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?
I assume we are alluding to this.
The MOCOPA guidance says to test for a surface voltage that does not disappear when a current is drawn (so not be fooled by high impedance DMMs), and only in that unlikely event to treat it as dangerous. The warning suggets the risky ones were installed between 1967 and 1992
Given the no of pre- war asbestos insulated unearthed metal cased ones in use, I suspect we should do those before we worry about the modern ones. I do not think this problem is common.
Mike.
I assume we are alluding to this.
The MOCOPA guidance says to test for a surface voltage that does not disappear when a current is drawn (so not be fooled by high impedance DMMs), and only in that unlikely event to treat it as dangerous. The warning suggets the risky ones were installed between 1967 and 1992
Given the no of pre- war asbestos insulated unearthed metal cased ones in use, I suspect we should do those before we worry about the modern ones. I do not think this problem is common.
Mike.
