MEM Memshield 2 RCBO POD
The MEM Memshield 2 rcbo pod was a fantastic device that clipped onto an existing Memshield 2 MCB and basically converted it into a rcbo. The pods are not actually obsolete and are available from Eaton (who bought out MEM) but expect to pay around £70+ VAT at your local wholesaler. Eaton have mentioned discontinuing the item but I don't see that happening any time soon as there is still a lot of old breakers in use and I would imagine they are making good money on the item. Basically they have you over a barrel, unless you know where to get them cheap and that's where we come in 🙂
Not all pods are the same, some have long leads for triple pole boards and some have short leads for use in domestic boards. Also worth mentioning that the pods will fit the Memera 2000 range of MCB's as well but only the part numbers that start ALB or ALC.
Pods on their own as usually referred to as ‘Field Fit' which basically means you have to fit the pod to the mcb on site. Not a hard task but worth taking a look at the instructions of you have not done one before as they can be fragile and easily broken if you're not careful.
You can also buy MCB's pre-fitted with a pod in both the Memshield 2 and Memera 2000 ranges. These are usually just the 30mA size but field fit versions are availble is the following sizes:
MR10 – 10mA
MR30 – 30mA
MR100 – 100mA
MR300 – 300mA
Fitting instruction for pods can be downloaded form our Technical & Catalogue page.
Stock sells out really fast on the MEM Memshield 2 rcbo pod but to see our current range please click here.
Obsolete MEM Circuit Breakers
MEM first started manufacturing circuit breakers in 1965 and were one of the UK's biggest names in circuit protection. Now they go under the trade name of Eaton but still use the MEM name on some products.
Some ranges of MEM are still available to buy new from Eaton but most wholesalers don't stock these products and Eaton have for some reason chosen to charge silly money. Expect to pay around £400 + VAT for a 32A m9 triple pole breaker! That's probably why MEM is our best seller.
We keep in the stock the following ranges of obsolete MEM circuit breakers :
Memera 21 – These are M6 Type 1 MCB's. Usually used in domestic installations.
Memera 2000 – There are several different styles of MCB's in this range but all will fit any Memera 2000 board.
Memera 2000AD – These have a narrow terminal and only fit boards specifically marked Memera 2000AD. They won't fit in older boards.
Memshield 1 – These are a commercial breaker and come in various types (Type 2,3,B,C & D) depending upon the age. Most are M9 rated.
Memshield 2 – These are also a commercial breaker and come in types B,C & D. These also will fit into all Memera 2000 range boards.
As well as keeping a range of MCB's we also stock RCD's, Main Switches and RCBO's.
Obsolete Bill, MEM and Delta Circuit Breakers
Bill Switchgear was probably one the oldest British electrical brands and was especially known for bigger switching devices like triple pole fuse switches and switch fuses and LV panelboards. The company was aquired by Delta in 1973 who also owned another well known brand, MEM.
Delta decided to keep the brands MEM and Bill separate until 1998 when they finally phased out the Bill brand. What most people don't realise is that all the products that were manufactured were identical in both brands. Delta manufactured the products and either labelled them MEM or Bill.
However, just to add a little confusion, some MCB's were discontinued whilst under the MEM brand but due to complaints from customers, specifiers and electrical wholesalers the company had to start manufacturing again. Some of these products are branded Delta and from 2003 some of these products are branded Eaton when they company was bought out yet again.
Confused? Well it gets worse because by the time that Delta/Eaton decided that they needed to manufacturer some of the older products to keep the peace with customers the British Standard BS3871 had changed. Previously all MCB's had been marked with a ‘Type' (either 1,2,3 or 4) but BS3871 had changed so that Type 1 MCB's were no longer used and Types 2,3 & 4 were now Types B,C & D.
So now you have a range of circuit breakers that are either branded MEM,Delta,Bill or Eaton. They may me marked either Type 2,3,4 or Type B,C,D. Some have a printed wrap around label and some have silk screen printing direct on the MCB.
Long and short of it is this. All brands, no matter what Type, colour or creed are interchangeable with each other. So if you are stuck for a Bill MCB, then a MEM, Eaton or Delta will still fit. Likewise if you can't find a particular MEM version then Bill MCB will be a direct replacement.
Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCB's)
Fortunately the situation with Bill and MEM MCCB's is not as confusing. Firstly MCCB's are made to a different standard to MCB's, BS60947-2. Whilst that standard has been updated to allow for new technologies it still remains as the current British Standard.
As with MCB's all MCCB's were manufactured by Delta and either branded MEM or Bill. They are identical apart from the logo and and a slight difference in the part number. You won't find any branded Delta, they never used that branding on any moulded case breakers.
All MCCB's in MEM's Memshield 2 range or Bill's Talisman Plus range are branded as such. Even though Eaton bought out Delta in 2003 they maintained the old branding until they came out with the latest range, Memshield 3. Even though they are using the Memshield brand all breakers are now marked as Eaton.
Still Confused?
If you are still stuck for an obsolete Bill or MEM circuit breaker and this has just confused you even more then please get in touch via our contact page and we will be only too glad to help out.