V 3PH. 50/60HZ

or one of the others from herehttp://www.thefusecompany.com/index.php?cPath=54

 

[Adam_151]

You would want a type B, which is the general purpose one, type C is motor rated for things that have big motors in them and take huge startup currents for a short time

Edit: look at the bottom of it, where it connects to the busbar looks different from your existing ones

 

[Davies365]

Thanks so B type it is.
I have taken my MCB out, here is a pic:

They look about the same too me, can anyone please tell me different.

Thanks

 

[plugwash]

Adam: it looks to me that the busbar connections are at the top and the cable connections at the bottom in that CU

Davies: i can't see any differences in parts of those breakers that would affect the fit and its the same brand so it will almost certainly be fine.