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Electric Shower isolator ?

aligarjon

Hi guys.

I have just done an EICR on a rental. They have relatively recently had a shower installed (brown/blue cable) with no local isolator fitted. The CU is quite old so the mcb's can't be locked off and neither can the up front rcd. Does a C3 sound right or no code just a mention. I have looked at a couple of Mira installation manuals for reference and they state recommended isolation switch rather than requires so as far as i can see not a manufacturers instruction either.

Gary

  • 0 in reply to AMK

    I'm pretty sure that regs- wise it can, and dedicated isolators one per cooker/fan.shower etc are not strictly required, and they could all be the same  set of contacts so long as that main switch is sensibly accessible - however it may be really inconvenient to turn off a large area to perform a small task.

    The regs set a minimum technical  standard, not a best practice  target to aim for.

    An EICR fail really should be able to be cross-referred to BS7671. A lack of local isolation. I  think, would seem to be a design weakness perhaps worth commenting as making switching off unnecessarily disruptive to other users, but not a C3 unless other things are wrong as well because of it.

    Mike

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    Yes, but see note 4.

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    it is difficult to know with a pull-cord or even multi-way wall switches

    It's a (theoretical) problem even with simple 1-way plateswitch installed the right way up. The issue is that BS 7671 now demands proper isolation for mechanical maintenance (which re-lamping is still included in) - and according to table 537.4 ordinary lightswitches (to BS EN 60669-1) don't provide isolation.

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury
    AJJewsbury said:
    I wonder how many have noticed that a normal lightswitch is no longer acceptable for changing a lamp?

    You mean that you check? ;-)

    I am only being slightly tongue in cheek - it is difficult to know with a pull-cord or even multi-way wall switches.

  • 0

    Why are there different sections on an EICR for isolators, switching off for mechanical maintenance and emergency switching?

    Because they're different functions, often need different equipment and are needed in differing situations (you normally don't need an E-stop for a shower). Though I'd admit that the difference between isolation and switching off for mechanical maintenance is very small these days - I wonder how many have noticed that a normal lightswitch is no longer acceptable for changing a lamp?

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AMK

    If the installation of the additional isolators could be omitted it would the beneficial to both the installer and the client, subject to the approval of the IET.

  • 0 in reply to AMK

    The installation of fan isolator, cooker isolator, and shower isolator are standard practice? Is it essential to do so if it is not a compulsory requirement?

  • 0 in reply to AMK

    IHow about simplifying the EICR by asking if there is a main switch for isolation?

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    Why are there different sections on an EICR for isolators, switching off for mechanical maintenance and emergency switching?

  • 0 in reply to AMK

    Says nothing about local. That could be the building main switch or even the whole housing estate....

    I agree that the inconvenience of shutting down a wider area than necessary  vary rapidly makes a dedicated isolator per machine or whatever highly desirable.

    However it is not mandatory, so not having one cannot be an inspection fail, so long as somewhere it can be turned off as needed. And if not in view, then locked off as well.

    Mike.

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