RCBO Ways

[VulcanElectrical]

Hi,

Im replacing the MCB's in my board with RCBO's and my question is this: Do lights need to be on RCBO's streight away? I only ask as the RCBO's for my board are quite expensive and I will be getting them as and when I can. All of my switches are plastic. I plan to do the whole board but im starting with sockets etc.

Thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

if the original installation and any additional work was carried out to the circuit before July 2008, RCD/RCBO protection is/was not required.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Do lights need to be on RCBO's streight away?

No, as you are doing it this way, it's up to you.

You are right to do the sockets first.

However I would do the lights next as it's not only for electrical safety.
The lights going out at night because of a fault in the immersion heater, for example, can be dangerous in other ways.

I am assuming a group of circuits is protected by an RCD.

 

[VulcanElectrical]

Do lights need to be on RCBO's streight away?

No, as you are doing it this way, it's up to you.

You are right to do the sockets first.

However I would do the lights next as it's not only for electrical safety.
The lights going out at night because of a fault in the immersion heater, for example, can be dangerous in other ways.

I am assuming a group of circuits is protected by an RCD.

The current board config is: Main 100a Switch -> MCB's and there is no room in its current location to fit a dual RCD board hence the RCBO's

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

What also must be taken in to consideration, is by removing MCBs and installing RCBO.
You have gone it to the realms of notifiable work

 

[VulcanElectrical]

What also must be taken in to consideration, is by removing MCBs and installing RCBO.
You have gone it to the realms of notifiable work

All taken care of

 

[EFLImpudence]

The current board config is: Main 100a Switch -> MCB's and there is no room in its current location to fit a dual RCD board hence the RCBO's

Ok - my point about the lights doesn't apply, then.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

All taken care of

Glad to hear that!
Like my previous post stated, it is not a requirement to install RCD/RCBO protection, unless work was carried out after July 2008.

 

[VulcanElectrical]

All taken care of

Glad to hear that!
Like my previous post stated, it is not a requirement to install RCD/RCBO protection, unless work was carried out after July 2008.

The original board was installed over 10 years ago so your point is valid but i its safer to do so!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The original board was installed over 10 years ago so your point is valid but i its safer to do so!

Thought I would mention it, just in case you have been told otherwise and are carrying out unnecessary work.
I assume that the circuit is being tested and the RCBO

 

[VulcanElectrical]

The original board was installed over 10 years ago so your point is valid but i its safer to do so!

Thought I would mention it, just in case you have been told otherwise and are carrying out unnecessary work.
I assume that the circuit is being tested and the RCBO

Yes it will all be tested. thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Yes it will all be tested. thanks

If that's the case? I have very little to add!
Other than......
If you intend to replace all the MCBs with RCBOs, it would have been much cheaper to replace the board with dual RCD one.
You will not end up with all circuits individually protected though.
But at £25-35 a RCBO can be quite costly!

 

[VulcanElectrical]

Yes it will all be tested. thanks

If that's the case? I have very little to add!
Other than......
If you intend to replace all the MCBs with RCBOs, it would have been much cheaper to replace the board with dual RCD one.
You will not end up with all circuits individually protected though.
But at £25-35 a RCBO can be quite costly!

I would love to save cash and go down the dual RCD route but the location where the board is, is too small to accept one so I have to use a small 8 way board with a plain 100a isolator

 

[martinxxxxxx]

All RCBOs are more compliant too

 

[Paul_C]

What also must be taken in to consideration, is by removing MCBs and installing RCBO.
You have gone it to the realms of notifiable work

Have you? I would say it's exempt from notification under 1(a) of Building Regulations Schedule 4:

1. Work consisting of—

(a) replacing any fixed electrical equipment which does not include the provision of—

(i) any new fixed cabling, or

(ii) a consumer unit;

As debated at length recently:
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=286025&start=0

Like my previous post stated, it is not a requirement to install RCD/RCBO protection, unless work was carried out after July 2008.

Just to make it clear, this is a requirement if you want or need to comply with BS7671:2008. There's no fundamental electrical reason why it's necessary, and as BS7671 is not mandatory, no legal requirement either.