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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

  • Did you check to see if the red iron spreader box is earthed ? I reckon the odds are at best 50/50 ;-)

    Does it need to be? With the basic insulation on the cores plus a cm or two of hot poured pitch between live conductors and the box, it may well meet today's requirements for double/reinforced insulation.

        - Andy.

  • in reply to AJJewsbury

    Well that 'double insulation' may well be true and certainly would have been solid  at the time of pouring, - but it would be a brave person who was sure that nothing has warmed up and moved in the tar in a hundred odd years. Knowing that something would operate the ADS at the substation if it did touch the cable to the case would be kind of reassuring - though any protective bond there would  need to be rated not for the 100A of the fuse we can see but for the 800A or 400A one out in the street that we cannot see,.


    Mike.

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  • in reply to AJJewsbury

    Well that 'double insulation' may well be true and certainly would have been solid  at the time of pouring, - but it would be a brave person who was sure that nothing has warmed up and moved in the tar in a hundred odd years. Knowing that something would operate the ADS at the substation if it did touch the cable to the case would be kind of reassuring - though any protective bond there would  need to be rated not for the 100A of the fuse we can see but for the 800A or 400A one out in the street that we cannot see,.


    Mike.

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