Wylex 100A dp isolators in plastic enclosures.

gkenyon:

Alcomax:

421.1.201 is used for consumer units and similar switch gear assemblies [ to consumer units] , these will all, by definition, be EN61439-3. [ this could include "non-consumer units" such as Distribution Boards by virtue of being in a household ].

421.1.6 will cover enclosed electrical equipment not in scope of 421.1.201. "Distribution Board" used in a non-household situation would apply to this reg, however many are also EN61439-3, notionally a DBO [operation by ordinary persons] dependent on use. However, an enclosure NOT manufactured to EN61439-3 but say satisfying EN60695-2-11 [ glow wire test], IP rating for example IP40 EN 60529 and crucially class 2 EN61140 and containing one item of electrical equipment, is of no interest to 421.1.201. Such enclosed equipment is REC 2 switch or 2 or 4 pole enclosed RCD and probably quite a lot of other stuff.


Simply, the opening gambit of 421.1.201 spells it out, these similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with  BS EN 61439-3 .


80 amp KMFs are to another another standard, all insulated and have a switch and a fuse. When 17th AMD 3 first surfaced, mistakenly these were "banned" [ sort of by panicking manufacturers] and even a "AMD 3 compliant" steel one appeared for a while, then thankfully, vanished and sanity restored, as the tried and trusted insulated one is available again.


As AJ said earlier in this thread, the similar switchgear to consumer units is referring to Distribution Boards.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression the AMD 3 reg was specifically for consumer units as those were the items that were catching fire, as reported by LFB?

I understand this intention, and the guidance that's been written, but there are some points to consider:


(i) The particular Reg in question, due to the definition of "consumer unit", has the unwanted effect of encompassing other similar assemblies to be drawn in:

• Calling a consumer unit that's used in an out-building a "Garage unit" in marketing material doesn't stop it being a "consumer unit".

• Similarly, a 2-pole RCD in a box, say for a shower, also comes under the definition.

(ii) The definition of Consumer Unit only covers assemblies with 2-pole isolation on the incoming circuit(s). Therefore, even in dwellings, a 3-phase DBO doesn't come under the Reg, unless you mean that's "similar equipment".


(iii) If we follow the logic of (ii) with a 3-phase DBO being "similar equipment", then it stands to reason that other arrangements not meeting all of the elements of the definition of "consumer unit" could also be classed as "similar equipment" - such as a REC isolator, as this has 2-pole isolation, typically meets many of the other elements of the definition, it just doesn't have a protective device in there.



What's my point?


What looks like a simple requirement is not all that clear when you look into it, and I think the legal industry might have a field day with it if they ever needed to.

 

Perhaps I should have said 3 Phase DBOs converted to single phase for use as a "consumer unit".  What was a Distribution Board, then becomes a "consumer unit ", for purposes of 421.1.201. so long as the main switch operated all live conductors.  I would have thought that any "similar equipment" needs to meet all the elements of the definition of Consumer Unit to be deemed similar to it. So a two pole switch on its own or a two pole RCD on its own,[ in a box ], no.  But I would say the "garage unit" consumer unit in the garage, yes.


 

gkenyon:

Alcomax:

421.1.201 is used for consumer units and similar switch gear assemblies [ to consumer units] , these will all, by definition, be EN61439-3. [ this could include "non-consumer units" such as Distribution Boards by virtue of being in a household ].

421.1.6 will cover enclosed electrical equipment not in scope of 421.1.201. "Distribution Board" used in a non-household situation would apply to this reg, however many are also EN61439-3, notionally a DBO [operation by ordinary persons] dependent on use. However, an enclosure NOT manufactured to EN61439-3 but say satisfying EN60695-2-11 [ glow wire test], IP rating for example IP40 EN 60529 and crucially class 2 EN61140 and containing one item of electrical equipment, is of no interest to 421.1.201. Such enclosed equipment is REC 2 switch or 2 or 4 pole enclosed RCD and probably quite a lot of other stuff.


Simply, the opening gambit of 421.1.201 spells it out, these similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with  BS EN 61439-3 .


80 amp KMFs are to another another standard, all insulated and have a switch and a fuse. When 17th AMD 3 first surfaced, mistakenly these were "banned" [ sort of by panicking manufacturers] and even a "AMD 3 compliant" steel one appeared for a while, then thankfully, vanished and sanity restored, as the tried and trusted insulated one is available again.


As AJ said earlier in this thread, the similar switchgear to consumer units is referring to Distribution Boards.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression the AMD 3 reg was specifically for consumer units as those were the items that were catching fire, as reported by LFB?

I understand this intention, and the guidance that's been written, but there are some points to consider:


(i) The particular Reg in question, due to the definition of "consumer unit", has the unwanted effect of encompassing other similar assemblies to be drawn in:

• Calling a consumer unit that's used in an out-building a "Garage unit" in marketing material doesn't stop it being a "consumer unit".

• Similarly, a 2-pole RCD in a box, say for a shower, also comes under the definition.

(ii) The definition of Consumer Unit only covers assemblies with 2-pole isolation on the incoming circuit(s). Therefore, even in dwellings, a 3-phase DBO doesn't come under the Reg, unless you mean that's "similar equipment".


(iii) If we follow the logic of (ii) with a 3-phase DBO being "similar equipment", then it stands to reason that other arrangements not meeting all of the elements of the definition of "consumer unit" could also be classed as "similar equipment" - such as a REC isolator, as this has 2-pole isolation, typically meets many of the other elements of the definition, it just doesn't have a protective device in there.



What's my point?


What looks like a simple requirement is not all that clear when you look into it, and I think the legal industry might have a field day with it if they ever needed to.

 

Perhaps I should have said 3 Phase DBOs converted to single phase for use as a "consumer unit".  What was a Distribution Board, then becomes a "consumer unit ", for purposes of 421.1.201. so long as the main switch operated all live conductors.  I would have thought that any "similar equipment" needs to meet all the elements of the definition of Consumer Unit to be deemed similar to it. So a two pole switch on its own or a two pole RCD on its own,[ in a box ], no.  But I would say the "garage unit" consumer unit in the garage, yes.