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how much can you bend a bus bar?

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  • 10-10-2019 5:49pm
    #1
    testings56
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭


    title, just had a bit of very basic work done adding a few new sockets and some lights and the electican added new mcbs to the board, but last night I heard something like a snap. in the morning I noticed that 3 of the mcbs were after moving now I'm wondering if they just slid out of place or are the new mcbs putting pressure on the bar and in turn after pushing out the mcbs? I've checked inside the cover and nothing appears to be broken


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    #2
    johnnyfruitcake
    Registered Users Posts: 314 ✭✭johnnyfruitcake


    Probably best you throw up a picture


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    #3
    testings56
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭testings56


    johnnyfruitcake wrote: »
    Probably best you through up a picture

    no probs

    http://imgur.com/a/eFOpHXc


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    #4
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Very poor workmanship. Apart from poorly installed busbar that other cable (looks like a 1.5mm sq. PVC/PVC) should not be there. Obviously it would make much more sense only to use dimensionally identical MCBs.

    I would be concerned that the connections made with the busbar are not good enough. This could result in over heating.


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    #5
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    testings56 wrote: »
    no probs

    http://imgur.com/a/eFOpHXc

    Looks like discoloration on right side.....

    It wouldn't be great to be honest, could come loose or even arc over time.


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    #6
    testings56
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭testings56


    2011 wrote: »
    Very poor workmanship. Apart from poorly installed busbar that other cable (looks like a 1.5mm sq. PVC/PVC) should not be there. Obviously it would make much more sense only to use dimensionally identical MCBs.

    I would be concerned that the connections made with the busbar are not good enough. This could result in over heating.

    the wire I think is 16mm


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    #7
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    testings56 wrote: »
    the wire I think is 16mm

    That’s considerably better!
    Better again would be if it was panel flex so that it would not strain the connection with a ferrule crimped on to the end of it.


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    #8
    meercat
    Registered Users Posts: 4,730 ✭✭✭meercat


    I’m assuming there is a cover for that distribution board.
    Any chance of a photo of the whole board
    Another example of poor workmanship alright
    Was it was a rec that did this as it’s an criminal offense otherwise


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    #9
    hunter164
    Registered Users Posts: 2,076 ✭✭✭hunter164


    testings56 wrote: »
    no probs

    http://imgur.com/a/eFOpHXc


    Holy Lord


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    #10
    testings56
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭testings56


    meercat wrote: »
    I’m assuming there is a cover for that distribution board.
    Any chance of a photo of the whole board
    Another example of poor workmanship alright
    Was it was a rec that did this as it’s an criminal offense otherwise

    yes there's a cover I just took it off to see what was after happening when I saw the mcbs were after moving, yes he was a rec, I can take a photo of the board when I get back


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    #11
    Cerco
    Registered Users Posts: 2,034 ✭✭✭Cerco


    One of the mcb’s has tripped out. Was that the snapping you heard?


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    #12
    testings56
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭testings56


    Cerco wrote: »
    One of the mcb’s has tripped out. Was that the snapping you heard?

    no that's for an outdoor socket and to prevent deadbeat neighbours driving up my electricity bill that stays off when not in use. I think the general consensus here is that this needs sorting, I ring the electrician in the morning and get this fixed.


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    #13
    Risteard81
    Registered Users Posts: 2,567 ✭✭✭Risteard81


    testings56 wrote: »
    yes there's a cover I just took it off to see what was after happening when I saw the mcbs were after moving, yes he was a rec, I can take a photo of the board when I get back

    I'm not being funny but you are not legally allowed to remove the cover from the DB.

    That said, the devices are clearly non-compatible and the busbar has been deformed to accommodate these. It's not acceptable and could pose a hazard.


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    #14
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Risteard81 wrote: »
    I'm not being funny but you are not legally allowed to remove the cover from the DB.

    Thats true.
    However in this case it is just as well that he did as the REC left the board in a sorry state.

    Now that the OP is aware of the issue he can get it addressed by a competent electrician (I would recommend steering clear of the previous REC).


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    #15
    testings56
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭testings56


    2011 wrote: »
    Thats true.
    However in this case it is just as well that he did as the REC left the board in a sorry state.

    Now that the OP is aware of the issue he can get it addressed by a competent electrician (I would recommend steering clear of the previous REC).

    well rest assured the cover is back on and staying on till I get some rec to sort it, I was thinking about calling your man but I'd say I'll get a new rec to take care of it.

    thanks for all the advise


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    #16
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    Risteard81 wrote: »
    I'm not being funny but you are not legally allowed to remove the cover from the DB.

    That said, the devices are clearly non-compatible and the busbar has been deformed to accommodate these.

    Has the busbar been modified?


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    #17
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    Bruthal wrote: »
    Has the busbar been modified?

    Bent....


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    #18
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    punisher5112 wrote: »
    Bent....

    Many busbars are bent and it is not necessarily an issue. It depends on how they are bent and whether they are designed to be bent or not.

    47148860391_4ffe96f3bd.jpg


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    #19
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    2011 wrote: »
    Many busbars are bent and it is not necessarily an issue. It depends on how they are bent and whether they are designed to be bent or not.

    47148860391_4ffe96f3bd.jpg

    Yes but the op one isn't even sitting into the MCB properly.


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    #20
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    punisher5112 wrote: »
    Yes but the op one isn't even sitting into the MCB properly.

    I did point this out if you look back (see post #4). However this is different to bending busbars.


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    #21
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    2011 wrote: »
    I did point this out if you look back (see post #4). However this is different to bending busbars.

    I've bent them to fit but they were always connected fully into each MCB.


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    #22
    dodzy
    Registered Users Posts: 9,930 ✭✭✭dodzy


    meercat wrote: »
    I’m assuming there is a cover for that distribution board.
    Any chance of a photo of the whole board
    Another example of poor workmanship alright
    Was it was a rec that did this as it’s an criminal offense otherwise

    Otherwise? It should be a criminal offence for a REC to carry out work like that. Another butcher identified.


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    #23
    HappyAsLarE
    Closed Accounts Posts: 771 ✭✭✭HappyAsLarE


    Just goes to show registration of a contractor does not guarantee anything.


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    #24
    Torsevt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭Torsevt


    Are u even allowed use uninsulated busbar on new work

    Shouldn't it be ip2x


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    #25
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Torsevt wrote: »
    Are u even allowed use uninsulated busbar on new work

    Preferred, but not mandatory. Have a loom at the photo I included in post #18, as you can imagine there would not be an insulated version of this. Direct contact will be prevented by the MCC enclosure.
    Shouldn't it be ip2x

    It will be once the cover is fitted.


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    #26
    Torsevt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭Torsevt


    2011 wrote: »
    Preferred, but not mandatory. Have a loom at the photo I included in post #18, as you can imagine there would not be an insulated version of this. Direct contact will be prevented by the MCC enclosure.



    It will be once the cover is fitted.

    Ip2x means you can take off the cover and poke your finger round relatively safely

    Its not when the covers on the DB


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    #27
    Torsevt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭Torsevt


    One is a busbar chamber or enclosure

    You would isolate before removing cover

    A DB you won't always hence the insulation


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    #28
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Torsevt wrote: »
    Ip2x means you can take off the cover and poke your finger round relatively safely

    That is not the definition of IP2X


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    #29
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Torsevt wrote: »
    One is a busbar chamber or enclosure

    Yes, in which case it exceeds the requirements of IP2X.
    You would isolate before removing cover

    A DB you won't always hence the insulation

    In both cases isolating before removing the cover is an option.


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    #30
    Torsevt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭Torsevt


    2011 wrote: »
    That is not the definition of IP2X

    Maybe not but the point is you can poke a finger around Inside a new DB


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    #31
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,541 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Torsevt wrote: »
    Maybe not but the point is you can poke a finger around Inside a new DB

    Agreed, that is why I said insulated busbar was “preferred”.

    I’m not trying to be smart, but it is not possible to to make direct contact with the busbar when the cover is in place. The same applies to lots of electrical kit within an installation. The point is that insulated busbar is not a mandatory requirement.

    We have a lot of people (often REC’s) on this forum incorrectly stating what the rules require.


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