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Plastic switch fuse, why not metal?
Or is this not recent?
its not particularly recent, But if I was to do the job today I probably wouldn't change it for metal and would record it as a departure on the EIC.
Discuss Mains box to Consumer unit SWA or tails? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
Plastic switch fuse, why not metal?
Or is this not recent?
Why not metal ? You could gland straight into itits not particularly recent, But if I was to do the job today I probably wouldn't change it for metal and would record it as a departure on the EIC.
Why not metal ? You could gland straight into it
Also explain how it's a departure and not a non compliance?
It's not a consumer unit but I'd put it as a similar switch gear assembly
To depart is to install or use something that is no less safe than full compliance with bs 7671 so if bs7671 calls for non combustible enclosure on a consumer unit or similar switch gear assemblies and you don't adhere to the regulations then it's a non compliance to me and not a departureA departure is a non compliance, if it complied then it wouldn't be a departure.
At the time there was no suitable metal option.
Now I am still not aware of a suitable metal option, bearing in mind it is in a meter box so steel is not suitable because it will rust.
The KMF is made of a Bakelite type plastic which to the best of my knowledge is not readily combustible in the way that the soft plastic used for CUs is.
It is located outside of the building and presents no greater risk than the other plastic equipment installed in there (meter, cutout, Henley block)
Personally I feel the KMF is the wrong choice for the job in the above pics due to it having to be installed upside down as the load side is at the top..I would of opted for something different or done the job differently if nothing else would fit in the cab.
If you decide to record a departure then the level of safety should not be less than obtained by compliance with the Regulations. It can be difficult to prove such things. DSs explanation in #24 does have validity that the enclosure is more likely to char than ignite but whether its level of safety is less could be debated. The only thing I would comment on if I undertook an EICR is that it is upside downWhy not metal ? You could gland straight into it
Also explain how it's a departure and not a non compliance?
It's not a consumer unit but I'd put it as a similar switch gear assembly
To depart is to install or use something that is no less safe than full compliance with bs 7671 so if bs7671 calls for non combustible enclosure on a consumer unit or similar switch gear assemblies and you don't adhere to the regulations then it's a non compliance to me.
TouchéYes well as the designer I deem this departure to be no less safe than compliance with that particular regulation.
If you decide to record a departure then the level of safety should not be less than obtained by compliance with the Regulations. It can be difficult to prove such things. DSs explanation in #24 does have validity that the enclosure is more likely to char than ignite but whether its level of safety is less could be debated. The only thing I would comment on if I undertook an EICR is that it is upside down
Touché
It's a fair point.Thinking about it further I wonder if GRP is non combustible? If so then it could be argued that it does comply.
As I said in #27 it is likely to char and not propagate any flame. These materials can have differing make up some of which do have fire resistant properties.Thinking about it further I wonder if GRP is non combustible? If so then it could be argued that it does comply.
As I said in #27 it is likely to char and not propagate any flame. These materials can have differing make up some of which do have fire resistant properties.
Reply to Mains box to Consumer unit SWA or tails? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
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