Legal aspect of Electrics in a commercial setting
- Thread starter morg
- Start date
Schedule 3 excludes from the provisions of the regulations "7. Any appliance which is intended to be permanently connected to the fixed wiring of the mains system other than by means of a plug and socket." so yes, that seems to be correct.
Intended by whom?
If anyone should intend to 'permanently connect an appliance to the fixed wiring' even if supplied with a moulded plug,
do you consider that removing the moulded plug would contravene the MIs.
Could there be a valid reason for the MIs to actually state that the plug should not be removed?
I see nothing wrong with this although, obviously, it is not possible to fit a moulded plug for the converse (re: cooker hood and recent panel heater).
Edit - Also, is not 'plugging in' connecting to the fixed wiring?
Intended by the person to whom the regulations apply EFLI, i.e. the person (usually the manufaturer) placing the appliance on the market in the United Kingdom.
Whether removing a moulded plug would contravene the MIs depends on whether the manufacturer has told you not to remove the plug or not. If not then I would see nothing wrong in removing the plug and wiring into an FCU.
I believe these regulations were introduced because consumers were putting themselves at risk by fitting plugs badly, so the regulations move that task to the manufacturer, who is presumably more competent, or at least more practised.
Before these regs it was common for appliances to be sold with the flex prepared for the convenience of the manufacturer's testing, i.e. with all cores cut to the same length, and too much of the sheath stripped back.
Where I've noticed MIs referring to changing the plug, they tend to refer to the need for someone competent to perform that task.
Yes, plugging in is connecting to the fixed wiring, but it is not connecting to the fixed wiring 'other than by means of a plug and socket'.
Whether removing a moulded plug would contravene the MIs depends on whether the manufacturer has told you not to remove the plug or not. If not then I would see nothing wrong in removing the plug and wiring into an FCU.
I believe these regulations were introduced because consumers were putting themselves at risk by fitting plugs badly, so the regulations move that task to the manufacturer, who is presumably more competent, or at least more practised.
Before these regs it was common for appliances to be sold with the flex prepared for the convenience of the manufacturer's testing, i.e. with all cores cut to the same length, and too much of the sheath stripped back.
Where I've noticed MIs referring to changing the plug, they tend to refer to the need for someone competent to perform that task.
Yes, plugging in is connecting to the fixed wiring, but it is not connecting to the fixed wiring 'other than by means of a plug and socket'.
Thanks for the help Steve,
Have been thinking about the "wall mountable portable heaters fitted with flex/plug" to get around the wiring regs, however I don't really want to do it this way.
We got a unused double socket on a ring main - If I were to replace the socket with a FCU and wire up just 1 x 3kW heater, from an electrician's point would the whole circuit require testing after adding FCU?
Thanks
Yes.
You would need be competent to carry out safe isolation before you could work on the circuit.
After the work is complete, you would need to prove ring continuity IR polarity and Zs as a minimum.
Also you need to be able to properly assess the spare capacity of the circuit to ensure it can support the additional mode.
Oh and BS7671 recommends that a fixed load above 2kW should not be supplied from a ring final circuit.
You would need be competent to carry out safe isolation before you could work on the circuit.
After the work is complete, you would need to prove ring continuity IR polarity and Zs as a minimum.
Also you need to be able to properly assess the spare capacity of the circuit to ensure it can support the additional mode.
Oh and BS7671 recommends that a fixed load above 2kW should not be supplied from a ring final circuit.
Give who a ring?
Qualified Electrician - Not the shutter door plonker
I was putting my diy urge before sense, won't be costing me a penny so and I don't want the risk. Thanks!
Just for the future, If I somehow managed to get certificate in 17th Edition (2382-12) - I know its a open book exam that anyone can take...
Would this alone allow me carry out what I suggested and get someone else qualified to test what I did? Cheers
Would this alone allow me carry out what I suggested and get someone else qualified to test what I did? Cheers
Not really.
And this ?
City & Guilds 2357 - Option 3 - The Complete Qualification Course Fees are £7495 (inc vat) Plus site visits @ £250 per site visit
Boss been wanting me to do a course
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