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IP2X inside enclosures

wallywombat
Generally these days everything live(*) inside an enclosure like a CU (accessible only with a tool yada yada) seems to be IP2X - e.g. recessed terminal screws on MCBs, busbar covers, etc.


Is there anything in BS 7671 which enforces this? Or product standards like BS EN 61439? Or is it just down to good practice by the manufacturers?


(*), well, line anyway.
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  • 0
     A long time ago many fuseboxes were interlocked with the switch lever and cover, and even some CUs. This idea has faded out, I have no idea whether it made a proper difference to accidents, probably not.


    The old grey coloured M.E.M. switch fuses/isolators had the need to turn off the main switch to enable the cover to be removed otherwise the cover was locked in place. 


    Many control panels in industry had a main switch that had to be turned off before a door could be opened to gain access to live parts. Unfortunately this was a pain to maintenance electricians when fault finding. So the main switch was cunningly turned on with the panel door open, and the safety design was defeated.  


    I once showed some students a bus bar chamber. We carefully removed the steel cover to see inside. It was interesting. The system was live. The act was foolish. I would not do it now. P.S. We all survived.


    Z.


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  • 0
     A long time ago many fuseboxes were interlocked with the switch lever and cover, and even some CUs. This idea has faded out, I have no idea whether it made a proper difference to accidents, probably not.


    The old grey coloured M.E.M. switch fuses/isolators had the need to turn off the main switch to enable the cover to be removed otherwise the cover was locked in place. 


    Many control panels in industry had a main switch that had to be turned off before a door could be opened to gain access to live parts. Unfortunately this was a pain to maintenance electricians when fault finding. So the main switch was cunningly turned on with the panel door open, and the safety design was defeated.  


    I once showed some students a bus bar chamber. We carefully removed the steel cover to see inside. It was interesting. The system was live. The act was foolish. I would not do it now. P.S. We all survived.


    Z.


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