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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

  • The black cut-outs I've come across that went pop were generally "overloaded" (apparently their stated 100A rating was only for intermittent loads, they're only good for 60A continuous) - and  mostly ended up with the DNO's fuse blowing. I'm not sure if that was due to localized overheating in addition to the loads, or the plastic between live conductors breaking down to cause a short, but there does seem to be a tendency for them to self-disconnect as it were, if not entirely removing the danger at least making the problem obvious and causing the DNO to be called out post haste.

       - Andy.

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  • The black cut-outs I've come across that went pop were generally "overloaded" (apparently their stated 100A rating was only for intermittent loads, they're only good for 60A continuous) - and  mostly ended up with the DNO's fuse blowing. I'm not sure if that was due to localized overheating in addition to the loads, or the plastic between live conductors breaking down to cause a short, but there does seem to be a tendency for them to self-disconnect as it were, if not entirely removing the danger at least making the problem obvious and causing the DNO to be called out post haste.

       - Andy.

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