I have a Client that will not provide a Risk Assessment to omit an RCD Commando Socket for a Data Cabinet. He wishes to employ a local isolator for the Cabinet, however he is concerned that the PDU Strip that arrived on site from the factory and pre-fitted within the data cabinet would still need an RCD. It is my opinion that the Factory built Data Rack is classed as a piece of equipment and as such does not form part of the Contractor's installation. If the Rack had arrived on site without the PDU strip fitted and it was installed by the Contractor then this would form part of the installation and therefore would require an RCD. Any advice/assistance would be appreciated.
Gentlemen, I think we have drifted from my initial query. My question was about the internal power strip (generally 13amp) which arrives pre-fitted within the Data Rack. Is this classed as Equipment or is it part of the fixed wiring? The Client through his advisers consider it to be part of the fixed wiring and therefore should have RCD protection as they are unwilling to complete a risk assessment. Their initial thought was to fit an isolator above the rack negating the need for RCD protection and negating the need for them to produce a risk assessment, however they have now been advised that the power strip inside the cabinet requires an RCD or Risk assessment. Feedback from other bodies like Select advise that the power strip is not part of the fixed wiring and it does not come under the EICR therefore an RCD is not needed if you use an isolator rather than an external Commando socket, however if the Contractor fits the power strip after delivery of the rack it becomes part of the fixed wiring. I would appreciate comments on this point.
Gentlemen, I think we have drifted from my initial query. My question was about the internal power strip (generally 13amp) which arrives pre-fitted within the Data Rack. Is this classed as Equipment or is it part of the fixed wiring? The Client through his advisers consider it to be part of the fixed wiring and therefore should have RCD protection as they are unwilling to complete a risk assessment. Their initial thought was to fit an isolator above the rack negating the need for RCD protection and negating the need for them to produce a risk assessment, however they have now been advised that the power strip inside the cabinet requires an RCD or Risk assessment. Feedback from other bodies like Select advise that the power strip is not part of the fixed wiring and it does not come under the EICR therefore an RCD is not needed if you use an isolator rather than an external Commando socket, however if the Contractor fits the power strip after delivery of the rack it becomes part of the fixed wiring. I would appreciate comments on this point.
