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.
Continuing to play Devil's advocate... I'll argue that when reading 411.3.3 it's BS 7671's definition of a socket-outlet that counts (rather than what another standard chooses to call them). If we've concluded that the 13A outlets in the above picture are socket-outlets, I can't see anything in BS 7671's definitions that would allow us to treat the C13s any differently. They're both seem to fit the definition of "A device, provided with female contacts, which is intended to be installed with the fixed wiring, and intended to receive a plug. ..." equally. The chassis mount outlets don't seem to fit BS 7671's definition of a Cable Coupler or a Connector at all.
Even from a practical point of view of how they're likely to be used - there's nothing about them that really prevent ordinary appliances (or extension leads) being supplied by them - C14 to BS 1363 adaptors are readily available and are in practice often to be found in the sort of environment that houses IT equipment in 19" racks (e.g. https://www.apc.com/shop/uk/en/products/Power-Cord-C14-to-BS1363-UK-0-6m/P-AP9881 - if usually sourced from somewhere with more sensible prices!)
Continuing to play Devil's advocate... I'll argue that when reading 411.3.3 it's BS 7671's definition of a socket-outlet that counts (rather than what another standard chooses to call them). If we've concluded that the 13A outlets in the above picture are socket-outlets, I can't see anything in BS 7671's definitions that would allow us to treat the C13s any differently. They're both seem to fit the definition of "A device, provided with female contacts, which is intended to be installed with the fixed wiring, and intended to receive a plug. ..." equally. The chassis mount outlets don't seem to fit BS 7671's definition of a Cable Coupler or a Connector at all.
Even from a practical point of view of how they're likely to be used - there's nothing about them that really prevent ordinary appliances (or extension leads) being supplied by them - C14 to BS 1363 adaptors are readily available and are in practice often to be found in the sort of environment that houses IT equipment in 19" racks (e.g. https://www.apc.com/shop/uk/en/products/Power-Cord-C14-to-BS1363-UK-0-6m/P-AP9881 - if usually sourced from somewhere with more sensible prices!)
