Cooker isolators and the 2M rule

[GaryMo]

What purpose is a cooker isolator intended to serve? Mechanical maintenance, emergency switching or functional switching?

Where does the 2M rule originate from? I've personally not seen it in BS7671, the OSG or the EGTTBR (it doesn't mean it's not there, just that I've not seen it). Manufacturers instructions?

I'm not arguing against the need for one as it's something I've always done and kept to within a 2M distance from the cooker.
It's also required for a cooker circuit to be installed without a cooker present.

 

[bigalert]

Not sure about 17th as haven't got it handy, but under 16th 6.5.2 - Cooker circuits

 

[GaryMo]

6.5.2? Which book?

Found it - section 4.4, 16th and 17th ED EGTTBR complete with 2M wording though it's only a recommendation.

 

[Spark123]

Page 154 of the brown OSG

 

[GaryMo]

Page 154 of the brown OSG

Thanks - 16th ED OSG says 'Should be placed within 2M'. Again, this is just guidance as it lacks a reference to a regulation beside the paragraph.
So there's nothing directly contravening Mrs Posh not wanting an isolator on show and feels it's better hidden away in a nearby cupboard?

As I said, I'm not arguing against the use of an isolator, just wondering where it came from.

 

[Spark123]

I think it comes under the "switching off for mechanical maintenance" regs which say something like "suitably located".
You can probably deviate from the 2m guidance providing it is adequately labelled and securable.

 

[GaryMo]

You can probably deviate from the 2m guidance providing it is adequately labelled and securable.

Sounds sensible.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ah - but what if you judge that its purpose is emergency switching?

As for Mrs Posh - she needs to grasp the fact that a kitchen is a place of work.

A kitchen is a place of work..
A kitchen is a place of work...
A kitchen is a place of work....
A kitchen is a place of work.....
A kitchen is a place of work......
A kitchen is a place of work.......
A kitchen is a place of work........
A kitchen is a place of work.........
A kitchen is a place of work..........
A kitchen is a place of work...........
A kitchen is a place of work............

 

[NewOrder]

A kitchen is a place to show of to the nieghbours that you are richer than them. It dosn't matter if there isolation switich is hidden as it will only be the cook that gets killed when it takes too long to isolate the supply not her.

 

[Click-Sure]

I think it is only really possible to avoid this rule where a grid-switch type isolation matrix is provided, where it becomes obvious where every appliance in the room is isolated from a single point.

That said, I've always sited the grid for this kind of arrangement within 2M of the cooker anyway.

 

[GaryMo]

Ah - but what if you judge that its purpose is emergency switching?

Then it's 537.4.2.7 and carry on as normal

 

[securespark]

I often quote the 2m rule, but as I think Ban pointed out in a previous thread, I think the 16th/17th does not actually mention distance. Yes, the OSG & BRG advise 2m, but it is not set in stone.

Just for amusement value, this is the history of the "2m" rule from the 14th onwards:

The 14th says,

A29.

Every stationary cooking appliance shall be controlled by a switch separate from the appliance and installed within 6 feet of the appliance. Where two SCA's are installed in one room, one switch may be used to control the two appliances provided that neither appliance is more than 6 feet from the switch.

The 15th says,

476-20.

Every fixed or stationary household cooking appliance shall be controlled by a switch separate from the appliance and placed within 2m of the appliance. Where two SCA's are installed in one room of household premises, one switch may be used to control both appliances provided that neither appliance is more than 2m from the switch.

The 16th says,

476-03-04

Every fixed or stationary appliance which may give rise to a hazard in normal use and is connected to the supply other than by means of a plug & socket complying with regulation 537-05-04 shall be provided with a means of interrupting the supply on load. The operation of the means of interrupting the supply on load shall be placed so as not to put the operator in danger. This means may be incorporated into the appliance or, if separate from the appliance, shall be in a readily accessible position. Where two or more appliances are installed in the same room, one interrupting means may be used to control all the appliances.

Anyone care to add what the 17th says? I have not got my copy to hand.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

A kitchen is a place to show of to the nieghbours that you are richer than them.

If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work.
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work..
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work...
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work....
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work.....
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work......
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work.......
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work........
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work.........
If you want to do that you can, but you can do so without compromising the functionality of a room which is a place of work..........

 

[NewOrder]

I was being sarcastic

As far as I am concerned a kitchen has a sink a few cuboards that is that, who gives a stuff about what the neighbours think.

 

[NewOrder]

And I bet the 18th edition when that is published will be in Polish

It is amazing how the wording changes though.