F&S mcb

[lessirrocc]

The 6amp mcb on my 2007 eldis supper sirocco has failed completely leaving me with now power from any sockets or the electric heater.

Has anyone ever changes one off these f&s mcbs for any other brand or are they easy too get hold off.

 

[Sproket]

Les

I have just been googling about & come up with this HERE you will have to take your old one out & idealy take it with you to either screwfix or a good electrical wholesaler who will be able to match one up for you...

 

[Chris_374413356]

F&S Chinese MCBs have found to be generally unreliable, so buy a good quality replacement from a reputable stockist.

The UK has been flooded by items that appear to be MCBs in every respect complete with all the correct markings and standards but in truth are only a switch and give no circuit protection whatsoever.

 

[DavidArmstrong]

les,

I am not familiar with F&S mcb's however many MCB's are now interchangeable and I would advise going to a local electrical wholesaler or even DIY store/ Screwfix and taking the old one with you to see if it has the same fixings points. They normally fit onto a din rail in most applications and this is where there can be a slight difference in shape and size.

Some better quality makes are MEM, Merlin Gerin, MK, GE although may not be a suitable replacement for an F&S

It may also be worth checking that the mcb has failed and there is not a problem elsewhere, if you are confident with electricity then (with the power off) disconnect the load side of the mcb and then switch it on and see if there is any voltage using test lamps or a multimeter. (no load test to prove mcb)If it is ok then you will need to start looking elsewhere for a fault.

I am surprised that it is only a 6 amp mcb and has the sockets and heater on it.

Simple calc is watts divided by voltage= amps therefore if you have a 2000 watt electric heater with a 230 volt supply it is roughly 8amps which would be too much for a 6 amp mcb even before there is anything plugged into the sockets.

The issue may be you are drawing too much load between the heater and the sockets and the mcb is tripping, unplug anything plugged into the sockets and switch the heater off and see if there is power coming out of the mcb.

 

[lessirrocc]

Thanks everyone for the advice and hopefully i will get it sorted this week in time for are next trip away.

David The mcb is a 6ka type c and a fellow caravaner who is a spark is also confused why eldis have fitted this.

The mcb has started to be a problem over the last few months sometimes fine and then other times tripping if the caravan door was closed heavy,also you could smell a carbon smell coming from it and you can still smell it now here at home on the desk .

The last time it tripped nothing was plugged in and the fire was off and since then it would not reset .

Tomorrow i will go to city electrics here in chorley and if all els fails i can go and see if discover have one down the road.

 

[Damian]

Having just read this topic I am also confused as to why a 6amp cb was fitted if the heater and sckets are fed by the same cb.

It is recommended by Truma that a 16amp cb is fitted for the Ultraheat, never mind anything else being supplied.

One thing to bear in mind when replacing is that it must be a double pole CB with a minimum C rating or B, but never D.

 

[GStockton]

Hello Les Is the mcb single or double pole? 20mm or 40mm wide.The 6Ka on the mcb is its max fault current rating,not its duty rating.I think you will find its duty rating as a 10amp on it somwhere.There should be no problem in obtaining a replacement I would recomend a type B though.Make sure CEF do not charge you more than about

 

[Woody3]

The replacement you need is known as a DIN-rail fitting. Unless it is something special (and I don't see why it should be) then virtually any make will do. Hager (I think that's how you spell it) are very good and not as expensive as the likes of MK, MEM, or Crabtree.

I am however a little puzzled as to why you 13A socket outlets are running off a 6A breaker. Normally the 6A feeds the lights and the battery charger. The sockets, fridge (usually by a 13A outlet under the seat,) and heater should be fed from a 16A breaker - the caravan wiring will be rated to take that current.

The double size unit is a RCD and should be rated 63A/30mA.

 

[lessirrocc]

GS its a double and the letters and numbers on it are C45N

C10

415V

IEC 898

6KA

I was in outdoor world yesterday and i had a look at a tent hook up and it too had a F&S BOX attached too it with the same mcb.

 

[xtrailman]

I take that as a ten amp CB. Try toolstation cheaper than screwfix for many items, i use both, toolstation.com will deliver free if spend is

 

[GStockton]

Les theres one on ebay that will do you item no, 150401621610 or just type in double pole mcb.

the C45N tells me your F&S is the same as the merlin gerin item,

so its a type C 10amp rated made to BS 60898 with a max pscc of 6000a and double pole which you will find all modern caravans are now.

CEF are not usualy the best place to go for these as they only employ 16 year olds on there counter.

if you dont want the ebay item try your local branch of newey and eyre or edmundson electrical.

Or I can have a look at work tomorrow see if I have any double pole 10a mcb,s

Or if you look at yours carefully you will see it is just 2 single pole mcbs clipped together with a plastic joining strip across the two switches.

Glenn

 

[lessirrocc]

Thanks Glenn i think i have it sorted now ,Thanks again everyone for your help and advice.