Holes at side of CU

[Shropshire]

Same EICR as last post.

The CU has been marked as C2 due to a few holes that are larger than the regs. The holes are on the left side of the CU. The left side of the board isn't easy accessed and it would be very difficult to get fingers in anyway!

Can I put something (conduit?) in front of where they are to prevent access or do they need to be fully sealed? If so is intumescent silicon ok? I don't want to change the board.

Thanks

​

 

[jj4091]

Just preventing access would suffice, but from what you describe and looking at the pic. someone has been a little over enthusiastic as far as I am concerned.

 

[Murdochcat]

The coding is very harsh IF you can’t get a finger near it

 

[pete01]

Get some trunking, cut the side out and put it over the cables.

Do it from top to bottom, should look ok.

 

[Shropshire]

Thanks everyone, yes I think they have been very harsh too. Its going to be difficult to get to it to seal let alone get my fingers in!

 

[Murdochcat]

Thanks everyone, yes I think they have been very harsh too. Its going to be difficult to get to it to seal let alone get my fingers in!

Which is why it should be a C3

Why don’t people allow for common sense?

 

[ericmark]

There is a standard finger.

The Standard Finger Probe

• • Dimensions: Testing uses a jointed or rigid test probe measuring 12 mm in diameter and 80 mm in length to simulate accidental access by an adult finger.
  • Specification: Governed internationally by IEC 60529 and adopted in the UK as BS EN 60529.
  • Terminology: The "British standard finger" or "test finger" is the industry-recognized probe used to verify that a human finger cannot touch hazardous live or moving parts inside an enclosure.

I would not think looking at the picture a standard finger could get through the hole and touch a live part. I did have a talk with an HSE inspector when he said the mesh had too wide of holes in it, as a daft manager had demonstrated he could get his fingers in and remove some stones, I said I could not plan for a freak who had undersized fingers. And he agreed, smiling and laughing at the manager.

 

[pete01]

What height is th consumer unit at?

 

[Shropshire]

What height is th consumer unit at?

About head height behind a small cupboard (housing only the CU's) (behind the door in the picture)

 

[pete01]

About head height behind a small cupboard (housing only the CU's)

Oh ok, then I wouldn't worry too much, if it was floor height I'd be worried about kids poking stuff in the holes (maybe)