Old Hat

[Blue Duck]

Found these on a housing asoc job, thought them & the install looked more at home on a light industrial unit. 

Proper job.

The customer has had them replaced now as they are too old!?!

I was wondering if they would still comply?

Any other info on them?

I tried to find a spare RCD/MCB combination unit but none exist

Funny enough the customer still has the same problem as before fitting new :S

 

[Evans Electric]

Well Ducky, :innocent    they won't comply with the 17th edition not having RCDs for a start. .

I'd say they were fitted 14th edition . The install looks like a conduit job ?

 

[Blue Duck]

Says on the sticker "designed to accept dorman smith safeline MCB/RCD combination units" BS5486? part 13...?

I know... don't belive the sticker... but I didn't get the chance to take them apart to find out  :innocent

Yes all steel conduit & trunking, very well done too

 

[Blue Duck]

Bumped for more info...?

I revisited this job today to look at the fuse board change and there wasn't one.

The meter had been changed for no apparent reason.?

Iv'e got to install a socket in the bathroom and there is nowhere to spur from so I thought of putting in a small cu (if I can get at the tails) and running from there???

This job is a real ballache and any advice will be gratefully received!

 

[wozz]

I believe these old 3871s are the ones to be careful of, check for type 3 and type 4 breakers,  low max Zs. 

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32A-DORMAN-SMITH-LOADMASTER-SERIES-15-RCD-/290869722054?pt=UK_BOI_CircuitBreakers_RL&hash=item43b92fbbc6

I am sure i fitted those boards to houses back in 78 when i worked for Hadens Housing Systems. They did the domestic stuff like the large office blocks & factories.

 

[binky]

Must be ex MOD or council property - they seem to use all sorts of oddity stuff like aluminium cables, and CUs as pictured. fit srandalone rcd to one circuit, as in feed out of CU to rcd in an enclosure, then go do your bathroom bit. Why are you fitting socket in a bathroom anyway???

 

[Blue Duck]

I believe these old 3871s are the ones to be careful of, check for type 3 and type 4 breakers,  low max Zs. 

I was aware that they would be type 2-4 will need to check as all the details are on the side ffs.

;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32A-DORMAN-SMITH-LOADMASTER-SERIES-15-RCD-/290869722054?pt=UK_BOI_CircuitBreakers_RL&hash=item43b92fbbc6

I am sure i fitted those boards to houses back in 78 when i worked for Hadens Housing Systems. They did the domestic stuff like the large office blocks & factories.

I had been ebaying them for a while but none came up, thanks for the link slippery

Must be ex MOD or council property - they seem to use all sorts of oddity stuff like aluminium cables, and CUs as pictured. fit srandalone rcd to one circuit, as in feed out of CU to rcd in an enclosure, then go do your bathroom bit. Why are you fitting socket in a bathroom anyway???

Its a disabled housing association near Dalston junction, dunno what they were perviously but It doesn't look like any council install Ive seen thus far.

The old fella wants a 3kw electric heater next to the bath...

:innocent

Really he wants a bio bidet which is plugged into a 13 socket, warranty void if plug removed

 

[Hefferl]

In that case, if possible, I'd try to put socket under bath behind panel only removeable with the use of a tool.

 

[Evans Electric]

Or an outdoor type socket with a cover , plug in and put self tapper to hold cover closed ( Use of tool etc)

 

[Doug]

In that case, if possible, I'd try to put socket under bath behind panel only removeable with the use of a tool.

The wiring reg guidance on the ESC website includes:

Q1.43

Is a socket-outlet allowed under a bath behind screwed panels?

No. Socket-outlets in a bathroom (other than SELV socket-outlets and shaver supply units) are not permitted within 3 m of zone 1

Regulation number(s)

• 701.512.3

 

[samson337]

Under the bath is out the zones, if the panel has to be removed with a key or screew's. What will happen to all them installs with whirle pool bath and socket under the bath

 

[samson337]

The space under the bath tub or shower basin is considered to be zone 1. However, if the space under the bath or shower basin is only accessible with a tool, it is considered to be outside the zones.

 

[Blue Duck]

Thanks for the replies

It can't go under the bath as there is a walk in shower in the way and the flex for the bio bidet is only 1.5m long so zone 1 it is... I was thinking of using a 1g masterseal but then I found this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TIMEGUARD-SINGLE-GANG-1G-WEATHERPROOF-SWITCHED-SOCKET-IP66-WATERPROOF-LOCKABLE-/281080806101?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Electrical_Fittings_MJ&hash=item4171b8bad5 Could use the locking feature to my advantage

Oh..If you were wondering a bio bidet is a bit like a Japanese toilet. :shakehead

Guinness

 

[Phoenix]

Ah, the old loadmaster boards.

Two types of breakers fit those, the original loadmaster which were to BS3871 type 4 (toggle about 8mm wide and ratings of 5, 15, 30, etc) http://www.dormansmithswitchgear.com/tec_support_downloads/mcb/Loadmaster_datasheet.pdf for manufacturer specific zs

And loadmaster series 15 (toggle about 20mm wide) to BS3871 type 3 and ratings of 6, 16, 32 etc. Use type C zs values or see manufacturer specific http://www.dormansmithswitchgear.com/tec_support_downloads/mcb/Loadmaster-LXV_Zs_data.pdf

Dont be fooled that because the boards both says loadmaster series 15 that breakers are all going to be series 15, they were interchangeable and were often mixed up, particulaly in the last few years when the original LM is still avaialble, but series 15 is not

Series 15 was early 1980's, the original loadmaster was late 60's through the 70's

 

[Blue Duck]

Thanks for the info Phoenix 

I never assumed the breakers would be compliant more wishful thinking really.

Guinness

 

[Steve3948]

Cutting plug off voids warranty - 100's of appliances in kitchens have this done, it's an old wives tale, call the manufacturer and explain you need to put fused connection unit outside bathroom and outlet plate adjacent to appliance, due to it being a bathroom.

I also find it odd that an appliance made for a bathroom comes with a plug on it, is it for UK use.

 

[Blue Duck]

Not old wives tale in this case, these bio bidet things are expensive bits of kit (£400+) and come with moulded flex at either end.

FAQQ. Does Supreme Bidet Seat requires electricity?A. Yes it does, and it needs to be plugged into an existing outlet with GFI. 
I wish it were that simple, I can't be arsed with this job but my boss wants us to do it and I'll even get a mate for the day!

Not sure where its made but definitely has a uk 3pin plug!!!  headbang

 

[Steve3948]

From a Bio Bidet web site.

The Bio Bidet is equipped with a power cord that can be plugged into a standard domestic power socket protected by a residual current device (RCD). When fitted in a bathroom it would normally be connected via a switched fused spur and RCD. This would be done by a qualified electrician.