spots blowing fuse box
- Thread starter Orlando
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Unfortunately a fact of life with mains spotlights, at the point of burning out they draw a larger current (even more than a conventional GLS bulb) and will blow the wire fuse. A new consumer unit with trips will be even worse as MCB's are far more sensitive.
ELV lighting is more tolerent of this occurence.
ELV lighting is more tolerent of this occurence.
If (as is likely) you have an old Wylex board, then you can buy a 5A or 6A MCB to replace the old cartridge fuseholder.
It won't stop it blowing, but you can reset it by pressing a button or flicking a switch, which is a lot easier and quicker. and cost-free.
If you are too mean to buy a new one for £7.50 you can buy a second-hand one on fleabay for a pound or two (but make sure it comes with the plastic backing shield which is not quite the same as your old one).
p.s. if you do have a new consumer unit installed one day, it is possible to buy Type C MCBs for the main makers, which are slower to blow at the same Amperage. We have to use these on Theatre lighting systems which have a bit of a switch-on surge.
It won't stop it blowing, but you can reset it by pressing a button or flicking a switch, which is a lot easier and quicker. and cost-free.
If you are too mean to buy a new one for £7.50 you can buy a second-hand one on fleabay for a pound or two (but make sure it comes with the plastic backing shield which is not quite the same as your old one).
p.s. if you do have a new consumer unit installed one day, it is possible to buy Type C MCBs for the main makers, which are slower to blow at the same Amperage. We have to use these on Theatre lighting systems which have a bit of a switch-on surge.
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Yes. Provided it is the "Wylex Standard" it is the same height and width, and has two brass prongs on the back that plug in like the old one. You have to turn off your CU and unscrew the old white (5A) plastic shield, the new one fits in the same way and screws in. Then you plug in the 5A or 6A MCB and then you can turn the power on.
All the plastic shields are in a different colour for each amperage, and have slightly different slots for the prongs so that you do not fit the wrong one.
When fitting new ones, you take out one old and fit one new, doing them one at a time so that you do not fit the wrong one by mistake.
I believe there were more than 20 million of these Wylex Standard boxes installed over the last 40 years, and they are still made, so there are plenty around. Many people converted to MCBs and when they next rewired and new newer/bigger CUs installed some of them (or their electricians) hope to make a few quid selling on the old breakers.
older type
latest type.
All the plastic shields are in a different colour for each amperage, and have slightly different slots for the prongs so that you do not fit the wrong one.
When fitting new ones, you take out one old and fit one new, doing them one at a time so that you do not fit the wrong one by mistake.
I believe there were more than 20 million of these Wylex Standard boxes installed over the last 40 years, and they are still made, so there are plenty around. Many people converted to MCBs and when they next rewired and new newer/bigger CUs installed some of them (or their electricians) hope to make a few quid selling on the old breakers.
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