XPost: sci.electronics.repair, uk.rec.audio, uk.tech.broadcast   
   XPost: uk.tech.digital-tv   
   From: david.looser@btinternet.com   
      
   "Woody"  wrote   
   >   
   > The other issue is that continental electricians don't seem to have any   
   > concept of live and neutral. BS4343 outlets are very clearly marked L and   
   > N on both plug or socket but my experience (caravanning, mainly in France)   
   > is that more are reverse wired than correctly wired. Perhaps it is because   
   > (from what I have seen) most Euro MCB's are dual pole and will break both   
   > both conductors under fault conditions (remember most Euro wiring is   
   > radial)   
      
   Not sure I see the relevance of radial circuits to two-pole MCBs. Fusing in   
   the UK used to be two-pole many years ago, but neutral fusing was dropped   
   because it was possible for the neutral fuse only to fail, leaving the   
   circuit inoperative yet still live. Whilst obviously with MCBs it would be   
   possible to return to two-pole isolation I'm not sure that I see the   
   benefit. Nor, presumably, do the committee who write BS7671.   
      
   > so polarity at the point of delivery is largely academic.   
      
   I disagree. In my view polarity at the point of delivery can be important   
   (depending on appliance) regardless of the number of poles in the MCB.   
      
   > I purchased a 10A two-pole MCB (LeGrand) for my caravan in a French DIY   
   > shed for less than a 6A single pole from a UK wholesaler.   
      
   Single-pole MCBs to BS7671 (any current rating) cost around £2-£3, how much   
   less than that was this LeGrand 2-pole job?   
      
   Is there any wonder we have to take more steps in our   
   > protection chain than they do?   
   >   
   What do mean by "more steps" and what has that to do with the price of MCBs?   
      
   David.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
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