UK IP 65/IP44

[Neil B]

Main switch room as ingress of dust , the switch room also has many openings to allow the ingress of dust. A recent EICR as coded the Distribution equipment in the room C2 not fit for external influences . One side of the room as an 800A BS 5709 isolator supplying a busbar with 10 BS 5709 isolators supplying various pieces of equipment. Can’t find a decent IP65 MCCB board. Or could holes be sealed in the switch room to minimise the ingress of dust (they should have be done to prevent the spread of fire) and an IP44 MCCB DB used.

 

[westward10]

Do you mean BS5419?
Seal the switchroom. Is this dust from some kind of production?

 

[James]

As we know, dust can get anywhere.
However, it would be unusual to code it c2 for dust penetration unless there is a lot of it possibly from a production process.
A lot more info is needed.

Can the room be sealed off better so there is not a large dust accumulation in there?

 

[Neil B]

James thanks firstly for the response. Yes the switch room can be sealed off better as several swa cables enter from the production area into the switch room . I’ve just started working there then they tell me they need to satisfy All C2 on the report for their insurance. I’ve managed to source IP65 protek DBs and can fit smaller MCCB panels in enclosures for other areas of the site but with the one required in the main switch room would be quite big. So in that area I was wandering if I could Fit an IP44 board and seal the room and even put a maintenance schedule in place to clean it any future ingress after that. In order to eliminate the C2

 

[Neil B]

Even thought about putting some fans in room to make the room under positive pressure to stop any ingress

 

[davesparks]

Why not just seal the room and clean the existing switchgear?

Is there something wrong with the existing switchgear that requires it to be replaced?

 

[Neil B]

Do you mean BS5419?
Seal the switchroom. Is this dust from some kind of production?

Do you mean BS5419?
Seal the switchroom. Is this dust from some kind of production?

Yes BS 5419 must of had a blonde moment when I put the other BS number. The switch room is built adjacent to a production area where swa cables pass through a wall into the switch room . Would you seal all holes first that monitor the switch room for ingress of dust for a few days …. Then if it’s minimum amount of ingress fit an IP44board??

 

[Neil B]

Why not just seal the room and clean the existing switchgear?

Is there something wrong with the existing switchgear that requires it to be replaced?

The existing switchgear is to BS 5419 with some of the switches containing asbestos arc shields, also some of the SWA cables are not correctly glanded of properly. Some have BS 88 fuses others BS3036. Also in the event of a fault all three poles won’t be disconnected.

 

[westward10]

If the room is not sealed then by replacing equipment you are not removing the problem. Remove the problem and that is the dust.

 

[ipf]

What do you mean by 'all 3 poles won't be disconnected'?
Total isolation of a machine is required, where ever, in general locally.
In distribution boards, I've had situations where changing 3036's to 88's removes the asbestos problem. May be different with the switchgear.

 

[davesparks]

What do you mean by 'all 3 poles won't be disconnected'?

The fuses aren't linked so if a fault occurs one one phase only then the other two phases will remain live. Whereas with a circuit breaker all phases will be disconnected.

 

[ipf]

The fuses aren't linked so if a fault occurs one one phase only then the other two phases will remain live. Whereas with a circuit breaker all phases will be disconnected.

Yes, but does that mean 3 phase supplies via fuses are a no no, though?
I still install them.

 

[davesparks]

Yes, but does that mean 3 phase supplies via fuses are a no no, though?
I still install them.

No, not at all.

 

[ipf]

No, not at all.

It's just a point and a suggestion to the OP. More than one way or a bit of thought, etc.

Trying to provoke thinking, basically.

 

[littlespark]

I don’t think management would like an electrical shut down for 2 or 3 days to change the switchgear… plus extra cost in removing the asbestos….

As suggested, remove the external influences.

 

[Julie.]

If you do have to upgrade the switchgear, an alternative solution is to house the whole setup inside an enclosure.

This is pretty commonplace in industrial situations where everything is housed in the one panel.

Obviously each cable will need glanding or similar through the enclosure (just stuffing glands) then finally proper glanding/terminating into each item of switchgear as appropriate.

Depending upon who has access, you can actually use "downgraded" ip kit within this enclosure.

Obviously, only the thing to do if you absolutely need to replace most everything, if it's just a couple of things, just get a higher ip rated unit, or enclose each one individually.

 

[Neil B]

If you do have to upgrade the switchgear, an alternative solution is to house the whole setup inside an enclosure.

This is pretty commonplace in industrial situations where everything is housed in the one panel.

Obviously each cable will need glanding or similar through the enclosure (just stuffing glands) then finally proper glanding/terminating into each item of switchgear as appropriate.

Depending upon who has access, you can actually use "downgraded" ip kit within this enclosure.

Obviously, only the thing to do if you absolutely need to replace most everything, if it's just a couple of things, just get a higher ip rated unit, or enclose each one individually.

A 10Way TPN MCCB Distribution Board is qùite large ….. would be difficult to put in an enclosure….however I have seen the gear tray /pan removed from a distribution board & fitted in a stainless steel enclosure in a food manufacturing process area. Not sure if that complies with BS 7671 though???

 

[davesparks]

A 10Way TPN MCCB Distribution Board is qùite large ….. would be difficult to put in an enclosure….

As long as the enclosure is big enough it will be fine, enclosures are readily available in that kind of size and much larger.

however I have seen the gear tray /pan removed from a distribution board & fitted in a stainless steel enclosure in a food manufacturing process area.

You can buy the pan assemblies separately for building custom units like that, no need to remove it from a standard DB.

Not sure if that complies with BS 7671 though???

Yes it complies as long as it has been built to and certified to the correct standards, which any switchgear manufacturer should be doing.

Custom switchgear like that is pretty standard for medium to large installs.

 

[Neil B]

As long as the enclosure is big enough it will be fine, enclosures are readily available in that kind of size and much larger.


You can buy the pan assemblies separately for building custom units like that, no need to remove it from a standard DB.


Yes it complies as long as it has been built to and certified to the correct standards, which any switchgear manufacturer should be doing.

Custom switchgear like that is pretty standard for medium to large installs.

Thanks for the information much appreciated