The holy grail of BS7671 amendment 3 plastic vs metal c/u's

[baldsparkies]

Consumer units compliant with amendment 3 have to pass some kind of glow test to BSEN61439-3

I like many have seen and read information suggesting that all domestic consumer units will shortly need to be installed constructed of steel rather than plastic as a result of this new wonder ruling.

It would appear that this is not the case.
And looks like another red herring that comes to light every time those bored people sitting around a table want to create some extra cash.

Once again its down to us sparks to try and pick the wood from the trees, so I thought this link might help clear some of the only metal clad rumours.

http://www.doepke.co.uk/catalogue/Cat-pdf/conunits.pdf

 

[netblindpaul]

It does.
Even a REC2, await a change to ESQCR, coming shortly...
Watch this space.

 

[trev]

It seems like the penny is finally dropping, trouble is, there is nothing we can do about it.

Yes there is, we're allowed to deviate from 7671 as long as we have provided an equal or greater degree of safety to the installation. So as long as terminals are torqued to the manufacturers instructions then we're in the clear to continue as we are. Written risk assessments to prove that you've considered your options and you're good to go.
I'd like this viewpoint (which was not my idea btw) to be discussed in more depth.

 

[netblindpaul]

Not quite, though it is a good point.
The enclosure is required to contain any fire.
Thus you need to show that the enclosure can do this, that is the intent of the reg.

 

[trev]

Not quite, though it is a good point.
The enclosure is required to contain any fire.
Thus you need to show that the enclosure can do this, that is the intent of the reg.

Ah, but if the risk of the fire is eliminated.....?
What's better, a metal CU with poorly terminated PVC insulated cables in (mainly) plastic MCBs or a plastic CU with properly terminated cables?
To me it's a no brainer mate.

 

[Plonker 3]

The enclosure is required to contain any fire.
Thus you need to show that the enclosure can do this, that is the intent of the reg.

So how will we blank of any unused ways to contain the fire?

Not being pedantic but the blanks will need to be able to contain it too surely?

 

[Englishman]

The eicr coding on existing plastic CU enclosures I certainly interesting once this reg comes into play.

 

[netblindpaul]

So how will we blank of any unused ways to contain the fire?

Not being pedantic but the blanks will need to be able to contain it too surely?

No because the enclosure will contain it.

 

[netblindpaul]

The eicr coding on existing plastic CU enclosures I certainly interesting once this reg comes into play.

C3 will be the code

 

[Plonker 3]

The eicr coding on existing plastic CU enclosures I certainly interesting once this reg comes into play.

why will it?

if the installation complied at the time of install then its a C3.

unless the install now creates a risk of electric shock, like outside skts not RCD protected etc.

 

[netblindpaul]

Ah, but if the risk of the fire is eliminated.....?
What's better, a metal CU with poorly terminated PVC insulated cables in (mainly) plastic MCBs or a plastic CU with properly terminated cables?
To me it's a no brainer mate.

It would, as long as you have the balls to go against the requirment of a fire containing enclosure, and sign to that effect, then you need to hope that if something unforeseen happens,your PII insurer is willing to insure you for a design that is not in compliance with BS7671.
Your PLI insurer will not be interested.

 

[Plonker 3]

No because the enclosure will contain it.

How can it with plastic blanks fitted?

 

[davesparks]

Ah, but if the risk of the fire is eliminated.....?
What's better, a metal CU with poorly terminated PVC insulated cables in (mainly) plastic MCBs or a plastic CU with properly terminated cables?
To me it's a no brainer mate.

The risk of fire is not eliminated, only reduced. There is still the risk from factors beyond our control such as manufacturing defects in the MCBs.

 

[netblindpaul]

How can it with plastic blanks fitted?

Because it will be of totally steel construction.

 

[davesparks]

I would have thought we will now be seeing CUs with steel spring loaded hinged lids to cover the MCBs and blanks etc

 

[Plonker 3]

Because it will be of totally steel construction.

In theory yes, so how do we remove the blanks that will be made of steel?

Grinder, jigsaw?

All we want to do is install a DB that should be installed correctly so as to prevent this happening anyway.