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Live Exposed Conductive Parts.

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I have left the hyphens out because the parts that I am referring to are normally live but insulated by a cover. 


I was working in a bungalow today. The consumer unit is situated at high level just below the ceiling in the kitchen. Below the consumer unit is a tall storage cupboard. When I used my steps to turn off an M.C.B. I noticed that the long plastic bus-bar cover that is normally inside the consumer unit was left out on top of the tall storage cupboard. Also a modern energy meter had no cover on it and the four terminal screws were visible. The screws are partly recessed by 2 or 3mm but are still touchable if you put you finger against them. I suspect the solar panel installers are to blame.


So, the owner could be searching for an item stored on top of the tall storage cupboard and get a nasty shock. I suspect that the cover meant to cover the live meter terminals was dropped down the back of the fixed tall storage cupboard.


Bad all round.


Z.
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    kfh:

    Not having a bible to hand I cannot comment on the quotes. But I would consider it unforgivable to leave exposed live parts in a domestic situation. At least a bit of lid from plastic trunking or similar could have been taped across the opening to stop unintentional contact. I also hate exposed busbars in consumer units. I usually put insulation tape over the exposed bits if there is no guard as I am the one at risk when doing live tests. Quite a few of the guards appear to be for cosmetic purposes only as they fall off as soon as you look at them. Rant over for today ? Have a happy Christmas.




    Agreed. I often place an insulated choc block on a bare unused copper busbar finger, screwed on tight,  in case the flimsy plastic blank insert comes adrift.


    Z.

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  • 0

    kfh:

    Not having a bible to hand I cannot comment on the quotes. But I would consider it unforgivable to leave exposed live parts in a domestic situation. At least a bit of lid from plastic trunking or similar could have been taped across the opening to stop unintentional contact. I also hate exposed busbars in consumer units. I usually put insulation tape over the exposed bits if there is no guard as I am the one at risk when doing live tests. Quite a few of the guards appear to be for cosmetic purposes only as they fall off as soon as you look at them. Rant over for today ? Have a happy Christmas.




    Agreed. I often place an insulated choc block on a bare unused copper busbar finger, screwed on tight,  in case the flimsy plastic blank insert comes adrift.


    Z.

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