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.
You are becoming even more confused Z. The regulations do not work as you are reading them. Each is read entirely by itself, a heading section is not then applied to eveything below it! You are suggesting that functional switching must apply Isolation, which is not the case! 460 is a description of the scope of the chapter 46 (as it says), the range of things covered in the chapter. It does not mean that 461 for example applies also to 463 Functional switching for control. Read 463.1.2, it basically says the opposite of 462.2! That is the difference between isolation and functional switching.
A "regulation" is numbered chapter number followed by a subsection ie 46 + 2, 462. 462.1,.2,.3 are subsections of a regulation and apply to the case defined in 462, Isolation. It has nothing to do with 463, Functional switching. The two only could come together if you want to use an Isolator for functional switching as well, and then care is required to choose the relevant bits of both, for example that an isolator has sufficient live switching capability and life, which isolators may not!
I hope you can see all this now, because it is fundamental to reading the regulations correctly, and one of the many reasons why faulty certs and particularly EICRs are produced.
A further point is that there is no reason at all why you cannot label things to make the use obvious, if the customer doesn't like it they can remove the label, but usually they do. A case in point is an EICR I did recently. There were two switches with neons above one another in the hall. One was normal immersion heater, the other off peak. The customer had complaineed of high bills, guess why? The labels saved them a couple of hundred pounds a year! See 514.1.1, it is actually a requirment and could be a code 1!
In my view, the regulations should be updated so as to require that all large appliances have an accessible means of control and isolation.
What do we mean by this - what is the intention behind it? It's clearly not for "functional control" since that's included in the appliance, and only needs to be installed "where required". So therefore only "isolation" and "emergency switching off" remain. That needs to be clearly defined in any requirement so a suitable device can be selected according to Section 537.
Once we decide that, we can then look at items 1) to 6) and decide whether each statement is needed.
Regardless:
commercial kitchens and laundries may well have a need for an emergency stop system
OMG. Putting that together with Zoomup's anxiety of kitchen fires, I now have visions of a row of red mushrooms above every kitchen counter. (And another at each doorway.)
OMG. Putting that together with Zoomup's anxiety of kitchen fires, I now have visions of a row of red mushrooms above every kitchen counter. (And another at each doorway.)
That is why I think it's important to keep some perspective here.
BS 7671 covers devices for three "switching" functions (if you ignore protective devices):
Isolation is of course required for maintenance.
Functional switching (if required) is already built into the appliance ... except for power saving (unless that's included as part of the standard).
Emergency switching off is indeed red button (or isolator) on a yellow background.
So, I'm getting the impression reading this thread that people are of the opinion we need some form of "emergency switching" function ("has to be within reach of the user" etc.)
Other than that, isolation for maintenance can be conducted by plug and socket-outlet, or by a circuit protective device if the socket-outlet is behind the appliance (no need for the 16 A plug limit proposed by broadgage above).
And functional switching (for power saving if necessary) may well be better done via switches located near the most frequently used exit of the kitchen into the rest of the property, so that we can check everything is off before we ascend to the land of nod each night, or go out each morning ... alternatively, ask Alexa to do it for you?
I will let others argue as to whether my proposed "readily accessible socket outlet or double pole switch" is for emergency switching or for isolation. That is why I used the wording "means of disconnecting from the electricity supply"
In my view it is unacceptable to rely on a possibly distant consumer unit for this. An ordinary person preparing a meal or doing the laundry should in my view have a readily accessible means of disconnecting the electricity supply to an appliance that is defective or on fire.
I see no need for an emergency stop button, a simple and READILY ACCESSIBLE socket outlet or double pole switch is fine.
I will let others argue as to whether my proposed "readily accessible socket outlet or double pole switch" is for emergency switching or for isolation. That is why I used the wording "means of disconnecting from the electricity supply"
I'm pushing on the intent, because in its current form, the proposed requirement with words "means of disconnecting from the electricity supply" would never fly. We really need to use the correct term, so that an appropriate device can be selected from Table 537.4 - either a device for "on load isolation" or a device for "emergency switching".
In my view it is unacceptable to rely on a possibly distant consumer unit for this. An ordinary person preparing a meal or doing the laundry should in my view have a readily accessible means of disconnecting the electricity supply to an appliance that is defective or on fire.
So, either isolation, or emergency switching, or both ... which one do we want. The ready means of disconnecting in an emergency would be "emergency switching ", though:
Emergency switching. An operation intended to remove, as quickly as possible, danger, which may have occurred unexpectedly.
Just an aside on this ... isn't the recommendation still "get out, stay out, call us out" ?
I see no need for an emergency stop button, a simple and READILY ACCESSIBLE socket outlet or double pole switch is fine.
That would imply isolation, because Reg 537.3.3.3 says that "Plugs and socket-outlets shall not be provided for use as means for emergency switching off."
"Readily accessible" in a modern kitchen can be very tricky, and really needs some further definition also. I don't subscribe to "back of the counter" (either over the appliance or to the side) being any safer (or even more "readily accessible") than a suitably-located socket-outlet in an adjacent cupboard, especially if the homeowner knows where these all are - and when there are large knives etc. out on the work surface ...
Labelling won't improve the situation that I showed above, where a built in oven, a built in hob AND a dish washer all were controlled by the 45 Amp cooker switch. The dish washer had NO INDEPENDANT CONTROL/ funtional switch.
If the dishwasher develops an earth fault it can not be independently isolated, so the oven and hob are no longer useable as the R.C.D. would trip off.
Also, an easily accessible control switch for an appliance that is located under a kitchen worktop is a good idea. It can act as a functional switch and offer the protection of an emergency switch and isolator. 462.2. It needs to be "located adjacent to the associated equipment." 462.3.
Z.
An functional/isolation switch that is "adjacent to the associated equipment" is a good idea. 462.3. Whether it fully meets the exact definition of an "emergency switch" is not important. It will still do the job of isolation or emergency switching if an appliance becomes faulty, dangerous or tries to flood the floor with water. The main thing is that by its position it is pretty obvious what its function is, it is easily used, and it can prevent or remove danger. 460 Scope.
Z.
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