There’s debate about exposed basic insulation in meter cupboards being satisfactory or not? Industry guidance (WRAG) say it’s satisfactory if the door’s in good shape, what’s people views on this ?
There’s debate about exposed basic insulation in meter cupboards being satisfactory or not? Industry guidance (WRAG) say it’s satisfactory if the door’s in good shape, what’s people views on this ?
Anyone has direct access to live parts ("direct contact" in previous versions of BS 7671) at a GLS lampholder (except in the cases that the lampholder is of the "switched live conductors" type ... which is not mandated in BS 7671).
There is no specific requirement for GLS lampholders to be placed "out of reach" in BS 7671 ... although I would note that Regulation 411.3.4 was introduced in 2018 requires RCD protection for lighting circuits in domestic (household) premises.
No-one has ever complained about that direct access to live parts ... not even IP2X or IPXXB with the lamp removed !
the conductors are not "bare" in this case.
Indeed, but that was just another (if more extreme) example of what's permitted by 'key or tool' access.
No-one has ever complained about that direct access to live parts
Oh yes they have! The time, as a youngster, when we had a BC lampholder on a length of flex to feed the Christmas tree lights (which were connected to a BC plug) and I accidentally put my thumb into the end of the lampholder.... you might not have been close enough to hear but there was certainly a "complaint" uttered. I suspect I'm not the only one. Given a choice any accessible BC lampholders I install now are of the type where the exposed contacts are dead when the lamp is removed.
Certainly there are examples (including domestic toasters) where outdated standard persist, but they're treated as exceptions, not the general rules for everything else. We, in general, don't permit exposed basic insulation even if there's a conventional BC lampholder in the same space.
How small must a room be before we consider a lock on the door to provide protection from electric shock?
The concept of "access by key or tool" is a long-standing one in electrical safety standards.
Many words in electrical standards go back a very long way, yet we still find ways of improving on them quite regularly.
- Andy.
Oh yes they have! The time, as a youngster, when we had a BC lampholder on a length of flex to feed the Christmas tree lights (which were connected to a BC plug) and I accidentally put my thumb into the end of the lampholder.... you might not have been close enough to hear but there was certainly a "complaint" uttered. I suspect I'm not the only one. Given a choice any accessible BC lampholders I install now are of the type where the exposed contacts are dead when the lamp is removed.
Certainly there are examples (including domestic toasters) where outdated standard persist, but they're treated as exceptions, not the general rules for everything else. We, in general, don't permit exposed basic insulation even if there's a conventional BC lampholder in the same space
I have told the story on this Forum, involving ... me ... as a toddler < 2 yrs old, removing a BC22 "bulb" from its holder, switching on the table lamp, and putting my finger between the contacts.
what I mean is, that we have the standard for the lampholder, along with ES-style lampholders, and it persists without "sustained objection" (as we say in standards speak).
We are, however, back to the point of "perceived risk"
Interesting subject ... but relevant here, I think ...
We are, however, back to the point of "perceived risk"
Interesting subject ... but relevant here, I think ...
Exactly, and it is for the person installing the single insulated arrangement to assess that risk and to ensure that it is ALARP, irrespective of the semantics of 7671.
If I was assessing the risk, the use of single insulated cables in situations where ordinary folk have access, would fail to meet my ALARP threshold. I think I would be even more careful where the situation being considered was outside and contact with earth more likely.
We are, however, back to the point of "perceived risk"
Interesting subject ... but relevant here, I think ...
Exactly, and it is for the person installing the single insulated arrangement to assess that risk and to ensure that it is ALARP, irrespective of the semantics of 7671.
If I was assessing the risk, the use of single insulated cables in situations where ordinary folk have access, would fail to meet my ALARP threshold. I think I would be even more careful where the situation being considered was outside and contact with earth more likely.
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