MCB no BS number

[the_mouse]

Hi

Just done a minor job where the MCB's had no BS number on them at all, they are Steeple series E, the board was fitted in 1993, look very much like BS EN 60898, what should i record on the cert??

thanks

 

[Lee321]

not to BS

 

[Brian 157]

Is there nothing at all on the MCBs? If they're from 1993 they may be BS3871, is there a type number (1,2,3 or 4) or letter (B,C or D) on them? I have known breakers only have BS number on the side so you need to remove them to check.

If no BS number at all then Lee (above) is correct, you cannot confirm they are to the appropriate standard and must record that on the certificate.

 

[Lee321]

you have to be careful. they may look the real deal but you never know if some unscrupulous or stupid geezer thought hmmm i could easy mould them with the access i have to a molding machine and the inners is just a bimetallic strip right? how hard can it be. headbang highly highly unlikely but it could happen

 

[the_mouse]

Hi, my mistake the board fitted in 1998 not 93 sorry, they are B curve 6 KA capacity, no BS number on front sides or back, it was at my mothers house so i popped out a spare one will upload a pic in few mins.

 

[Lee321]

to the letter they aren't showing there conformance to BS and you should record "no BS No" but they probably are 60898's and worthy

 

[the_mouse]

here are pics

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b130/the_mouse/69528710.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b130/the_mouse/7d4be7e9.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b130/the_mouse/5bfd0255.jpg

 

[Lee321]

i'd be happy to underwrite them. just down grade them to 3871 and note on cert mcb's had no bs number. not safe for means of isolation.

your not concerned that they will not operate as BS specifies are you?

 

[the_mouse]

I was going to use it for minor job on my assesment but found too many problems, do you think the assesor will frown upon this or accept that i spotted anomolies and noted them on cert??

 

[Sidewinder]

Don't think they can be 3871's as the breaking capacity is marked as 6000 in a box as per the 60898 requirement & marked as B20.

Aren't 3871's marked with an M number for the breaking capacity, can't remember, I was looking at some Sunday too!

 

[Lee321]

capacity cannot be used as designation of its BS though. its an indication but no means of conformance.

It is good that you have checked and spotted the missing bs number. however this would have been good if you were showing a pir.

you could not fit that mcb as a new job knowing what you don't know about it. i.e BS compliance

 

[Sidewinder]

Lee,

Correct, but you can't assume that the are 3871's without marking either, my point, which I often don't make wel, is that the markings correspond more closely with those required by 60898 than 3871

 

[Lee321]

agree side Guinness

yeah my reasoning was to down grade them if anything

 

[Sidewinder]

Thing is Lee is putting it as a 3871 a downgrade really?

I don't think it is, it is just that the 3871 is the predecessor to the 60898, it is not necessarily so that the 60898 is superior to the 3871, it is just the latest model as it were!

 

[Lee321]

the 3871 cannot be used as a means of isolation but a 60898 can so i see it as a lesser mcb

 

[the_mouse]

Quick update guys, been to Denmans and got a replacement Steeple MCB which they assure me will fit this board, going back to the installation tomorrow to make sure it does fit and then i'll replace all exiting for newer ones, saves any awkward questions during assesment..

cheers

 

[Evans Electric]

This cropped up a few years ago , Steeple is Denman's brand , (Crabtree) as you may know, I got a BS number from Denmans Manager , but don't ask me what it was. Sorry.

 

[Megaohm7]

This cropped up a few years ago , Steeple is Denman's brand , (Crabtree) as you may know, I got a BS number from Denmans Manager , but don't ask me what it was. Sorry.

I was in my local Denmans yesterday. I was looking at the Steeple brand of CU's while I was there. Wished that I had looked a bit closer for the BSEN Number. Going back to the OP, I would have thought a BS/EN number would have to be present on the device. Unless it is very feint.

 

[Ash]

I bought an MK RCD a few months ago and the BS number wasn't written anywhere except on the little instruction leaflet that was in the box. It had me annoyed for ages until I finally had the confirmation on the leaflet.

 

[sparkytim]

The earlier steeple type were made by GE. The B20 marking would fit BS EN 60898 B Type. 6000 in a box means 6ka Rating.