Switches, MCBs, RCDs - Sequence of wires, IN and OUT?!

GreySquirrel · 22-10-2006 2:26pm #1

On Switches, MCBs, RCDs, marked with numbers, what is the correct sequence for incoming wire? Does it go to side 1 or side 2?

A make or break switch shouldn't care?

But what about MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs, must the live phase come in top or bottom? 1 or 2?

Is it brand dependent?

Copper · 22-10-2006 3:39pm

It doesn't matter for most RCBO's, RCD's and MCB's.

It does matter for switch fuses, fuse switches and the old screw-in neozed fuses, if you get it wrong the outer ring of the fuse holder will be live. For them its brand dependant but normally the phase goes in the bottom.

I normally put phase in bottom (no. 1) and load on top (no. 2), unless its easier to do it the other way.

GreySquirrel · 22-10-2006 5:56pm

Looking at the screw in fuse, I'd worked that out.

the RCD is marked 1 on top, 2 on bottom

GreeBo · 23-10-2006 10:11am

rcd's and mcbs are on when "up" and off when "down"
The supply usually goes in the bottom from the CU's I have seen.

On a somewhat related note, whats the easiest way to remove power from the whoe CU so it can be replaced?
Im assuming I have to remove the main fuse from the ESB box but how do I go about this?
Id rather not just stick my hand in and pull it out :rolleyes: is it switched?

GreySquirrel · 23-10-2006 11:10am

There are all sorts of issues, safety and legal, about "tampering" with the ESB fuse

GreeBo · 23-10-2006 1:23pm

yeah, but any electrician (RECI or not) is just gonna do the same thing right?

Hoagy · 23-10-2006 3:10pm

No, that's why we have apprentices.

charlie@w.d · 23-10-2006 5:23pm

theres a switch that u can turn of in the esb cabinet u have to unscrew a shiny flat head screw and take of a lid and behind it is a switch, which u pull down.

sorry just realised not many have this option, what im on about is for mostly new builds with their own seperate esb cabinets

Copper · 23-10-2006 7:49pm

No, that's why we have apprentices.

Lol.

Or you can do it live.

GreeBo · 24-10-2006 8:37am

Copper wrote:

Lol.

Or you can do it live.

nah, *thats* why you have apprentices!

We have a separate esb cabinet outside the house (with the meter) but the bit where Im assuming the fuse is is hidden behind a plastic cover "sealed" with those esb tamper wire thingies.
If I open that whats gonna be inside?

GreySquirrel · 24-10-2006 11:38am

GreeBo wrote:

nah, *thats* why you have apprentices!

We have a separate esb cabinet outside the house (with the meter) but the bit where Im assuming the fuse is is hidden behind a plastic cover "sealed" with those esb tamper wire thingies.
If I open that whats gonna be inside?

Here, stop fiddling with your thingies and get back to putting the phase in Copper's bottom.

Switches, MCBs, RCDs - Sequence of wires, IN and OUT?!

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