Local isolation of DB's

[JimmyDaWolf]

Can anybody tell me off hand that whilst doing a EICR, DB's without a local point of isolation fail? And under what regulation? Is it a C1 C2 C3?

 

[Pete999]

What, the DB has no Isolator, or you can't Isolate the entire DB, sorry need to be sure the problem

 

[JimmyDaWolf]

It is supplied off another board elsewhere in the same premises. The old style cartridge fuse board where each phase is bolted onto its busbar. Although I know its not ideal to have boards fed of boards it does happen. I personally didnt think it warranted a fail. I dont see it being dangerous. Id look into in monday but I just thought id post on here while were having an after work debate. Lol

 

[Pete999]

Well it's dangerous if you can't isolate it, isn't it? or more to the point a danger to anyone wishing to work on it, for whatever reason, how would you isolate if there was a fire or a dodgy circuit, I would mark it down as a priority if I was you.

 

[JimmyDaWolf]

This is the discussion we were having. If anyone would be working on it, it should be dead and isolated anyway. And doesnt the test and inspection prove that it is safe and fit for its intended purpoes. Correctly selected and erected?

 

[Lou7]

Don't think it is a fail.

 

[Richard Burns]

Presumably it can be isolated at the remote DB?
If this is the case then the remote DB just needs to capable of being locked off, I would also tend to put a label on the local DB stating the point of isolation (but this is personal preference).

If the DB cannot be isolated at all then this would be a contravention in section 53 somewhere, but it would not give rise to danger or be dangerous in the case of a fault, it would only mean that working on it would require the removal of the supply fuse!

 

[Octopus]

Still not sure I understand the question..... Are you saying that there are a number of sub DB's supplied from a DB which isn't labelled??

 

[JimmyDaWolf]

Thanks richard. This is how I see it. There is no present risk of danger. There is no possibility of danger. It is just a recomendation due to the fact that future maintenance would involve turning of multiple DB's. It can be isolated from another board. Either by locking of that breaker or removing the fuses. When we do a periodic we take alot of time during the inspection identifying circuits at each point and even to the point of labelling up sockets and switches. I have a colleague who only thinks of the overtime instead of the big picture. I dont like to rip people off unnecessarily.

 

[JimmyDaWolf]

Still not sure I understand the question..... Are you saying that there are a number of sub DB's supplied from a DB which isn't labelled??

It is a block of offices. Its just been added to over the years. Its not that big yet there are 25 boards. One office has 3 points of isolation on its overal sockets. I.e 2 from one board 4 from another. Board have been supplied from other boards. We would label them all up anyway.