The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Disconnection times - changes?

A 32A circuit fixed supply for a cooker I think used to be 5 secs but I have a PIR in front of me which has it at 0.2 secs. Is this correct? If so, did this value change with the 18th?

For clarity, the supply to the existing old Wylex board which feeds the cooker is a 1 ph submain in imperial twin and earth which looks to be around the imperial equivalent of the modern 10.0mm and origin is TNC-S..

Similarly, the report states that a 1 sec disconnection time is required for one of the 2 lighting circuits, yet the other lighting circuit is entered as being 0.4 sec.

Mind you, the 'inspector' has BS5419 entered for the protective device BS Type, and a Type B at that for the protective devices. They are actually BS3036 rewirables. Who knew that a switch/isolator on its own could provide over current and short circuit protection? You learn something new every day! Actually, the protection for this submain comes from a 63A MEM switch fuse with a BS3036 rewirable fuse.

Have I missed some radical regs change somewhere or is this fiction a mix of inexperience and software autofill on behalf of the 'inspector'?

Parents
  • He is mistaken. 0.4 seconds for most circuits on a TN system. Table 41.1.  Distribution circuits can be up to 5 seconds.

    Final circuits above 32amps could be 5 seconds if they meet the criteria in 411.3.22 and 411.3.2.3

Reply
  • He is mistaken. 0.4 seconds for most circuits on a TN system. Table 41.1.  Distribution circuits can be up to 5 seconds.

    Final circuits above 32amps could be 5 seconds if they meet the criteria in 411.3.22 and 411.3.2.3

Children
  • Agreed. A 32A final circuit should be 0.4s (rather than 5s) on TN. 0.2s would only be for  TT systems, or for a higher voltage band.

    Circuits over 32A (up to 63A) could still be 0.4s if they feed socket outlets (e.g. 45A cooker circuit with a socket in the CCU) - although the 30mA RCD requirement probably makess that a mute point anyway.

       - Andy..