Could it be argued that 463.1.3 requires a separate switch for items like an oven, hob, refrigerator or washing machine etc. where the appliance has no means of external isolation/control except those on itself? Or are functional controls on the appliances adequate and sufficient?
Z.
Agree with Chris in that cooking appliances should have a separate means of isolating the source of supply in an emergency, to take away the source of heat. but that is not functional switching. With domestic gas appliances, this can only practically be done at the gas meter. Each appliance must have a gas isolation valve, but for maintenance rather than for emergency shut off.
Fridges/freezers needing to be switched off for defrosting might be considered functional, if the appliance does not have that facility, some old ones don't, and if the plug is behind the fridge it might be a pain.
I have a customer who has a new build. The builder has left several issues with the control of appliances, especially in the kitchen, with one switch controlling several different appliances etc. I am looking for ammo to defend the customer against the builder. 463.1.3 applies primarily to control of current using equipment not isolation. 463.1.1. may loosely apply but is not specific enough in my opinion to use in this case. Some new fridges are now self de-frosting and need no switching off externally.
Personally I think that all individual appliances should have a convenient but remote isolation switch. Some hobs have touch controls on the horizontal glass top. The controls could not safely be used in the case of a chip pan fire, so a separate wall switch would be essential to turn off the hob.
Z.
I have a customer who has a new build. The builder has left several issues with the control of appliances, especially in the kitchen, with one switch controlling several different appliances etc. I am looking for ammo to defend the customer against the builder. 463.1.3 applies primarily to control of current using equipment not isolation. 463.1.1. may loosely apply but is not specific enough in my opinion to use in this case. Some new fridges are now self de-frosting and need no switching off externally.
Personally I think that all individual appliances should have a convenient but remote isolation switch. Some hobs have touch controls on the horizontal glass top. The controls could not safely be used in the case of a chip pan fire, so a separate wall switch would be essential to turn off the hob.
Z.
I have a customer who has a new build. The builder has left several issues with the control of appliances, especially in the kitchen, with one switch controlling several different appliances etc. I am looking for ammo to defend the customer against the builder.
Unfortunately, I don't think that BS 7671 provides the ammo.
It's a matter of contract. Were there any formal designs, and if so, did the builder follow them? If there were no formal designs, what was agreed between the customer and the builder?
I think that we all know the benefits of local isolation, but if they were not agreed in advance, it is difficult to see what can be done about it.
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