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 ?
This thread was the first I'd heard of the Wiring Regs Advisory Group, (WRAG) but actually its hosted by electrical safety first, and its comments on inspections and coding situations are online here . So its really a bit of a re-brand...
Its take on the matter is surprisingly clear.
The problem I have is that I'm not sure if I agree that is so black and white. Its really not the same situation as the DNO cables coming in where the cable is in a substantial "wizard hat" or "trouser leg" rubber sleeve that supplements the core insulation where it is broken out of the outer jacket.
Worse the terminals for things like henley blocks are not really suited as the entry tunnels are short and there is no grip on the jacket - its very easy to have a situation where something gets pulled, and exposed basic insulation, suddenly becomes exposed copper... Which I hope we'd all agree was dangerous at least to C2.
Given the no of meter cupboard doors round here that seem not to get shut again, being in working order is not really good enough.
Q2.57 When undertaking a periodic inspection, what classification code should be applied, if any, where the sheath has been removed such that basic insulation of a conductor that forms part of the consumer’s installation, is exposed within an external meter cupboard which can only be opened with a key or a tool?
A meter cupboard which can only be opened with a key or a tool would be classified as an enclosure based on the definition given within BS 7671.
Where all of the following conditions apply:
then no code would be applicable.
If any of the conditions above are not met, then a classification code C2 would be appropriate.
NB where inadequacies in the intake equipment are encountered, the inspector should advise the person ordering the work to inform the appropriate authority.
I agree its not the worst thing to be worrying about, but it seem to be advice that is very lenient on bad practice.
Mike
This thread was the first I'd heard of the Wiring Regs Advisory Group, (WRAG) but actually its hosted by electrical safety first, and its comments on inspections and coding situations are online here . So its really a bit of a re-brand...
Its take on the matter is surprisingly clear.
The problem I have is that I'm not sure if I agree that is so black and white. Its really not the same situation as the DNO cables coming in where the cable is in a substantial "wizard hat" or "trouser leg" rubber sleeve that supplements the core insulation where it is broken out of the outer jacket.
Worse the terminals for things like henley blocks are not really suited as the entry tunnels are short and there is no grip on the jacket - its very easy to have a situation where something gets pulled, and exposed basic insulation, suddenly becomes exposed copper... Which I hope we'd all agree was dangerous at least to C2.
Given the no of meter cupboard doors round here that seem not to get shut again, being in working order is not really good enough.
Q2.57 When undertaking a periodic inspection, what classification code should be applied, if any, where the sheath has been removed such that basic insulation of a conductor that forms part of the consumer’s installation, is exposed within an external meter cupboard which can only be opened with a key or a tool?
A meter cupboard which can only be opened with a key or a tool would be classified as an enclosure based on the definition given within BS 7671.
Where all of the following conditions apply:
then no code would be applicable.
If any of the conditions above are not met, then a classification code C2 would be appropriate.
NB where inadequacies in the intake equipment are encountered, the inspector should advise the person ordering the work to inform the appropriate authority.
I agree its not the worst thing to be worrying about, but it seem to be advice that is very lenient on bad practice.
Mike