I'd be far happier if it said "double or reinforced insulation  is required for all wiring not protected by an RCD or RCBO"

It does not.

There is an easy solution: put a 100 mA type S RCD in the REC2 enclosure instead of the normal switch.

AJJewsbury:

There is an easy solution: put a 100 mA type S RCD in the REC2 enclosure instead of the normal switch.

Just don't use Graham's metal enclosure version!


  - Andy.

 

but the RCD would almost certainly make it "similar switchgear"

AJJewsbury:

but the RCD would almost certainly make it "similar switchgear"

I'd still argue not - without any overcurrent protective devices there's no incoming or outgoing circuits - it's all (by the definition of a circuit) all one circuit. It can't therefore be a distribution board, and thus not any particular type of distribution board that is a consumer unit, so any similarity doesn't seem at all obvious. Let alone meeting the switchgear definition's requirement for containing both main and auxiliary switching equipment.


  - Andy.

 

Alcomax:

421.1.201 is used for consumer units and similar switch gear assemblies [ to consumer units] , these will all, by definition, be EN61439-3. [ this could include "non-consumer units" such as Distribution Boards by virtue of being in a household ].

421.1.6 will cover enclosed electrical equipment not in scope of 421.1.201. "Distribution Board" used in a non-household situation would apply to this reg, however many are also EN61439-3, notionally a DBO [operation by ordinary persons] dependent on use. However, an enclosure NOT manufactured to EN61439-3 but say satisfying EN60695-2-11 [ glow wire test], IP rating for example IP40 EN 60529 and crucially class 2 EN61140 and containing one item of electrical equipment, is of no interest to 421.1.201. Such enclosed equipment is REC 2 switch or 2 or 4 pole enclosed RCD and probably quite a lot of other stuff.


Simply, the opening gambit of 421.1.201 spells it out, these similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with  BS EN 61439-3 .


80 amp KMFs are to another another standard, all insulated and have a switch and a fuse. When 17th AMD 3 first surfaced, mistakenly these were "banned" [ sort of by panicking manufacturers] and even a "AMD 3 compliant" steel one appeared for a while, then thankfully, vanished and sanity restored, as the tried and trusted insulated one is available again.


As AJ said earlier in this thread, the similar switchgear to consumer units is referring to Distribution Boards.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression the AMD 3 reg was specifically for consumer units as those were the items that were catching fire, as reported by LFB?

• Calling a consumer unit that's used in an out-building a "Garage unit" in marketing material doesn't stop it being a "consumer unit".

• Similarly, a 2-pole RCD in a box, say for a shower, also comes under the definition.

gkenyon:

Alcomax:

421.1.201 is used for consumer units and similar switch gear assemblies [ to consumer units] , these will all, by definition, be EN61439-3. [ this could include "non-consumer units" such as Distribution Boards by virtue of being in a household ].

421.1.6 will cover enclosed electrical equipment not in scope of 421.1.201. "Distribution Board" used in a non-household situation would apply to this reg, however many are also EN61439-3, notionally a DBO [operation by ordinary persons] dependent on use. However, an enclosure NOT manufactured to EN61439-3 but say satisfying EN60695-2-11 [ glow wire test], IP rating for example IP40 EN 60529 and crucially class 2 EN61140 and containing one item of electrical equipment, is of no interest to 421.1.201. Such enclosed equipment is REC 2 switch or 2 or 4 pole enclosed RCD and probably quite a lot of other stuff.


Simply, the opening gambit of 421.1.201 spells it out, these similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with  BS EN 61439-3 .


80 amp KMFs are to another another standard, all insulated and have a switch and a fuse. When 17th AMD 3 first surfaced, mistakenly these were "banned" [ sort of by panicking manufacturers] and even a "AMD 3 compliant" steel one appeared for a while, then thankfully, vanished and sanity restored, as the tried and trusted insulated one is available again.


As AJ said earlier in this thread, the similar switchgear to consumer units is referring to Distribution Boards.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression the AMD 3 reg was specifically for consumer units as those were the items that were catching fire, as reported by LFB?

I understand this intention, and the guidance that's been written, but there are some points to consider:


(i) The particular Reg in question, due to the definition of "consumer unit", has the unwanted effect of encompassing other similar assemblies to be drawn in:

• Calling a consumer unit that's used in an out-building a "Garage unit" in marketing material doesn't stop it being a "consumer unit".

• Similarly, a 2-pole RCD in a box, say for a shower, also comes under the definition.

(ii) The definition of Consumer Unit only covers assemblies with 2-pole isolation on the incoming circuit(s). Therefore, even in dwellings, a 3-phase DBO doesn't come under the Reg, unless you mean that's "similar equipment".


(iii) If we follow the logic of (ii) with a 3-phase DBO being "similar equipment", then it stands to reason that other arrangements not meeting all of the elements of the definition of "consumer unit" could also be classed as "similar equipment" - such as a REC isolator, as this has 2-pole isolation, typically meets many of the other elements of the definition, it just doesn't have a protective device in there.



What's my point?


What looks like a simple requirement is not all that clear when you look into it, and I think the legal industry might have a field day with it if they ever needed to.

 

John Peckham:

I think that a double pole switch does meet the definition of switchgear as defined in Part 2. I suppose reading "similar" can be used to avoid  using metal cladding but think about what the regulation is intended to do.



I am thinking of fitting a Wylex REC2 isolator with the integrated surge protection to the tails of the supply in my home in Norfolk. I want to do this as I am intending to have the key meter changed to a credit meter and I am bound to get a smart meter.


That will allow me to be able to change my MK plastic consumer unit and my E& consumer unit. Why an SPD? I have a long overhead LV run to a distant pole transformer supplied from overhead HV lines an no sign of surge protection on the Tx. Very flat fenland country with a dark grey colour on the flash density map!


I have seen new Wylex consumer units with main switches with tunnel terminals and 2 screws. Does anyone know if the REC 2 version with the SPD comes with tunnel terminals? 


 

gkenyon:

AJJewsbury:

but the RCD would almost certainly make it "similar switchgear"

I'd still argue not - without any overcurrent protective devices there's no incoming or outgoing circuits - it's all (by the definition of a circuit) all one circuit. It can't therefore be a distribution board, and thus not any particular type of distribution board that is a consumer unit, so any similarity doesn't seem at all obvious. Let alone meeting the switchgear definition's requirement for containing both main and auxiliary switching equipment.


  - Andy

Well, this is where it gets tenuous.


The overcurrent protection may be downstream of the device (in this case usually justifiably so), therefore it fits into the "one or more fuses, circuit breakers, residual current operated devices" category in the definition of Consumer Unit in BS 7671. Certainly, the single RCD-isolator controls energy, and is certainly involved in the distribution of electrical energy.