No power to the house but only just me

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#2774297 8-Sep-2021 11:28

Would this fit the bill if I were to replace the Main Breaker: https://express.ecsnz.com/en/abb-s200-mcb-2-pole-c-curve-6ka-63a

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fearandloathing

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#2774299 8-Sep-2021 11:39

Just have your electrician supply one.

elpenguino

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#2774302 8-Sep-2021 11:42

sonyxperiageek:

Would this fit the bill if I were to replace the Main Breaker: https://express.ecsnz.com/en/abb-s200-mcb-2-pole-c-curve-6ka-63a

It's that type of thing but the selection should be left to a professional. Unless you can answer this question.

What's the prospective short circuit current at your house?

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Daynger

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#2774472 8-Sep-2021 13:32

sonyxperiageek:

Would this fit the bill if I were to replace the Main Breaker: https://express.ecsnz.com/en/abb-s200-mcb-2-pole-c-curve-6ka-63a

A couple of things, that is a circuit breaker, this is not what you want to use in there.

Also you are not allowed to replace anything in a switchboard, ECP51 covers this explicitly.

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#2774474 8-Sep-2021 13:36

Ok will get an electrician in. Thanks all.

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Bung

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#2774484 8-Sep-2021 13:59

Daynger:
A couple of things, that is a circuit breaker, this is not what you want to use in there.

I'm guilty of calling it a breaker instead it's an "mcb style switch". Unlike our previous house this one doesn't have a main fuse and I'd just assumed a similar switch was its replacement. So it wouldn't have tripped but just had a dodgy contact.

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#2774645 8-Sep-2021 16:43

sonyxperiageek:
Bung: Clutching at straw, are both sides of the main breaker fully up? The bar joining the poles looks as if it is on an angle.

Haha hmmm. I flicked that main breaker up and down and sort of pushed it a little harder, and power is back on now lol 😂 🤦🤦 Thank you!!

The power went out the night before last night too and same thing happened. Flicked the breaker off and on again and power came back on. But last night could not get it to turn back on no matter how many times I flicked it off and on.. guess I just wasn't pushing hard enough??

Does this mean the breaker may need replacing?

Thanks all for your help!!

Sounds like the main switch is past it's best before, get your electrician to replace, send them a picture of what is there so they arrive with a correct replacement.

Don't leave it till next week, get it done ASAP as it may be cooking on the inside, and been the main switch you could easily end up with a switchboard fire.

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#2774647 8-Sep-2021 16:46

sonyxperiageek:

Would this fit the bill if I were to replace the Main Breaker: https://express.ecsnz.com/en/abb-s200-mcb-2-pole-c-curve-6ka-63a

2 things,

#1 it is illegal for anyone other than an electrician to work on a switchboard (no home owner exemption for switchboard work)

#2 what you have linked to is a circuit breaker, you want a 2 pole 63A main switch (din rail/MCB style)

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#2774740 8-Sep-2021 18:03

Thanks @gregmcc. Do you know roughly how much this would cost all up, to replace the main switch?

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gregmcc

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#2774745 8-Sep-2021 18:17

sonyxperiageek:

Thanks @gregmcc. Do you know roughly how much this would cost all up, to replace the main switch?

the replacement part, Schneider is around $50, the GE is around $30 (trade price ex GST), there are other way cheaper brands, but these 2 brands are good.

chuck a 30% mark up, about 1/2hr labour if nothing else is found faulty and then GST on top.

I don't know what your electrician charges an hour, they may have a minimum charge, they may charge for travel, and for the electrical safety certificate.

GE main switch incl mark up $39

1/2 hr labour ($80/hr) $40

GST $11.85

total $90.85

keep in mind this is a ball park figure, they may get a better or worse deal from their supplier, $80/hr is cheap, there may be other charges.

Greg

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#2774753 8-Sep-2021 18:30

It doesn't look like your current main switch is a breaker - it would say C63 or similar, rather than 63A. So it generally *shouldn't* be able to trip, although it could be mislabelled.

If there's no switch or fuse ahead of that switch, then your sparky would have to either change it live or get the pole fuse removed + reinstalled. Definitely not a DIY job.

Can you see what the current power usage (kW) is when you're maxing out the load? If it's below about 13kW it definitely shouldn't be tripping.

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#2774756 8-Sep-2021 18:31

SomeoneSomewhere:

It doesn't look like your current main switch is a breaker - it would say C63 or similar, rather than 63A. So it generally *shouldn't* be able to trip, although it could be mislabelled.

If there's no switch or fuse ahead of that switch, then your sparky would have to either change it live or get the pole fuse removed + reinstalled. Definitely not a DIY job.

Can you see what the current power usage (kW) is when you're maxing out the load? If it's below about 13kW it definitely shouldn't be tripping.

generally (but not always) there is an isolation switch in the meter board

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#2774767 8-Sep-2021 18:49

I can't check current load as i don't have a way of measuring that info. I'd love to be able to patch in an IOT device or similar that could tell me what my current usage is, but haven't found anything yet that does that easily.

Yes, there is an isolation switch in my meter board outside.

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Fred99

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#2774783 8-Sep-2021 19:20

gregmcc:

what your electrician charges an hour, they may have a minimum charge, they may charge for travel, and for the electrical safety certificate.

GE main switch incl mark up $39

1/2 hr labour ($80/hr) $40

GST $11.85

total $90.85

keep in mind this is a ball park figure, they may get a better or worse deal from their supplier, $80/hr is cheap, there may be other charges.

Greg

Did you forget a callout fee? Travel IMO should be separate charge where warranted (out of town), but running a van or ute costs - look at what a taxi or uber charge, a standard callout fee should be charged on small jobs - or you'll go broke or live on 2 minute noodles to survive.

I just got back from being slave to boy sparky, last job he installed one power point - he charged $125 for that and considered it "mates rates". To be fair, it did take two of us 1/2 hour because "old house" issues and what the customer wanted couldn't be done, and it was for a mate.

I doubt he'd bother doing any job for <$100 - probably not even for me. I do know that in another business I have a bit to do with, standard callout is $80, we charge $100/hr or part thereof, callout includes for 5 minutes or so to "have a look", but if we pick up tools, that's $25 (1/4 hour labour) minimum. All plus GST, so $105 & GST = $120.75 is the standard minimum charge. Very few complain.

Some electricians under-charge IMO, especially as a restricted trade.

Do you need to issue a CoC to directly replace a breaker on a board? (I don't know - but I'm not a sparky - just a slave)

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#2774785 8-Sep-2021 19:28

Fred99:

Do you need to issue a CoC to directly replace a breaker on a board? (I don't know - but I'm not a sparky - just a slave)

Replacement is low risk work, no need for a COC, but an ESC is required.

the pricing was indicative only, there should not be a callout fee if done during normal hours, but again I don't know what his electrician charges.

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