new changes to fuse board material type

[snowhead]

but in a warehouse it would need to be metal.

Not if it was high level or out of harms way taking into account local work practices.
Or in a cupboard
or behind a barrier rail
Or,.

 

[mrloy99]

There are no changes in force currently for domestic CU's

currently being the magic word Mr M.
Plastic domestic CU's banned from next Jan{unless enclosed in a fireproof box}for new installations
I wonder will the wholesalers be selling them off cheap

 

[ian.settle1]

currently being the magic word Mr M.
Plastic domestic CU's banned from next Jan{unless enclosed in a fireproof box}for new installations
I wonder will the wholesalers be selling them off cheap

Thought it said non combustable material?

 

[Pete999]

So will the new changes to regulation about no plactic consummer units also apply to commercial?

ive seen quite a few recent installs in commercial propertys were the electrician has installed new plastic consummer units.

The Amendment 3 doesn't CUs can't be plastic "not readily combustible " is the wording I think without digging out all the paperwork

 

[Deleted member 38070]

its a real pain metal consumer in a domestic situation :-( who makes this stuff up... its numpty connections that give the problems, why dont they address that....

 

[Octopus]

its a real pain metal consumer in a domestic situation :-( who makes this stuff up... its numpty connections that give the problems, why dont they address that....

and the poor quality of the parts...

 

[baldsparkies]

The Amendment 3 doesn't CUs can't be plastic "not readily combustible " is the wording I think without digging out all the paperwork

They don't combust, they melt.
Its everything around them that catches fire.:biggrin:

 

[Anthony S]

GN3 new book arrived today £27.00 all in.

Inspection Checklist:

Switchgear

(C) Switchgear assemblies, including consumer units, are complete with, or additionally housed in, fire protecting enclosures (421.1.201)

Under Periodic

Suitability of enclosure for IP and fire ratings with reg numbers including (421.1.201)

 

[astonb]

Hi All, I'm new here so please tell me if I'm doing anything wrong!

I have been looking into the metal CU regs and NIC guidance etc, but to no avail - in the case of a TT installation, should we be installing the main RCD in a double insulated enclosure still?
Regs state it needs to be or the unprotected tails installed to avoid any issues.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Aston

 

[Engineer54]

For the life of me, i don't understand this thing about domestic TT and metal CU's... What's the problem with insulated and sheathed tails passing through a grommeted hole in a metal enclosure?? Something has to go drastically wrong for the live conductors to come into contact with the metal opening, or indeed within the enclosure.

 

[frontier219]

For the life of me, i don't understand this thing about domestic TT and metal CU's... What's the problem with insulated and sheathed tails passing through a grommeted hole in a metal enclosure?? Something has to go drastically wrong for the live conductors to come into contact with the metal opening, or indeed within the enclosure.

Agreed, double insulated tails and grommet strip should be fine. In the past I have gone into a metal DB with tails through a 32mm stuffing gland. Will probably do that again if this comes up. Granted, that wasn't on a TT system but the basic principle is the same, you don't want live parts touching the enclosure.

 

[ian.settle1]

1. For the life of me, i don't understand this thing about domestic TT and metal CU's... What's the problem with insulated and sheathed tails passing through a grommeted hole in a metal enclosure?? Something has to go drastically wrong for the live conductors to come into contact with the metal opening, or indeed within the enclosure.

Lack of proper training perhaps

 

[astonb]

Perhaps before you start having a go i should state why I am asking the question - we have had our nic annual inspection a few weeks ago.
The inspector is new to us as our old one for over 15 years has now retired. I took him to a small TT installation in a weather station with a metal clad DB, 30mA rcd mainswitch and serving a light, socket and a small heater, within a GRP enclosure.
I agree completly with the prevoous comments that as long as the tails are suitably installed using normal good practice the risk is minimal and not much different to a tn system. However he stated that it must be a double insulated enclosure, therefore i asked the question whats expected when ammendment 3 comes into effect. Unsurprisingly he backed away and avoided the question! Thats why I came here to see what other people in the trades opinions are.

 

[Engineer54]

Another reason why you should always take what these NICEIC inspectors say, as well as it's help line with a pinch of salt and NOT take it all as gospel!! If you don't agree with something they come out with question it, and if they can't give you a definitive or reasonable answer, tell them so....

 

[Pete999]

Perhaps before you start having a go i should state why I am asking the question - we have had our nic annual inspection a few weeks ago.
The inspector is new to us as our old one for over 15 years has now retired. I took him to a small TT installation in a weather station with a metal clad DB, 30mA rcd mainswitch and serving a light, socket and a small heater, within a GRP enclosure.
I agree completly with the prevoous comments that as long as the tails are suitably installed using normal good practice the risk is minimal and not much different to a tn system. However he stated that it must be a double insulated enclosure, therefore i asked the question whats expected when ammendment 3 comes into effect. Unsurprisingly he backed away and avoided the question! Thats why I came here to see what other people in the trades opinions are.

I have to ask this question, but remember I don't do a great deal now and have been cosseted in a govt job for a long time, so the question is, what constitutes a double insulated enclosure? might seen a daft question for someone who has been around as long as I have, but, all the same would like to know the answer please