What brand of circuit breakers?

**Andrew_van_Zyl** · 03-Jul-22, 10:25 AM

Morning all,
Putting together pricing on a domestic DB upgrade.

Prices vary hugely e.g. a Mini rail CBI MCB 1 Pole and Neutral, 50A 4.5kA is over R400 at Chamberlains/Leroy Merlin/ Builders etc. A LS (don't know the brand) at Voltex, 63A, 1P & N 6kA is R91.60.

As far as I can see their properties are the same in terms of trip time etc.

I'm new in the industry and want to give my customers the very best (and not have comebacks) - what brand is your "go to" brand for MCB's, ELU's and CB's?

**Isetech** · 03-Jul-22, 10:55 AM

Firstly you need to decide on the mount, I wouldnt even consider anything other than a din mount DB.

If looking for cheap cheap, any populated DB purchased from the local wholesaler will do the job, Be it Chint, Onesto or even like Swan. They all the same quality. You get what you pay.

If you just want to throw away money, then CBI would be a high priced circuit breaker with good local support. A ELU will cost more than twice the price of a fully populated cheapie DB. It just makes no sense because the breaker are an odd size and a standard din mount MCB will not fit without a bunch of adaptors and blanks etc. In many cases it would be cheaper to replace the whole board than 1 ELU.

If I come across any old or even new heinemann clip mount type DB's I replace the entire board with a din mount DB, they use to dominate the SA market, not anymore.

If you want quality MCB's, then you need to look at ABB, some of my customers will not accept anything other than ABB.

Installing a new DB for most is just a box off the shelf cut a bunch holes and mount it or plaster it into the wall.

In reality there is a lot more to a DB than a box and a couple MCB's

**Andrew_van_Zyl** · 03-Jul-22, 11:53 AM

Thanks Isetech
I've only ever worked on Mini and DIN mounts. In this specific case the DB is Mini and is in good condition.
Agree with you on CBI - pricing seems crazy.

Thanks for the ABB recommendation

**Thys LOW Elektries** · 04-Jul-22, 05:47 PM

Always been a Schneider fan for Din Rail breakers
Not sure why but getting Schneider breakers at the moment is like a day without load shedding, impossible!

Maybe time to switch to another supplier?

Greetings

**Isetech** · 04-Jul-22, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Thys LOW Elektries

Always been a Schneider fan for Din Rail breakers
Not sure why but getting Schneider breakers at the moment is like a day without load shedding, impossible!

Maybe time to switch to another supplier?

Greetings

Schneider have some awesome products, but at the end of the day it all boils down to support, something they are certainly lacking in SA.

**Isetech** · 04-Jul-22, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew_van_Zyl

Thanks Isetech
I've only ever worked on Mini and DIN mounts. In this specific case the DB is Mini and is in good condition.
Agree with you on CBI - pricing seems crazy.

Thanks for the ABB recommendation

There is a schenker brand which has basically copied CBI, they sell the the product for half the price of CBI but still too expensive when compared to Chint, Onesto, swan and all the other cheapie brands.

I install a lot of CBI ASC's, they have a surround so you can either fit the unit on a din or Heinemann clip tray.

I am looking for din DB blanks, like the old CBI one which clips onto the rail, I cant find one anywhere, so I am thinking about designing and 3D printing a few which allow you to leave the busbar the full length, so you dont have to cut the busbar. It it takes off I will make a mould and start mass producing them.

It must clip onto the din rail with the busbar, if I need to add an MCB, you just unclip it and fit an MCB. IT I am smart I will make it fit an LED, or a couple LED's with a battery backup. IF the power goes off the led will switch on and you will be able to see the DB in the dark

**AndyD** · 13-Jul-22, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Isetech

I am looking for din DB blanks, like the old CBI one which clips onto the rail, I cant find one anywhere, so I am thinking about designing and 3D printing a few which allow you to leave the busbar the full length, so you dont have to cut the busbar. It it takes off I will make a mould and start mass producing them.

It must clip onto the din rail with the busbar, if I need to add an MCB, you just unclip it and fit an MCB. .........

ACDC Dynamics part number SP-EBD1M https://www.acdc.co.za/products/1-mo...nt=30483796364 They're about R5.40 List price but you should get a substantial discount with a trade account.
***Edit They've got about 28 thousand in stock countrywide.