Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 20 replies
  • Subscribers 35 subscribers
  • Views 5326 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Phenolic cutout dangers

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

I'm investigating safety concerns over phenolic cutouts.

The DNOs say it's not a problem but I've heard from electrical experts that the material acts a conductor once degraded and is a fire risk. The manufacturers acknowledge this is an issue.

Does anyone here have experience or concerns surrounding phenolic cutouts? Please share your thoughts and any images you might have here.

Should we replacing them, or waiting until they deteriorate?

Parents

  • Conor,

      Phenolic mouldings on GPO telephones of 1929 vintage  tend to crack and not to like sunlight

    on them. This is the first sign of decomposition.. They will not last forever.

    What are the indications of cut out failure?

    Is decomposition of cables causing deposits that start tracking?

    Damp environment will cause phenolic stuff to fail. Damp will also cause tracking obviously.

    My cut out is possibly 50 years old, dry and ok so far.

    Terence.

Reply

  • Conor,

      Phenolic mouldings on GPO telephones of 1929 vintage  tend to crack and not to like sunlight

    on them. This is the first sign of decomposition.. They will not last forever.

    What are the indications of cut out failure?

    Is decomposition of cables causing deposits that start tracking?

    Damp environment will cause phenolic stuff to fail. Damp will also cause tracking obviously.

    My cut out is possibly 50 years old, dry and ok so far.

    Terence.

Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines