Different phases in offices

[cliffed]

Originally a Sp DB,now 3pDb 400v.
The plans have not been altered to suit,so circuits are the same.
Would you worry about the rings are on different phases & close to each other.

 

[davesparks]

No, no problem with this.

 

[Andy78]

As long as only one phase per single phase socket everything should be fine

 

[DefyG]

If its doesn't comply with the regs!

 

[cliffed]

Cheers

 

[Pete999]

If its doesn't comply with the regs!

Not sure what you mean DefyG?

 

[DefyG]

Would you worry about the rings are on different phases & close to each other.

Yes I would worry. Irrespective of whether a single or upgraded to a three phase supply, the installation should still comply with the regs!

 

[Andy78]

Yes I would worry. Irrespective of whether a single or upgraded to a three phase supply, the installation should still comply with the regs!

Why would it not be compliant ?

 

[DefyG]

Socket outlets simultaneously accessible when on different phases?
When the OP says different rings, I'm assuming he is referring to the socket outlets.
If he is referring to the actual cabling then maybe no problem.

 

[cliffed]

Personally I would of made the rings all on the same phase,but I didn’t connect DB.
Or even asked for revised drawings,but once again you get hassle of other sparkies who know better....??

 

[Risteard]

Socket outlets simultaneously accessible when on different phases?
When the OP says different rings, I'm assuming he is referring to the socket outlets.
If he is referring to the actual cabling then maybe no problem.

Regulation number?

 

[Squid]

Lighting used to be spread across phases to lessen the stroboscopic effect, as long as the sockets are marked up then there should be no issue

 

[Darkwood]

Socket outlets simultaneously accessible when on different phases?
When the OP says different rings, I'm assuming he is referring to the socket outlets.
If he is referring to the actual cabling then maybe no problem.

I also am interested in why you think this does not comply to regulations, there is no issue at all here and if I recall there was once a regulation which called for them to be marked with a caution label if within arms reach of each other but I don't believe that exists anymore.
So in your own opinion what are the dangers or concerns here?

 

[DefyG]

Don't know off hand but will check regs when back in the office.
May even be excluded in the 18th now but regardless of that, always seemed 'good practice' to prevent simultaneous contact!

 

[DefyG]

I recall there was once a regulation which called for them to be marked with a caution label if within arms reach of each other

Maybe this is the reg that remember !!! Perhaps not valid anymore with the 18th??

 

[Darkwood]

Maybe this is the reg that remember !!! Perhaps not valid anymore with the 18th??

I think it dates back to the 16th and was lost when they redefined the regulation about marking switch points and outlets in excess of 230v, this was later altered to 230v to Earth which thus covered standard 3ph 400v and meant no labelling was required.
The original regulation is still in use but the goal posts where moved in its effect.

 

[DefyG]

I think it dates back to the 16th and was lost when they redefined the regulation

16th - Was it really? Some things stick in the back of your mind regardless of changes in the regs!

 

[Risteard]

16th - Was it really? Some things stick in the back of your mind regardless of changes in the regs!

It was the 16th. However the intent was always voltage to Earth and not between phases so this was clarified.

 

[freddo]

always seemed 'good practice' to prevent simultaneous contact!

Why would you be simultaneously contacting live parts?!

 

[DefyG]

Why would you be simultaneously contacting live parts?!

You wouldn't 'Would You'?
Thought the idea was to try to prevent simultaneous contact!

 

[cliffed]

Definitely old school thinking,16th applied arms length,but now ok?

 

[westward10]

That is why we have barriers to prevent access to live parts.

 

[freddo]

Starting to sound like DW Cockburn and his 415V shocks from frayed appliance flexes touching things while the suspended ceiling grid is live from faulty lights on another phase!

 

[Pete999]

Don't know off hand but will check regs when back in the office.
May even be excluded in the 18th now but regardless of that, always seemed 'good practice' to prevent simultaneous contact!

And the 17th I believe

 

[westward10]

This is from the first 16th Ed (1991) and gives requirements for necessary notices. There is no Regulation prohibiting socket outlets in close proximity being on different phases.

 

[telectrix]

used to be, back in the day, (16th ed. i think) it was advised not to have 2 separate phase outlets within 6 ft. of each other. this went down the drain along with the "Danger 415v".

 

[telectrix]

ooooops. posted before seeing last 10 posts.

 

[snowhead]

Thought the idea was to try to prevent simultaneous contact!

I though the basic idea was to prevent Contact.

 

[telectrix]

try telling this guy:

 

[westward10]

There is nowt in the 16th Ed which prohihits this. The common rule I suspect came about that if all accessories and equipment in a local area are common to one phase then the need for notices was not required.

 

[ipf]

Lighting used to be spread across phases to lessen the stroboscopic effect

I wouldn't have said that matters in office installations. With 3 phase, it's all about perception of moving or rotating machine parts. In offices it's 'flicker' problems and frequency modulation may come into play.

 

[Squid]

I wouldn't have said that matters in office installations. With 3 phase, it's all about perception of moving or rotating machine parts. In offices it's 'flicker' problems and frequency modulation may come into play.

I know, its mainly done in factories where there is moving machinery like lathes etc etc,

The most annoying thing in an office is the person with the bouncing leg as your monitor continuously wobbles.......

 

[Chris1234]

Being able to pick out the three phases in an office is useful for programming three phase equipment, for when there is no fork lift driver available to carry out the IBM AT with monochrome display to the shop floor that you’ve been supplied with to do the job.

 

[MJPD29]

Socket outlets simultaneously accessible when on different phases?
When the OP says different rings, I'm assuming he is referring to the socket outlets.
If he is referring to the actual cabling then maybe no problem.

But you can only plug one plug into 1 socket at a time, it's not as if you can play a monitor into 2 separate sockets at once and somehow put 400v through it. Is be very interested to hear a reg number also unless there's a hoover out there with 2 plugs hanging out of it I wouldn't worry