EICR coding for lack of local isolation of kitchen appliances

I have been asked by a friend to provide a second opinion on EICR coding for kitchen appliances connected to sockets that can only be accessed by moving the appliance, in this case the appliances are free standing and it's in rented accommodation, not HMO.

It certainly contravenes current regulation 537.3.2.

Electrician that completed the EICR is coding it as a C2 and want's to install suitable isolators with associated costs and disruption. To my mind it's a C3 as it's a bit inconvenient but the appliances can still be isolated by turning a circuit breaker of at the CU. Alternatively everything is RCD  protected, moving a free standing appliance without isolation isn't that risky.

I then started to look for documentation  and articles to provide guidance on the sittuation without much luck. Plenty describing why it's required and how to achieve it.

How would others code this, are there any articles you are aware of on the subject. When was the requirement introduced?

Appreciate any input you have. 

Parents
  • If you isolate the entire installation at the consumer, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit, turn off a switch and unplug the appliance you can still be electrocuted working within the appliance. 

    https://www.walb.com/story/19823265/update-deadly-microwave-was-not-plugged-in/

    Neither unplugging an appliance or using double pole switch to isolate it is a guarantee of safety when undertaking mechanical or electrical repairs within an appliance, in fact not even isolating the entire circuit or installation is.

    I know that doesn’t answer the original question, I fitted double pole switches over the worktop for the washing machine and dishwasher in my own kitchen, but the freestanding fridge freezer just has a plug and socket behind it, however it has an on/off switch inside it as part of the temperature control.

  • I remember hearing of many an engineer getting a belt of a CRT TV or monitor back in the day

  • Indeed - the charge is stored for ages - many hours on the CRT - the glass serves as a low value but very high voltage capacitor, and if the cathode heaters are off there is no bleed path for something like 20kV- until you touch  it...
    I can certainly confirm (from personal experience) it packs a significant punch....

    Mike

Reply
  • Indeed - the charge is stored for ages - many hours on the CRT - the glass serves as a low value but very high voltage capacitor, and if the cathode heaters are off there is no bleed path for something like 20kV- until you touch  it...
    I can certainly confirm (from personal experience) it packs a significant punch....

    Mike

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