The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 4291 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Underfloor Bus Bar Systems

Bob Cowie
The Definition in the Regulations for a Socket states " A Device, provided with Female Contacts, which is intended to be installed with the fixed wiring, and intended to receive a plug. A Luminaire track system is not regarded as a socket-outlet system"

From the above it would be my understanding that the Tap-Offs on an underfloor Bus Bar system are considered to be sockets. The exclusion of Luminaire track systems also appears to support this viewpoint as it infers that power Underfloor Bus Bar should be classed as sockets.
Parents
  • 0
    From a practical perspective, the thing about a socket outlet is that any unskilled person can plug in any old piece of junk (e.g. lawnmower with frayed flex), which the designer has no control over. So you want the socket RCD protected. For fixed equipment, the designer has more control: they get to choose what's wired into the FCU, and how well the flex is protected etc.


    So, if cleaning staff are turning up and plugging random industrial-sized portable cleaning equipment into your bus bar, you might want RCD protection. On the other hand if only a small selection of skilled staff are authorised / have access to the bus bar, and they know when to include an RCD with the equipment, then the bus bar shouldn't need RCD protection.


    Whether BS 7671 agrees with that is of course a separate matter.
Reply
  • 0
    From a practical perspective, the thing about a socket outlet is that any unskilled person can plug in any old piece of junk (e.g. lawnmower with frayed flex), which the designer has no control over. So you want the socket RCD protected. For fixed equipment, the designer has more control: they get to choose what's wired into the FCU, and how well the flex is protected etc.


    So, if cleaning staff are turning up and plugging random industrial-sized portable cleaning equipment into your bus bar, you might want RCD protection. On the other hand if only a small selection of skilled staff are authorised / have access to the bus bar, and they know when to include an RCD with the equipment, then the bus bar shouldn't need RCD protection.


    Whether BS 7671 agrees with that is of course a separate matter.
Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines