Amendment 3 consumer uits

[eds54]

Hi All
I have just been told that amendment 3 consumer units do not become mandatory until Jan 2016 and apply to new builds. If that is incorrect and I want to add a new circuit to an existing consumer unit what is the procedure for that.

I hope you can help

 

[Plonker 3]

Its not incorrect. Neither do you have to install new circuits in Amd 3 DBs after the 1st of Jan next year.

 

[davesparks]

What does your copy of the regulations have to say on the matter?

 

[rattlehead85]

The regs are NOT retrospective. There seems to be a misinterpretation doing the rounds that all plastic CU's come January are no longer allowed and must be replaced. 'This is total rubbish' A fuseboard installed pre- jan 2016 doesn't become unsafe just because it's plastic. The requirement applies to any new installations designed after Dec 31st this year which require a new C.U or if you have a complete new install. There is nothing saying that you cannot add to an existing C.U installed pre jan 2016. On an EICR a plastic fuseboard will at worst only attribute a C3 recommendation.

 

[eds54]

I know what you are saying and reg 421.1.201 note 2 says implementation 1-1-2016 but its just nice to have it confirmed and after all isn't that what this forum is all about to ask a question your not sure about no matter how simple it may seem.
Cheers

 

[rattlehead85]

I know what you are saying and reg 421.1.201 note 2 says implementation 1-1-2016 but its just nice to have it confirmed and after all isn't that what this forum is all about to ask a question your not sure about no matter how simple it may seem.
Cheers

Indeed [emoji106][emoji106]

 

[rattlehead85]

There is a lot of theories many being incorrect regarding the new non-combustible C.U installs at the mo. Even Wholesalers are dishing out incorrect advice probably to boost their sales figures!!

 

[jase]

It's just like when the 17th came out and there were people condemning 16ed boards. Don't worry, we'll all get used to the new 17th and then they'll bring out the 18th.......

 

[Octopus]

I was told today by a wholesaler (who had been told by the NICEIC) that "even" a 100A isolator must be metal clad from 1st Jan 2016.

I can't be xxxxed to check this!

 

[rattlehead85]

It's basically any enclosure housing electrical switch/control gear.

 

[Octopus]

It's basically any enclosure housing electrical switch/control gear.

So no more plastic light switches then!

 

[rattlehead85]

It's more control gear i think. However, that little baby probably aint to far away!!

 

[grumpyjohn01]

check out the 'amd3 compliant' rcd enclosures in the wylex/crabtree catalogues, clearly not metalclad and IIRC they even justify it with a reg interpretation

 

[rattlehead85]

The whole amd3 change is ridiculously overblown tbh