Metal enclosure with 3rd amendment.

[ericmark]

I have not bought the book but am told for fire prevention consumer units now have to be metal in domestic premises.

This raises two questions:-
What about with TT supplies?
What when consumer unit is in the garage which itself is suppose to be fire resistant?

 

[RF Lighting]

I would think a plastic bush for the entry would be ok, and routing the tails in a way where it's not possible for a fault to occour. That's how I've always done commercial TT installations.

As for garages, it's irrelevant. A fire in a plastic cu could set fire to the garage, the car, the fuel tank, the oxy-acetylene bottles etc.

 

[flameport]

They don't have to be metal - just 'non-combustible'.

However in reality they will be metal. BS7671 gives only one example which is metal.

Crabtree/Wylex and Hager both have new catalogues which contain 100% metal consumer units, no plastic any more.
http://www.electrium.co.uk/downloads.php
http://www.hager.co.uk/product-cata...onsumer-units/design-range-overview/50746.htm

MK have stated theirs will be all metal shortly.

Also note that many existing metal units won't comply, as they often have plastic front visors.

As for TT supplies - this object is offered by Wylex as a partial solution where cables enter the CU:

Untitled

• flameport
• 25 Jan 2015
• 1

 

[AndyPRK]

ACCORDING TO another forum Wylex will be offering metal covers to upgrade old metal CU's.


Worth a watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttNGITvvkj4&feature=youtu.be

 

[JohnW2]

They don't have to be metal - just 'non-combustible'. However in reality they will be metal. BS7671 gives only one example which is metal.

Indeed - although in saying that ferrous metal is 'deemed to be non-combustible', that does not necessarily mean that other materials would not comply - although it seems to be silent about that!

Crabtree/Wylex and Hager both have new catalogues which contain 100% metal consumer units, no plastic any more. ... MK have stated theirs will be all metal shortly.

Interesting - I hadn't realised that - so maybe the manufacturers have not identified any suitable non-metallic 'non-combustible' materials. It's perhaps worth pointing out that 421.1.201(ii) does offer an alternative. A CU which is not made out of non-combustible material will remain compliant if it is enclosed in a non-combustible cabinet or enclosure.

As for TT supplies - this object is offered by Wylex as a partial solution where cables enter the CU:

Again, interesting - but that only partially addresses the issues with TT, doesn't it?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Taylortwocities]

ACCORDING TO another forum Wylex will be offering metal covers to upgrade old metal CU's.


Worth a watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttNGITvvkj4&feature=youtu.be[/QUOTE]

But this it worth much more of a watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76NT6KM9sRs

Dunno who this bloke is……..

 

[AndyPRK]

Dunno who this bloke is……..

I expect he is lurking somewhere

 

[333rocky333]

Not sure if its true but overheard the CEF rep say there plastic CU's comply

 

[JohnW2]

Not sure if its true but overheard the CEF rep say there plastic CU's comply

As I said, I had really expected that most manufacturers would have found some suitable non-metal material which satisfied the 'non-combustible' requirement (although that's not so easy unless 'non-combustible' is defined! - maybe in the Standard??) - but, judging by what flameport said, that perhaps is not the case.

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

Dunno who this bloke is……..

I expect he is lurking somewhere

With 20000+ posts, our JW wouldnt have time to do a 10min video, would he

 

[JohnW2]

With 20000+ posts, our JW wouldnt have time to do a 10min video, would he

Nope - and I don't do videos, anyway

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

From what you mention about your houses etc, i imagine your a tad older, with less or greyer hair

Only joking

 

[JohnW2]

From what you mention about your houses etc, i imagine your a tad older, with less or greyer hair Only joking

Yes, 'a tad older' (forget the house, since I frequently make reference to the electrical installations, and other things, in the 60s!), but plenty of hair (but, yes, grey - however, it's been like that for decades, so doesn't prove much about my age!).

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

Hope its not to personal, but have you ever worked in the electrical trade john

 

[JohnW2]

Hope its not to personal, but have you ever worked in the electrical trade john

Nope - and I've always made that very clear.

Kind Regards, John