I always thought the isobar was a dead clever design, but everything about this is just just pure genius, the plug on neutral, the neutral bar and the way the attachments connect to the isolated busbar peg, and even the fact that their blanks allow you to park a conductor for maximum ease of adding a breaker for a provisional circuit at a later date. The company I work for at the moment for the most part fit Hager for everything, and I really like Hager stuff but this makes their distribution boards look awful 😂

@cprfenom

3 жыл бұрын

I also find that the boards are a little flimsy compared to Schneider and Eaton

@_______DR_______

3 жыл бұрын

Chris Reed Yeah, not a massive fan of the squeeze to fit incomer shield, the main switch never lines up nicely 😂

@georgerobertson3344

3 жыл бұрын

Fitting a 12 way P board tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Finally ! Ingenious concept! now they need to invent a 3phase RCD that doesn't take up 7 poles on the switch board

@marksmith6259

2 жыл бұрын

Or just a rcd with current protection?

Have used Merlin gerin /Schneider boards for commercial and industrial installs for 30 years ,by far the safest and best quality product out there 👍

@blow0me

2 жыл бұрын

strangely square D are banned in some countries ? They're not the worst out there

It's not even the time saving I like. It's the neatness and cleverness of this. Always liked the isobar especially on big jobs you can put all your circuits away and still stay safely isolated

All these manufactures making massive changes to products lately. It's like Christmas everyday for the Electrician. Nice to see Schneider upping their game. Thanks for the Demo lads. Stay Safe.

Fitted one recently in a factory and I was very impressed with the pon connections. Learnt something new just now with with the neutral bar too late for that board but will get one for the next board I need to install.

struggled for ages, until this video, trying to understand how the add ons and neutrals could be used on the isobar system. Thanks.

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Seeing is believing - it does feel a bit odd to strap a big bit of copper between a phase and neutral!

Brilliant idea I can just see all of the Instagram pictures of boards being very different 🤣🤣 the cost will come down. Great video guys 🤙🤙

everyone forgets the lemon on top of the isobar this is the correct tool for switching the isobar tabs using your screwdriver like Gary did can damage the plastic tab causing it to become detached from the sliding switch part. Don`t ask how I know this ( it wasn`t me promise)

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Great tip 👍

Very informative guys. Only thing with Schneider gear is the unbelievable cost compared to other brands. I remember when it was merlin Gerin and you had those Y tabs to put into the bus bar . They have certainly moved on from there .

Genius and such a simple concept.

Brilliant boards, use them as much as i can

Really like those acti9 boards and the new RCBO’s are a definite time saver for electricians. Brilliant stuff from Schneider

They make sum cracking kit, love Schneider stuff

The single phase RCBOs are great, 3phase, not so much.... so many poles for one circuit! Here in Aus, we are starting to get three pole RCBOs with a neutral fly lead. Obviosuly it doesn't isolate the neutral, but thats not somthing we really worry about over here.

Looks a good bit of kit

Very smart . Like it 👍👍

Amazing!

Late to the game here - Fitted one of these in a hospital, love the plug in neutral. My big gripe is the position of the earth bar on these, with all cables coming bottom entry its easy to forget just how much length you need on this type of board for your earth connections, compared to previous generations and eaton models with vertical earth connections lower down the DB. Personally I'd much prefer just an earth connection directly opposite the module position on the outside of the DB, so that (with plug on neutrals) all terminations are within 6 inches of each other! Final comment - why do you need the distributed neutral bar when you have 3x plug on neutral terminals available?!? I'd take a triple pole, longer module with three plug on neutral connections over the mess that is the 3 phase RCD modules, although the arrangement shown might just be to keep backwards compatibility with older boards, and thats not something I'd like to discourage!

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Some great feedback - Thanks Andy 👍

I do like the Acti9 boards but I hate the 4 Pole RCBO's. Thankfully we always manage to avoid 4pole rcd protection as the cost/increase in required DB size often prohibits being able to install them. Will stick to Eaton for the mainstay for now though.

I always looked at domestic CUs, thinking what a design mess. Look inside one that has been wired up! ♦ DP RCBOs only need to be _plug in,_ like the old plug-in fuses, with _no_ terminals on them. Reducing cost and size. ♦ A row of fixed L, N & E _push-fit_ terminals simple and quick. ♦ Then a circuit cable can be brought in the top or bottom of the CU to each RCBO point. ♦ L & N & E bus bars built-in behind, nice and safe, out of sight, out of touch. ♦ Just run in L, N & E meter tail cables from the meter to the push-fit terminals of the mainswitch - the three cables being next to each other, so no heavy L, N & E cables snaking around inside the CU. Nice and neat. What could be easier? What could be so obvious and simple? Yet look at the cludged up mess served up.

What abit of kit this will be a game changer for the industry

Great vid, It would be interesting to compare it to the ABB Smissline setup.

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Hmmm Smissline looks very interesting - thanks for the heads up

what I like is it can be configured for use on single phase quickly.

Very nice video.

These have been out in the market for best part of 2 years.

I am surprised that there aren't more boards there that include this for consumer units as well. We see the plug in neutrals here in the USA as well. Leviton has gone a step a step further in that both line and load and neutral are all on the back plane, the breakers just plug into complete the circuit, as all wiring is completed in the board and could be wired in rough in phase (1st fix in UK).

Have you spotted the little yellow tool at the top which is for sliding the tabs! 😬👌

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

👀

@Fifury161

3 жыл бұрын

1:25 - just above your finger!

The 3 phase RCD/Vigi module was used on the older Merlin boards hence why the neutral fly lead is that long, my biggest gripe with it though was the fly lead was often not long enough to reach the neutral bar meaning it required extentending, unlike MEM they didn't produce a longer version

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Great info - thanks 🙏

Brilliant

Required required required. For the love of humanity torque settings is not a requirement, if it was it would be included in BS7671 . it’s the manufacturers recommendation it’s not even a legal requirement. I not saying don’t use a torque screwdriver to torque up the connection’s , i’am saying dispense with the word required. That DB dose look like a nice bit of kit to install. And getting rid of the the stupid neutral and earth fly Leeds is a fantastic idea. Fantastic video guy’s as always .👍👍👍❤️

@aaronmdjones

Жыл бұрын

It is in BS7671. Regulation 134.1.1 contains "The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of the manufacturer's instructions", instructions which in this case state that all connections must be tightened to the prescribed torque. If you do not, you are deviating from these instructions, and thus deviating from 134.1.1. Furthermore, Regulation 134.1.4 specifies "Every electrical joint and connection shall be of proper construction as regards conductance, insulation, mechanical strength, and protection", and you cannot guarantee that it satisfies the mechanical strength criteria if you do not tighten them correctly, using a tool that positively confirms that you have done so.

Can you tell me how best to use 1-pole circuit breakers or 1p+n or in what situations one is used and when the other is used you can also make a video on this topic but in accordance with the regulations

How good is it for testing ? If you switch the rcbo off for IR test , does it disconnect the functional earth?

I’m using and really like the acti9 isobar system but their prices are scaaaaaary

a great product have used it on site but i when re-configure boards i have come into trouble when fitting the RCBO's that i am losing another 3 ways in the board especially when it is a full board and you change a machine power supply to a socket outlet. whilst you can put the RCBO's on the shop floor at the outlet i have had trouble in wet environments and repeated opening of outlets causing a loss of the IP rating. it would be great if schneider could do a 3 phase 4 pole RCBO that takes up just 4 ways similar to the single phase versions as this would greatly increase the flexibility of the boards in a constantly changing industrial environment. great work as always guys especially on the industrial side i have found it hard before to find good impartial reviews and technology updates before i found you guys

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lewis - someone useful suggestions for Schneider to take on board.

@TheManLab7

2 жыл бұрын

@@efixx was that pun intended?

I use the idqk load centres a lot. Doesn't seem to be an rcbo for them that is 3 phase.

Its a good idea, but in a work environment Ive never found it that much quicker to install and the boards themselves are quite flimsy especially when bolting on big incomers and expansion boxes. Mem shield 3 is still the best for build quality in my opinion.

@tomorichard

2 жыл бұрын

100% my feelings also. Don’t see the fuss with Schneider. The boards are awful horrible layout. Eaton are bomb proof and look 100x better

Great video, can you convert an Acti 9 board to a Acti 9 P Board

Can’t believe the size required for a 3 phase rcbo. The Eaton 3phase rcbo only takes up 1 extra way for the neutral (4ways total)

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Note - the one we installed had a 4 pole MCB - 3ph+N - The Eaton RCBO only goes to 32A - the Vigi in the video can support 63A

I wish this system was available in Australia..

Do the Acti 9 boards come with the Neutral bar and link accessories etc supplied? I haven't used Schneider or done 3 phase for a long time, it was Merlin Gerin back then.

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

The plug in neutral is the Isobar P - and the distributed neutral kit can fitted as an option to regular isobar or P versions

Can you install an SPD and OVR as well? Thanks!

will they work on the type A boards that have the rcbos in vertical position.

I wonder why the modules in 3PH-DBs in the UK are arranged vertically? In my opinion this takes up more space than actually required. Wouldn't it be easier to use a 3/4-pole busbar instead? And how do you fit additional modules like contactors, timers etc.?

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting point on the busbars and arrangements. - on this board we’ve specified an add in module for contractors etc - which are set horizontally 🙃

@tristans5945

3 жыл бұрын

Something like this (3 pole RCD + 4x AFDD): www.elektrikerwissen.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Hager_Phasenschienen_2-750x450.jpg And yes, the next one is something you fit in a single family home, plenty of space for any modules: www.zaehlerschrank24.de/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/b406a9cdc224c57c443df60b8bd9edbe/1/e/1ehz_1.jpg Btw. I'd like to see that cont *r* actor module fitted to the DB ;)

@enemyofthestatewearein7945

2 жыл бұрын

Vertical boards can fit many more circuits in the same horizontal space, which allows for multiple boards to be placed side by side. So it's better for a large commercial install with multiple boards. Plus you can then run trunking across the top and bottom of multiple boards for all the incomer and outgoers.

Merlin Gerin/ schneider have always had the best three phase boards, except schneiders single phase db way to big for an upgrade in a domestic property

Still waiting on a board with fixed wire L+N terminals on the board itself, and full plug in double pole MCB's/RCBO's with no wire terminations at the MCB module. Meaning MCB's etc can be changed or worked on without touching the wiring at all.

Its funny, its like those american distribution boards just actually thought out and giving me a sense of safety. Like the american distribution board isn't a bad idea its just badly executed (in my opinion). But this is very lovely. Like I would be "scared" of working with american distribution boards but this seems very nice.

118 118 Got Your Number !

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

Very good 😂

I do like to use Schneider bits, but they aren't the most practical board's out there. Hagar's definitely better as it's a LOT more practical and they're cheaper.

Right guys what's with the moustaches 's 🤔😂

i find it funny usa have been using this forever

Installation time down by 50% but material cost up by 50%😃

When I first used those boards I thought it was a really good idea, that was when they were Merlin. For years now I have thought why has no one ever made a board that has a plug in neutral to get away with those messy leads, and there were have it, about time to. Also a 3 phase rcbo, I don't think I have ever seen one of those, some nice design features.

@acelectricalsecurity

3 жыл бұрын

@Defectiveresistor true, as always the simple ideas are the best, don't know why anyone else didn't do it, probably didn't want to put the investment in

@zoltrix7779

2 жыл бұрын

@N P How does the neutral connect?

About 75 quid for a single phase rcbo...

@adamjones3249

3 жыл бұрын

That's always been the problem with their stuff, just not competitive. MEM for 3 phase all the way

Check out a company called SBS trade, they are offering bespoke consumer units to order and they have a double pole miniature RCBO with no fly leads fed by a double pole busbar

@zoltrix7779

2 жыл бұрын

Is this still new hat in the UK? Have a look at Clipsal ResiMax or the new ResiMax 9 that is part of the Activ 9 Range.

@heladas90

2 жыл бұрын

@@zoltrix7779 there is an equivalent commercial rcbo by schneider over here that is similar to this but when it comes to domestic there is nothing like what you and I have mentioned.

Inb4 u

Far too many ways used for a 3phase RCBO. MEM shield3 only use 1 additional way

In 20 years time will we have even more obsolete kit from Schneider. Everytime he see anything saying Schneider or square D I think here we go again.

Are Schneider owned by another company?

This range has been out for at least a couple of years now its not new

Err hello Speed EII Gordon......

All fun, till u see that these new RCBOS are £90 each....ouch ouch.. £4320 to fill that board with RCBOS..

@efixx

3 жыл бұрын

www.rselectricalsupplies.co.uk/schneider-electric_schneider-acti9-ic60h-pon-rcbos.htm - think it depends on where you buy.

Ill never buy anythinng from efix

@efixx

2 ай бұрын

Correct 👍 - that’s because we don’t sell anything