Mixed manufacturer devices in din rail enclosure.What code?

Legh Richardson:


The manufacterers state you can't mix different companies components together in the same enclosure although You might not be able to avoid this when using SPDs and AFDDs with MCBs etc

 

Well, BS 7671 says you can use components from different manufacturers, BUT you become responsible for the if the use of a particular component deviates from the original assembly manufacturer's instructions (Note 2 to Regulation 536.4.203).


Whilst there is no legal precedent that I'm aware of, the legislation for the relevant Directives does really lead you to that conclusion.


In this particular case, a DIN rail is only a mounting standard, not a standard that invites you to make whatever modifications you like to the assembly that includes it.


Where does this leave the empty "adaptable enclosure" with a DIN rail? Well, when you assemble a variety of products from different manufacturers into that kind of empty enclosure (and I'm not talking about a consumer unit here, where you're assembling in accordance with manufacturer's instructions), you become the assembly manufacturer. The assembly itself is not covered by BS 7671, see Regulation 113.1 (second sentence). So, if you're buying DIN rail products, if you want to avoid being an "assembly manufacturer", use the enclosure from the relevant range of products from the DIN rail product manufacturer, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Legh Richardson:


The manufacterers state you can't mix different companies components together in the same enclosure although You might not be able to avoid this when using SPDs and AFDDs with MCBs etc

 

Well, BS 7671 says you can use components from different manufacturers, BUT you become responsible for the if the use of a particular component deviates from the original assembly manufacturer's instructions (Note 2 to Regulation 536.4.203).


Whilst there is no legal precedent that I'm aware of, the legislation for the relevant Directives does really lead you to that conclusion.


In this particular case, a DIN rail is only a mounting standard, not a standard that invites you to make whatever modifications you like to the assembly that includes it.


Where does this leave the empty "adaptable enclosure" with a DIN rail? Well, when you assemble a variety of products from different manufacturers into that kind of empty enclosure (and I'm not talking about a consumer unit here, where you're assembling in accordance with manufacturer's instructions), you become the assembly manufacturer. The assembly itself is not covered by BS 7671, see Regulation 113.1 (second sentence). So, if you're buying DIN rail products, if you want to avoid being an "assembly manufacturer", use the enclosure from the relevant range of products from the DIN rail product manufacturer, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.