Retrofit Surge Protection Device & Other Matters

[Garry9]

Hi, I've recently moved into a property with a Hager VC776R consumer unit (plastic 17th edition 14way split load twin RCCB & 6A RCBO).

I'm not getting trips (so far), nor are there any other issues with the electrics as far as I am aware, but I'd like opinions on whether or not to replace or upgrade (or leave well alone).

The board is split 7MCB/6MCB/1RCBO and fully populated with Type AC MCBs.

Firstly, is it worth adding surge protection by retrofitting an SPD, e.g. Hager's SPD kit "T2 SPD"?
Although fully populated with MCBs, it appears to have room to shift all devices along 2 slots to fit the SPD.

Secondly, it would be good to know if I would be able to use this unit with an EV charger.
There is an unused 32A MCB, which I know would need to be swapped out for a Type A at the very least, but is that all that would be needed, or would I be looking at a dedicated CU?
(Do EV chargers need or have their own surge protection built in I wonder?).

The CU's internals are a spaghetti mess (yes, I've opened the box and looked. There's an isolation switch in the meter cupboard).
According to the label on the box, it's overdue an inspection. Does this mean I need to arrange for an EICR, and could that include answering all of the above?

Anyhow, I thought it worth seeking opinions before I get a professional in to take a look/quote/etc.

Based on estimates I've seen on the net, I can't justify having the whole unit replaced nor upgrading to RCBOs or AFDD/RCBOs, if that's even possible.

Any opinions gratefully received, and my apologies if any of the above ramblings is talking tosh (I realise "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing").
Thanks for reading this far.

 

[Fleeting]

If you've had the cover off you may as well show a picture.

 

[Fusewirey]

As a complete aside, decades ago I assume fuse boxes were always in metal boxes. (Is that so?)

It must have been obvious that plastic was going to be a bad idea, so was it a particular Regs version that allowed them?


(Question for the historians amongst you.)

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

As a complete aside, decades ago I assume fuse boxes were always in metal boxes. (Is that so?)

It must have been obvious that plastic was going to be a bad idea, so was it a particular Regs version that allowed them?


(Question for the historians amongst you.)

No consumer units were not always metal decades ago.

It was in Jan 2016 that regulation 421.1.201 became effective requiring that CU's in domestic dwellings to be non-combustible,
or mounted in a non-combustible enclosure.

Why would you think plastic is a bad idea for enclosing electrical equipment/switch gear?
Correctly designed installed and terminated connections are no more dangerous in plastic than they are in metal.

Have a look at what your electricity meter is enclosed in? or your cut-out fuse? or all your socket outlets etc.. etc..

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hi, I've recently moved into a property with a Hager VC776R consumer unit (plastic 17th edition 14way split load twin RCCB & 6A RCBO).

I'm not getting trips (so far), nor are there any other issues with the electrics as far as I am aware, but I'd like opinions on whether or not to replace or upgrade (or leave well alone).

The board is split 7MCB/6MCB/1RCBO and fully populated with Type AC MCBs.

Firstly, is it worth adding surge protection by retrofitting an SPD, e.g. Hager's SPD kit "T2 SPD"?
Although fully populated with MCBs, it appears to have room to shift all devices along 2 slots to fit the SPD.

Secondly, it would be good to know if I would be able to use this unit with an EV charger.
There is an unused 32A MCB, which I know would need to be swapped out for a Type A at the very least, but is that all that would be needed, or would I be looking at a dedicated CU?
(Do EV chargers need or have their own surge protection built in I wonder?).

The CU's internals are a spaghetti mess (yes, I've opened the box and looked. There's an isolation switch in the meter cupboard).
According to the label on the box, it's overdue an inspection. Does this mean I need to arrange for an EICR, and could that include answering all of the above?

Anyhow, I thought it worth seeking opinions before I get a professional in to take a look/quote/etc.

Based on estimates I've seen on the net, I can't justify having the whole unit replaced nor upgrading to RCBOs or AFDD/RCBOs, if that's even possible.

Any opinions gratefully received, and my apologies if any of the above ramblings is talking tosh (I realise "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing").
Thanks for reading this far.

If the CU internals are a mess then its probably been a DIY bodge job..?

First thing would be to get the whole installation fully tested first.

Your little knowledge comment does appear to ring true with some of your descriptions such as Type A MCB's?????

 

[binky]

if yu want to upgrade, swop all the MCBs for RCBOs for gretaer reliability. Removingt he two RCDs will also leave you lots of space for surgeprotection, not that you necessarily need that.

 

[Murdoch]

A photo would be helpful

 

[Andy™]

As a complete aside, decades ago I assume fuse boxes were always in metal boxes. (Is that so?)

you assume wrong. some were, however many were not. and many were made of wood frames

 

[binky]

you assume wrong. some were, however many were not. and many were made of wood frames

Not seen a burnt woody Wylex yet

 

[Andy™]

Not seen a burnt woody Wylex yet

i would say you've not looked hard enough, but I've seen many of them with very badly burnt wiring inside yet the wood still hasn't burnt

 

[mainline]

Your little knowledge comment does appear to ring true with some of your descriptions such as Type A MCB's?????

The Op did say that the board was populated with type AC mcbs.

The Op in fairness did say he was getting an Electrician in he also said "my apologies if any of the above ramblings is talking tosh (I realise "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing").

 

[mainline]

Hi, I've recently moved into a property with a Hager VC776R consumer unit (plastic 17th edition 14way split load twin RCCB & 6A RCBO).

I'm not getting trips (so far), nor are there any other issues with the electrics as far as I am aware, but I'd like opinions on whether or not to replace or upgrade (or leave well alone).

The board is split 7MCB/6MCB/1RCBO and fully populated with Type AC MCBs.

Firstly, is it worth adding surge protection by retrofitting an SPD, e.g. Hager's SPD kit "T2 SPD"?
Although fully populated with MCBs, it appears to have room to shift all devices along 2 slots to fit the SPD.

Secondly, it would be good to know if I would be able to use this unit with an EV charger.
There is an unused 32A MCB, which I know would need to be swapped out for a Type A at the very least, but is that all that would be needed, or would I be looking at a dedicated CU?
(Do EV chargers need or have their own surge protection built in I wonder?).

The CU's internals are a spaghetti mess (yes, I've opened the box and looked. There's an isolation switch in the meter cupboard).
According to the label on the box, it's overdue an inspection. Does this mean I need to arrange for an EICR, and could that include answering all of the above?

Anyhow, I thought it worth seeking opinions before I get a professional in to take a look/quote/etc.

Based on estimates I've seen on the net, I can't justify having the whole unit replaced nor upgrading to RCBOs or AFDD/RCBOs, if that's even possible.

Any opinions gratefully received, and my apologies if any of the above ramblings is talking tosh (I realise "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing").
Thanks for reading this far.

Like already said a picture of the Cu would be a help.

I would think that the best way is to have a Board change to something like a Fusebox spd/rcbo board.

The cost of upgrading that CU + eicr maybe more than a new CU, and you will end up still having a plastic one.

 

[Garry9]

I thought I might write something foolish when I wrote the post up.
I meant to say the RCDs were Type AC (sorry!).

I believe plastic boxes were considered absolutely fine up until a few years ago, and that there is no need to replace them with metal if everything is working ok. If I went ahead with an EICR and it concluded I needed a replacement, then clearly.....

If I was looking to replace it regardless, with a unit that met all current regs (not sure anyone would do that unless there was a known issue or it lacked capacity), then I wouldn't be asking some of the questions I asked, i.e. retrofitting, EV charger capability etc. (I don't, obviously)

The intention of my post was to be better informed ahead seeking a local electrician to look/quote.
It has failed.

 

[Garry9]

My apologies Mainline, your comments are actually helpful.

 

[Fleeting]

No picture then?

 

[mainline]

I believe plastic boxes were considered absolutely fine up until a few years ago, and that there is no need to replace them with metal if everything is working ok. If I went ahead with an EICR and it concluded I needed a replacement, then clearly.....

Yes, you are correct.
But again, posting a pic of the cut-out/main fuse and CU would be helpful.

 

[Garry9]

No picture then?

Not sure if you wanted to see internals, but these will have to do for now.

 

[Garry9]

Meter cupboard.

 

[Fleeting]

We like internals.

 

[mainline]

View attachment 17574View attachment 17575View attachment 17576View attachment 17577
Not sure if you wanted to see internals, but these will have to do for now.

Maybe I've word blindness or something, but I can't see a Hob, oven, or immersion are you on gas, oil?