Hi everyone, looking forward to being a part of the forum.

[Binnzie]

I work in building compliance, so had a question I would like answering. On a new development, our contractor has fitted a consumer unit with isolator switch in a flat. The meter tails are hanging down and pose a risk if a child swings on them. Can the tails be covered over? The contractor has said they cannot. Just wondering as they look unsightly also. Thanks for any advice.

Thanks.

 

[littlespark]

Welcome to the forum.

That is how a lot of tails are left, but usually consumer units are hidden away in a cupboard.
Im sure he could have went sideways through the isolator and into the board that way, hiding the tails... or bent them in such a way as to be able to be covered by pvc trunking.

I wonder why an isolator has been fitted, as there will be a mainswitch inside the CU.
(Schneider Easy9 board, i think)

is this at a height where children are likely to reach? If so, then I would certainly think about covering them somehow.

 

[pc1966]

For a moment I was thinking that was the rear of a through-wall box!

At the very least the cables could have been clipped to the wall if they are in a position of risk to children.

No idea why there is a rotary isolator though, the only thing that springs to mind it to make it easier to padlock off without any fancy MCB-style lockout kit.

 

[Binnzie]

Welcome to the forum.

That is how a lot of tails are left, but usually consumer units are hidden away in a cupboard.
Im sure he could have went sideways through the isolator and into the board that way, hiding the tails... or bent them in such a way as to be able to be covered by pvc trunking.

I wonder why an isolator has been fitted, as there will be a mainswitch inside the CU.
(Schneider Easy9 board, i think)

is this at a height where children are likely to reach? If so, then I would certainly think about covering them somehow.

@littlespark thanks. The picture is in a small cupboard of a new temporary accommodation flat. I would definitely prefer them to be completely concealed, so I will put this to the contractor. There are 49 flats in total so I want this put right. The mainboard is in the communal hallway so the isolator switch is there for safety so that when the mainboard is isolated, the switch is a secondary safety measure, just in case someone switches the mainboard back on whilst work is being done in the flat. A child could definitely hang from it. If it's permissible to cover it over, I will ask for this to be done. Thanks again.

 

[Binnzie]

For a moment I was thinking that was the rear of a through-wall box!

At the very least the cables could have been clipped to the wall if they are in a position of risk to children.

No idea why there is a rotary isolator though, the only thing that springs to mind it to make it easier to padlock off without any fancy MCB-style lockout kit.

It's a design build project so that is what the contractor provided for us. I don't like the idea of clipping either as its unsightly. Thanks for your reply.

 

[littlespark]

If it was made tidier, they could easily put a bit of trunking over it.

Only thing is the lid folds down to access the breakers, so the trunking couldn’t be too deep to hinder that.

There is nothing in the regs to say the tails CANNOT be boxed in somehow.

 

[Binnzie]

If it was made tidier, they could easily put a bit of trunking over it.

Only thing is the lid folds down to access the breakers, so the trunking couldn’t be too deep to hinder that.

There is nothing in the regs to say the tails CANNOT be boxed in somehow.

Thanks for that. I'm not happy with it like it is so will insist it is covered. Appreciate your advice.

 

[telectrix]

he should have mounted the isolator above the CU and brought the tails straight into the top of the CU with nothing showing. sloppy workmanship.

 

[Dustydazzler]

You could use the tails to hang your coats on ?