This is getting interesting. I have received a response from Surewire (to my second e-mailtoi them , as above) who, as you will see, have sought the opinion of the BSI ....
In response to that, I have just written to thjem again, as follows ...
I will keep you all posted.
Kind Regards, John
Surewire said:Sorry for the delay in answering you but I asked The British Standard Institute (BSI) to clarify this for you.
There response is below.
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Hi Phillip
I have looked over this and it would probably be related to how the wiring regs are read and for which section. Its unfortunately a 500 page document with many different sections.
What I can say is that the scope of 5733 states that is for use on products that have no other specific standard
[image of ‘Scope’ clause of BS 5733 – which does, indeed, say what is stated above]
Your product has a specific standard 60670-22 which is for connection boxes and enclosures.
[image of title page of EN 60670-22, confirming that it is the Standard for “connection boxes and enclosures”]
It seems clear to me that 60670-22 is the applicable standard and not 5733.
For the connectors it is a similar situation that these are approved to their own applicable standard. BS 5733 is the wrong standard for this. These connectors are certified in their own right by a Dutch certification body called Dekra and comply with the relevant standards.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
******
Electrical & Gas Certification Group Manager
BSI
In response to that, I have just written to thjem again, as follows ...
JohnW2 said:Thanks for your reply, and oir having taken the trouble to consult the BSI in relation to this issue.
Whilst what the BSI have said makes sense, the problem is with the IET Wiring Regulations (aka BS 7671), which is co-authored by the BSI. Although your contact at the BSI is correct in saying that BS 7671 contains 500+ pages, I can save him hunting through it all, since the clause of relevance is 526.3(vi), which reads:
"526.3 Every connection shall be accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance, except for the following
(i)... (ii)... (iii)... (iv)... (v)...
(vi) Equipment complying with BS 5733 for a maintenance-free accessory and marked with the symbol (MF) and installed in accordance with the manufacturer';s instructions."
Your contact at the BSI said that the answer to your (and my) question "would probably be related to how the wiring regs [BS 7671] are read", which is a fair comment, but since the BSI are co--authors of BS7671, one would hope that he (the BSI) will have an authoritative view as to how 526.3(vi) of BS 7671 "should be read". On the face of it, that clause requires that, in order to be allowed to be installed in a non-accessible location, it must [as well as bearing the (MF) symbol] be "compliant with BS 5733" (even if you/he feel that to be inappropriate), and most electricians appear to be interpreting this as meaning that it must bear a BS 5733 marking as well as the (MF) symbol.
I imagine that you will want to raise this further issue with the BSI, and I look forward to hearing their view, particularly in relation to the interpretation of 526.3(vi) of BS 7671.
I will keep you all posted.
Kind Regards, John