So what’s the script with these AFFDs?

[MFS Electrical]

been doing some poking about on the 18th and came across something about AFFDs is this gonna be something else that we are going to have to sell to our customers when all they want to do is add a couple of sockets to an existing RFC? Like the inevitable I want 4 new sockets, no problem but as the latest version of the regs requires that all socket outlets are RCD protected, your going to need to add RCDs/RCBOs or do a consumer unit change oh and now it’s gonna cost you more because it’ll need AFFDs too. At which point most people reply f**k sake mate only wanted 4 sockets put in not a complete upgrade then of course dodgy Dave comes in at your back and fits the 4 sockets cause he doesn’t give 2 flying F***s and it works for ever and ever and ever. I’m all for upgrading to higher safety standards etc but customers think your taking the p***s trying to rope them into work they don’t need. Where does the madness end??!!

 

[Pete999]

First we had Ammenment3 where the spec for Domesti CUs was, that they had to be made from non combustable material, stemming from the LFB's reports that indicated that most electrical fires in Housed were the result of conmbustale CUs.
Now we have AFDDs were maybe going to be recommended all from a report from the LFB.
May be it's just me, I don't know, my thoughts regarding Amd 3 was maybe the problem was poor traing in the Domestic arena, has the implementation of AFDDs been a result of poor training? loose connections
poor installation methods by poorly trained opperatives? just thinking aloud, I to would love to see the LFB report.

 

[Midwest]

I've not read anywhere that the drive to use these devices comes from a report via LFB?

Seems to come from 'CENELEC level in Harmonized Documents (HD). Where no CENELEC HD exists, IEC level documents are taken into account. IEC 60364-4-42 Edition 3 and HD 60364-4-42 A1:2015 recommend the use of AFDDs' (Beama guide to AFDD's).

As someone's already mentioned, 'recommended' to be used in the US & Europe.

 

[Wilko]

Well spotted MW, sorry I was being sarky. I don't think there is any UK safety related data to support their introduction. Very Happy to read reports if there are any

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

i wouldnt at all be surprised that due to the amount of noise made about these things that the iet will leave them out of the 18th for now and maybe include them in the first amendment which will no doubt be out within 18 months once they have finished spending the cash from the initial release. It strikes me as being much like the possible requirement to have a rod on pme systems... its just not workable or practical.... time will tell...

 

[Pete999]

I've not read anywhere that the drive to use these devices comes from a report via LFB?

Seems to come from 'CENELEC level in Harmonized Documents (HD). Where no CENELEC HD exists, IEC level documents are taken into account. IEC 60364-4-42 Edition 3 and HD 60364-4-42 A1:2015 recommend the use of AFDDs' (Beama guide to AFDD's).

As someone's already mentioned, 'recommended' to be used in the US & Europe.

Neither have I "Just thinking aloud" my post said

 

[HandySparks]

I'd be interested to know about share ownership of the IET members, and at what point their shares were acquired. Was there a rush on shares when they decided to make RCDs a requirement, but before they told us? I do not believe for one second that, among the thousands of IET members, there aren't a large number who are going to earn more money as a result of foisting needless complexity on us.

Complete boIIocks. Unless you can identify those electrical equipment manufacturers whose share price has suddenly shot up on the announcement of the requirement for more widespread use of RCDs.

The increased use of RCDs has been ongoing for years now. Hardly a surprise.

 

[Phil Thompson]

i wouldnt at all be surprised that due to the amount of noise made about these things that the iet will leave them out of the 18th for now and maybe include them in the first amendment which will no doubt be out within 18 months once they have finished spending the cash from the initial release. It strikes me as being much like the possible requirement to have a rod on pme systems... its just not workable or practical.... time will tell...

The local college lecturer said that’s what they’ve done with the rods, delayed until 18th Amd 1, which he said they had started writing last summer when I was in about taking on an apprentice.

 

[Rpa07]

I don’t think there would be so many complaints if the required books cost £25 or £30 instead of £85 and the update courses were £50 across the board but it seems like everyone is making money except us who are losing money.
I think they also need to look at the poor quality of white goods that are flooding the market. As nothing is made to last anymore the inevitable breakdown could end up with an explosion, a fizzle or a poof, all of which could cause the fire such as Glenfell (coated with poor quality dangerous cladding because someone was on the make) Do you see where I’m going with this?

 

[Rocky1964]

"At which point most people reply f**k sake mate only wanted 4 sockets put in not a complete upgrade then of course dodgy Dave comes in at your back and fits the 4 sockets cause he doesn’t give 2 flying F***s and it works for ever and ever and ever."
Why oh why do I always get the blame for being cheaper?
Love Dave