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IET, Code of practice, Fuseboards.

UKPN
Because of the nature of my work I am interested in earthing matters and also keep an eye on the IET requirements. Around 3 years ago the IET published or were in the process of publishing a COP for Fuseboards/Consumer units. This coincided with the new rule of steel enclosed equipment. I seem to remember a few guys on here had paid for the book but it kept getting delayed. I wonder if it ever saw the light of day? Or perhaps they were refunded their money? I would be interested to know. Even after all these years we are asked by Electricians what to do and of course the answer has to be, (on a TT system) an upfront plastic enclosure with RCD. We cannot have an unearthed steel box. I am not in possession of the  IET guidance book on earthing/onsite guide because we have our own. 

It seems very strange, it was a major change to go steel, they would have sold many copies, or, being the cynic that I am, think would it have been a problem for them to give an official opinion on protection of the boards? Would really appreciate an answer on this!

Regards, UKPNZap


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    I remember it being advertised, but I don’t think it was ever published. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
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    The CU manufacturers have offered a number of possible solutions over the years - metalclad CUs did exist well before this new requirement for fire resistant enclosures. Often they would produce a 'TT kit' which provided double/reinforced insulation to the incoming tails before the first RCD.


    The TT problem isn't entirely solved just by a plastic enclosure either - since a an internal fault from (pre RCD) line to any protective earth conductor will have the same danger - making the entire installation hazardous live without any means of automatic disconnection. An RCD in a plastic enclosure with no Earthing present is a simple solution to that (but potentially trips up over another regulation...)


       - Andy.
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    There is a 'Guide to Consumer Units' (subtitled 'Examining the requirements of BS 7671 from January 2016, including guidance for the duty-holder, the installer, the homeowner and the landlord') included in the digital package...


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    I have it on my Vital Source Book Shelf in electronic form. An interesting read with photos from the fire service of consumer unit fires? Also photos of experiments on plastic consumer units that demonstrate their combustibility. A read of this will leave you in no doubt about the suitability of plastic consumer units.
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    Thank you guys for your valuable responses. Thanks especially to "dgmeica" for taking the time to find, and post a photo on this forum that the book was actually created. 

    However, I have had a bit of time today and another forum member, mapj1, comments on the old forum words to the effect of, the book was published but never sold. (cancelled) Some posters purchased the book, but never received it, hopefully getting their money back. I have had sight of "special locations" GN today, and "earthing" GN, no info there. on site guide? who knows. As I said before, considering that was of a time of major change in fuseboards, it is quite bizarre it was not continued. J Peckham mentions it is on his digital record, but just revives the wasteland of fires that apparently bought the change into being. We must remember that there are more plastic boards than any in use in UK and likely to be in good service. Terminations tight, maximum demand in order, no reason to change. 

    J Peckham didn't go as far as answering my question, so his digital record probably tells as much as the other  stuff. So that's it, my advice will continue to be an upfront RCD, plastic, in line with the DNOs plastic cut out, suppliers plastic meter and plastic isolator. Skill and judgement wins the day.


    Regards, UKPNZap


    dnoearthingsolutions@btinternet.com
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    UKPN


    I am sorry I did not realise you had asked about metal consumer units and TT earthing systems. Yes this covered in the guide with photos and explanatory diagrams and notes.
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    UKPN:

    So that's it, my advice will continue to be an upfront RCD, plastic, in line with the DNOs plastic cut out, suppliers plastic meter and plastic isolator. Skill and judgement wins the day.


    An interesting perspective, does that mean the cutout actually is rated for backup protection after all? ?


    Not that it really matters ... if the BS 88-3 or BS 1361 were the other side of the meter, it would be acceptable for that purpose.


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    Good that something has been published,
    that thread UKPN mentioned where folk had ordered in 2016

    Oddly at least one listing for that ISDN  are still showing it as cancelled before print

    Presumably no longer true,


    Details: Paperback. 50 pages



    Publication date: 01/09/2016



    Publisher: IET  ISBN: 9781785611803

     





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    Might be because it was only published electronically at the end of the day, so the ISBN for the "print" version is indeed "cancelled before print". The ISBN for the electronic version is different ...

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