The reg does not require all switches to be metal clad, only those assemblies  of 'switchgear' - which it self is not all switches, but in any case a small subset of that, namely only those performing a similar function to a CU, i.e. be jammed full of final circuit wiring going here there and everywhere,  with common single screw terminal sizes for every cable size from 16mm2 to 1mm2.


Notwithstanding, I thing the amendment was probably driven through as being something to cheer up the London Fire brigade and be cheaper than a recall of all plastic units made without  fire-retardant additives. Actually there are some very good fire retardant plastics, traditional recipes with inert fillers such as glass and clay, and others that are actively fire suppressant that contain chemicals that yield either halons  or CO2 when heated, and really exciting things like polyphosphates  FRX as an example 

Unless the pvc wiring, and pvc trunking and conduit are also changed to fire retardant, there are still plenty of things to burn in an electrical fire.


If, and only if, after say 5 years, we can show that the no of deaths in electrical fires has actually fallen,  can we say with confidence that will it have been worthwhile.

The reg does not require all switches to be metal clad, only those assemblies  of 'switchgear' - which it self is not all switches, but in any case a small subset of that, namely only those performing a similar function to a CU, i.e. be jammed full of final circuit wiring going here there and everywhere,  with common single screw terminal sizes for every cable size from 16mm2 to 1mm2.


Notwithstanding, I thing the amendment was probably driven through as being something to cheer up the London Fire brigade and be cheaper than a recall of all plastic units made without  fire-retardant additives. Actually there are some very good fire retardant plastics, traditional recipes with inert fillers such as glass and clay, and others that are actively fire suppressant that contain chemicals that yield either halons  or CO2 when heated, and really exciting things like polyphosphates  FRX as an example 

Unless the pvc wiring, and pvc trunking and conduit are also changed to fire retardant, there are still plenty of things to burn in an electrical fire.


If, and only if, after say 5 years, we can show that the no of deaths in electrical fires has actually fallen,  can we say with confidence that will it have been worthwhile.