Metal all the way, no brainer

[andysparkfree]

Hi all, just thought i'dd share the picture of the live distribution board we came across this afternoon following a callout

not only was this live when we got there (seems that the fire brigade removed the wrong fuse from the ryefield board) but is a shocking example why every old distribution board should be changed to metal asap

 

[andysparkfree]

As i would hope that you could lift the flap and turn off the main switch a lot easier
as you can see in the picture, nobody would really want to stick fingers or anything else close

 

[KEV 1 N]

If all terminations within a DB are made correctly and tightened properly, then there is no reason why there should be overheating to cause a fire. The majority of burnt cables I’ve encountered are purely down to the fact they haven been tightened sufficiently. The change to metal DBs (in domestic) to contain fire is akin to putting a bucket under a leaking roof..........fix the roof!
If installed correctly there is nothing wrong with existing plastic DBs.

 

[shaun1]

It's interesting to see that whilst the case and front cover has mostly melted away the important bits (breakers, main switch, cable insulation and even the structure around the busbars) has remained largely intact.

 

[andysparkfree]

just lack of melting plastic in the way of the main switch, or at least i'dd hope

 

[shaun1]

Was the fire close to the board or is that smoke damage?

 

[Andy78]

What a load of cobblers. Parts of your house becoming more dangerous in the event of a house fire, who'd have thought it ?

 

[The_apprentice2.0]

Still neater than the apprentices installs

 

[westward10]

As i would hope that you could lift the flap and turn off the main switch a lot easier
as you can see in the picture, nobody would really want to stick fingers or anything else close

That doesn't isolate the board just the outgoing circuits.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Have only experienced one CU fire, and that was also caused by an external source.
The fumes given off by the plastic enclosure were not nice.

 

[happysteve]

Looks like a Hager board.

I like how the protective devices are straighter here on this picture, after all around had melted, than on a brand new MK or BG board!

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I have litrelly just opened up this lid. The cover is all sorts of melted but had just been put back on amd the N moved terminals.

Im changing a shaver light, just opened it to test.

 

[Rpa07]

That’ll be the factory fitting that the sticker tells us to tighten before commissioning! Obviously the installer didn’t!

I have litrelly just opened up this lid. The cover is all sorts of melted but had just been put back on amd the N moved terminals. View attachment 47937

Im changing a shaver light, just opened it to test.

 

[7029 dave]

fire was nothing to do with the fuse board( however strange nothing tripped) but yep a bit of Cillit Bang and BANG it would be as good as new !

I could tell that by the pic, them finals are in great nick. lol they are.!!

 

[jdinduntocher]

When will people stop saying these boards are unsafe fires are caused by poor workmanship not making sure connections are properly tightened there are thousands of these boards fitted perfectly safe installations done by proper sparks. The London fire service were the main complainants of pvc boards but agreed that bad workmanship was the reasons for the fires. I was called to a house of a friend who had no power and when I investigated I found her 80 year old father had decided to change consumer unit himself this is what sparks are up against.

 

[Rpa07]

Did he use 2mm earth sleeving for the CPCs I do wonder!

When will people stop saying these boards are unsafe fires are caused by poor workmanship not making sure connections are properly tightened there are thousands of these boards fitted perfectly safe installations done by proper sparks. The London fire service were the main complainants of pvc boards but agreed that bad workmanship was the reasons for the fires. I was called to a house of a friend who had no power and when I investigated I found her 80 year old father had decided to change consumer unit himself this is what sparks are up against.