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 ?
I agree with all of the above re meter boxes. A lot of the installs on new builds are rough, especially the connection in the meter box. Seems things have been relaxed for the bigger builders because they can't design houses so the CU can back on to the meter box. While if I did something like it, it would be picked up on an inspection.NIC BPG4 used to have exposed inner insulation on the tails as a C3, I notice they have bowed to pressure and removed it now. Also Ive never seen a danger 230v label on the outside of a meter box either if this is the way things are going .
Most fixed wiring lamp holders covered by the regs are out of reach, table lamps etc are appliances anyway so are out of scope as far as we are concerned.
Gary
It worries me that this is satisfactory practice now. I still will not consider it as acceptable.
Although, given the scale of current global issues, this feels like trivial escapism. Personally, I find it underwhelming and poorly executed. It’s low-quality and should be dismissed outright
It appears that SWA cables are being used
Hang on, where does that come from?
Are you suggesting that SWA is being used for consumer's tails?
Are you suggesting that SWA is being used for consumer's tails?
To extend tails from a switch-fuse, REC isolator, or Henley Block in the cabinet to a consumer unit, yes (cue discussion on what some DNOs/IDNOs permit and what others don't when "extending tails" ... and as I pointed out above, whether it's the correct solution in the first place)
I accept an extension from a "REC" isolator or Henley block as tails, but not a switch fuse.
In the case of a switch-fuse, is not the device DB1, and at the other end DB2 (probably the house's CU)?
That was what was installed here circa 1982. The SWA runs under what was originally the kitchen (suspended wooden floors) to the DB. All done properly!
If there were no switch-fuse, the cable would rely upon the DNO's fuse for fault protection. That does not seem quite correct, but if both fuses have the same rating, it is case of heads or tails which blows first. Happily, our fuses have remained intact for at least 29 years.
In the case of a switch-fuse, is not the device DB1, and at the other end DB2 (probably the house's CU)?
But the issue here is whether the switch-fuse ought to be in the meter cupboard. I don't think the product standard for the meter cupboard has considered equipment not belonging to the DNO/meter operator being in there.
We have two identical "meter cupboards" side-by-side, but they could be one (bigger, obviously) cupboard. The DNO does not own the cupboard, so what entitles it to say what may be in there? By contrast, in the garage, the cupboard is the garage with the DNO's tackle and switch-fuse side-by-side. (We have two supplies.)
The DNO does not own the cupboard, so what entitles it to say what may be in there?
The conditions of the supply contract, I would imagine...
- Andy.
We have two identical "meter cupboards" side-by-side, but they could be one (bigger, obviously) cupboard. The DNO does not own the cupboard,
Agreed.
so what entitles it to say what may be in there?
The intended use of the standard for the product. See Regulation 511.2 (my highlight ... specifically, is there a statement on the EIC for this?)
511.2 Where equipment to be used is not covered by a British or Harmonized Standard or is to be used outside the scope of its standard, the designer or other person responsible for specifying the installation shall confirm that the equipment provides at least the same degree of safety as that afforded by compliance with BS 7671. Such use shall be recorded on the appropriate electrical certification specified in Part 6.
NOTE: An assessment of compliance with BS 7671 in respect of the degree of safety afforded would be expected to consider all the same criteria as in Note 1 to Regulation 511.1. This also applies to private specifications not containing the same criteria as in Note 1 to Regulation 511.1.
By contrast, in the garage, the cupboard is the garage with the DNO's tackle and switch-fuse side-by-side. (We have two supplies.)
Agreed, but that is not in an enclosure the purpose of which is addressed by the standard to which the enclosure is manufactured.
The DNO does not own the cupboard, so what entitles it to say what may be in there?
The conditions of the supply contract, I would imagine...
- Andy.
That too, standards aside.
We have two identical "meter cupboards" side-by-side, but they could be one (bigger, obviously) cupboard. The DNO does not own the cupboard,
Agreed.
so what entitles it to say what may be in there?
The intended use of the standard for the product. See Regulation 511.2 (my highlight ... specifically, is there a statement on the EIC for this?)
511.2 Where equipment to be used is not covered by a British or Harmonized Standard or is to be used outside the scope of its standard, the designer or other person responsible for specifying the installation shall confirm that the equipment provides at least the same degree of safety as that afforded by compliance with BS 7671. Such use shall be recorded on the appropriate electrical certification specified in Part 6.
NOTE: An assessment of compliance with BS 7671 in respect of the degree of safety afforded would be expected to consider all the same criteria as in Note 1 to Regulation 511.1. This also applies to private specifications not containing the same criteria as in Note 1 to Regulation 511.1.
By contrast, in the garage, the cupboard is the garage with the DNO's tackle and switch-fuse side-by-side. (We have two supplies.)
Agreed, but that is not in an enclosure the purpose of which is addressed by the standard to which the enclosure is manufactured.
The DNO does not own the cupboard, so what entitles it to say what may be in there?
The conditions of the supply contract, I would imagine...
- Andy.
That too, standards aside.
We're about to take you to the IET registration website. Don't worry though, you'll be sent straight back to the community after completing the registration.
Continue to the IET registration site
