17Th Edition Consumer Unit Labels In Math Using other people’s research or ideas without giving them due credit is plagiarism. Fears of a hacking campaign targeting centrist French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron came to fruition in a last minute information dump Friday evening. £24.50 code PL1492408. Consumer Unit. • Fitted with 2P. 100A isolators. • 8 Free spaces. • Supplied with labels, blanking plates and clips. • Multiple knockouts. • IEC60439-3, EN60439-3. • Dimensions (HxWxD):- 230x250x120mm. £18.30 code PL1066808. Consumer Unit - 2.

The third amendment to BS 7671:2011 (IET Wiring Regulations Seventeenth Edition), which was published in January and comes into effect on 1 July, will include a new regulation requiring consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies in domestic premises to have a non-combustible enclosure. The wording of the regulation is as follows: 421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall: (i) have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or (ii) be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

NOTE 1: Ferrous metal, e.g. Steel, is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material. NOTE 2: The implementation date for this regulation is the 1st January 2016, but does not preclude compliance with the regulation prior to that date. British Standard BS EN 61439-3, mentioned in the regulation, is entitled Distribution boards intended to be operated by ordinary persons (DBO). Implementation date As stated in Note 2 to the new regulation, the implementation date for the regulation is 1 January 2016. This is six months later than the effective date of Amendment 3 as a whole.

The purpose of the delay in implementation is to allow a period of co-existence of both metal- and plastic-enclosed consumer units and to allow time for manufacturers to work existing and new products through their supply chains. Nevertheless, as is also indicated in Note 2, the delayed implementation does not preclude compliance with the regulation prior to 1 January 2016. Reason for the new regulation Regulation 421.1.201 was introduced because of reports from fire investigators of a recent trend of increasing numbers of fires involving consumer units having a moulded thermoplastic enclosure. See Figures 1, 2 and 3. The cause of the fires investigated was almost invariably found to be resistance heating as a result of poor electrical connections due to poor workmanship or lack of maintenance. There is no published definition for the term ‘non combustible’ that aligns with the intent of Regulation 421.1.201.

However, as stated in Note 1 to the regulation, ferrous metal, such as steel, is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material. Steel will no doubt be the material usually employed in the manufacture of the enclosure or cabinet.

Nevertheless, it will be open to manufacturers to offer enclosures or cabinets made from other types of material that they claim to be non combustible within the intent of Regulation 421.1.201. In this case, however, the manufacturer would have to provide suitable evidence to support the claim of non combustibility, and it is not presently clear what criteria would be used to judge the non combustibility of a material other than non-ferrous metal. The non-combustible enclosure or cabinet must provide a complete envelope (for example, base, cover, door and any components such as hinges, screws and catches) as necessary to maintain fire containment. All blanks, circuit-breakers and other devices must be contained within the non combustible enclosure or cabinet. Figure 5 shows an example. Figure 5 – Example of non-combustible enclosure for consumer unit. Image reprinted with kind permission from Hager Where the option of installing a plastic-cased consumer unit inside a non-combustible cabinet or enclosure is chosen, the non-combustible enclosure or cabinet must be arranged to afford adequate space for the initial installation and later replacement of individual items of electrical equipment.

The non-combustible enclosure or cabinet must also allow access for operation, inspection, testing, fault detection, maintenance and repair, as required by Regulation 132.12. Sealing of wiring entries It is important for the installer to seal all openings into the enclosure or cabinet for cables, conduits, trunking or ducting that remain after the installation of cables - see Figure 6. The intent of the sealing is to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, any fire is contained within the enclosure or cabinet and the escape of flames to the surroundings of the cabinet or enclosure or into conduits trunking or ducting is minimised, as intended by Regulation 421.1.201. Good workmanship and proper materials must be used, and account must be taken of the manufacturer’s relevant instructions, if any.

Figure 6 – Sealing of wiring entries (a). Similar switchgear assemblies The phrase ‘similar switchgear assemblies’ in Regulation 421.1.201 means those assemblies used for the same fundamental application as a consumer unit. A consumer unit is defined in Part 2 of BS 7671: ‘ Consumer unit (may also be known as a consumer control unit or electricity control unit). A particular type of distribution board comprising a type-tested co-ordinated assembly for the control and distribution of electrical energy, principally in domestic premises, incorporating manual means of double-pole isolation on the incoming circuit(s) and an assembly of one or more fuses, circuit-breakers, residual current operated devices or signalling and other devices proven during the type-test of the assembly as suitable for such use.’ An example of a similar switchgear assembly is a three phase distribution board that is intended to be operated by ordinary persons.

This would have to have isolation that interrupts the three incoming line conductors and the neutral, rather than just double-pole isolation as mentioned in the above definition. Consumer units in outbuildings or on the outside of a building Regulation 421.1.201 uses the term ‘premises’. The question could therefore arise: do the requirements of the regulation apply to a consumer unit or similar switchgear assembly within an outbuilding such as a garages or shed, or mounted on the outside or a building? Some dictionary definitions of ‘premises’ are ‘a house or building, together with its land and outbuildings’ and ‘the land and buildings owned by someone’. However, Regulation 421.1.201 was principally introduced to cover the interior of a household building and any garage or other outbuildings integral, attached, or in close proximity to that building. Doubt could exist about whether or not a particular outbuilding could reasonably be considered to be in ‘close proximity’ to the household building.

A way of resolving this might be to make a judgement of the likelihood that fire originating inside the enclosure of a consumer unit or similar switchgear in the outbuilding might lead to the outbreak of fire in the household building or in any outbuilding integral or attached to it. Relevant factors to consider about such an outbuilding might include whether or not that building or its expected contents are highly combustible. Regulation 421.1.201 is not intended to apply to a consumer unit or similar switchgear assembly that is not within a building, such as a consumer unit mounted outdoors on the outside of a building. Residential premises such as care homes The regulation is not intended to apply to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies in residential care homes or other premises not intended for household use. The concerns leading to the Regulation 421.1.201 being introduced related specifically to domestic premises, which are not covered by fire safety legislation in the way that premises such as care homes are. Telugu Serial Actress Archana Hot Photos.

The regulation therefore uses the term ‘domestic (household) premises’. Wiring Matters interviewed, about the fire-related changes made by Amendment 3.

Over the next year the electrical industry faces changes to the status-quo. It has already started with the introduction of BS 7671: 2008(2015) - Amendment 3 to the 17th Edition of the IET wiring regulations - on 1st January 2015 and will continue through to 2016.

It is important that installers and contractors understand what the amendment is and how it will affect them. Why the change?

BEAMA, the independent expert knowledge base and forum for the electrotechnical industry for the UK and across Europe, has said that the primary root-cause of fires in consumer units is loose connections. Additionally, the London Fire Brigade has found that fires involving consumer units have increased to approximately five incidents each week. It’s clear that a change needs to be made to protect consumers from potential harm. The London Fire Brigade LFB has been working with Electrical Safety First, BEAMA and other industry organisations to make edits to Amendment 3 requirements that will directly improve personal safety and quell the risk of residential fires.

What it Means? To address this issue Amendment 3 will provide a degree of enhanced fire risk protection, requiring switchgear assemblies – including consumer units - to have their enclosures made from a suitable non-combustible material, or be installed in a cabinet or enclosure comprised from a suitable non-combustible material, for example steel. Running Scared 1986 Ost Rare. This is all covered within Chapter 42 with the addition of Regulation 421.1.201. MK Electric will be making the mandatory changes to their consumer units, using metal enclosures, which will be available at the end of March.

This new range will be available alongside their MK Sentry insulated consumer unit portfolio. Enhanced fire safety is also referenced in the new Regulation 521.201, which outlines the requirements for wiring systems which are above escape routes, to be supported by fire-resistant fastenings and fixings. All cabling must be supported such that it cannot prematurely collapse when exposed to extreme heat. Once again there is a hint towards the use of metallic materials, although this is not prescribed. Amendment 3 also puts more responsibility on the installer. Chapter 41 examines the use of RCD protection on socket outlets.

The regulation now requires RCD protection in accordance with regulation 415.1 for socket outlets up to 20A and for mobile equipment with a current rating not exceeding 32A for outdoor use, for all installations. However there is an exception, for socket outlets up to 20A, where the socket outlet is specifically labelled, or where a documented risk assessment determines that RCD protection is not necessary. Chapter 61 makes a new reference to ‘Skilled person (electrically)’ which has the added condition of the person being competent in inspection, testing and certification work. It also notes that supplies up to 100 amps have a new, more detailed schedule of inspections. Additionally, for installations greater than 100amps, a model list of items that require inspection during initial verification is provided in Appendix 6.

This list, along with a documented risk assessment of any permitted exceptions to the list must be appended to the Electrical Installation Certificate and the declaration signed. Dates to Know Over the next year and into 2016 there will be key dates that both manufacturers and installers need to keep in mind to comply with the updated regulation. • 1st January 2015: BS7671:2008+A3 was published. Installations designed after this date may comply and be certified to these new standards or be designed and certified to BS7671:2008+A2 (for a maximum transitional period of 6 months) • 1st July 2015: BS7671:2008+A2 Installations designed after this date must comply fully with BS7671:2008+A3 • 1st January 2016: Regulation 421.1.201 comes into full effect (this doesn’t preclude conformity beforehand) MK Electric is Ready​ MK Electric will shortly be announcing details of its new metal consumer unit range for compliance to regulation 421.1.201. The range will be available from the end of March. Additionally, MK Electric is offering electric installers and contractors the opportunity to take part in Continuing Professional Development Accreditation for Training to better understand the regulation. More specifically the session will address how the regulation affects installers, specific changes to be aware of and information they will need to counsel their clientele.

Training sessions are available from February. For more information or to schedule please contact Amy Westwood at Amy.Westwood@Honeywell.com. Jan 05, 2015 In recent months the London Fire Brigade have reported an increase in domestic fires involving consumer units. This was not due to defective products but as a result of arcing on cables where tightening of terminals has not been sufficient, resulting in overheating of the terminals which eventually ignited the plastic enclosures.