EICR audits _________

[littlespark]

Is there a little badge somewhere to tag my earlier posts as "ironic"?

My point was that, yes, ceiling roses and BC/ES lampholders are exempt at the moment, but someday they may be superceded by a product that doesn't need to be exempt and is safe by design.

Oh... there we go again.... its a lamp-holder, not a bulb-holder

 

[telectrix]

florence nightingale had a lamp. it didn't have a bulb though.it had a wick.

 

[littlespark]

florence nightingale had a lamp. it didn't have a bulb though.it had a wick.

So Florence Nightingale was a lampholder? … So was Wee Willy Winkie

 

[Flanders]

?

I was references Essex , he stated that "a CU has an unprotected busbar inside." I was just saying that not all fuse boards have exposed bus bars.

 

[Flanders]

Agreed. But you are ussuming they have been switched off.

I never Assume anything , I was just saying that some DBs and CUs do not all have exposed bus bars , anyway that's beside the point the enclosure still has to be to the correct IP ratting, so blanks will be required if there is a live bus bar or not

 

[Spoon]

anyway that's beside the point the enclosure still has to be to the correct IP ratting, so blanks will be required if there is a live bus bar or not

But this is also besides the point, as the CU's did have blanks. They were just plastic..

 

[Flanders]

Sorry yes forgot how this thread started. , So in answer to that I would not code plastic blanks, unless they were loose and fell out easily , as I said before you normally need a screw driver to prize them out , If its a new amendment 3 board the front flat is the fire barrier , so no need for metal blanks .

 

[Nigel]

But this is also besides the point, as the CU's did have blanks. They were just plastic..

The plastic issue is a red flag and was not mentioned as the reason for the issue in the op.

It is because they can be removed easily with fingers.

 

[Pete999]

florence nightingale had a lamp. it didn't have a bulb though.it had a wick.

This post is getting on mine, Wick that is.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

So you purchase a CU which comes with easily removed blanks.
Do you comply with Manufacturer’s Instructions and fit them, or find some other manner of blanking off the opening?

 

[Octopus]

I've fitted a metal BG board today ................ and it came with the type of CU blank that can be easily removed ................ is this a C3?

Madness.

 

[Nigel]

I've fitted a metal BG board today ................ and it came with the type of CU blank that can be easily removed ................ is this a C3?

Madness.

Cheap crap mate. Does not comply imho.

 

[Andy78]

I've fitted a metal BG board today ................ and it came with the type of CU blank that can be easily removed ................ is this a C3?

Madness.

I have fitted a few BG garage units before and found this problem. I have hurled the offending blanks and used others that complied.
I have come to expect this level of quality from BG consumer units though.
I agree it is madness. That a manufacturer would not be aware of regulations and supply parts unfit for use.

 

[suffolkspark]

I fitted a schneider 3 phase board in the summer, aparantly they dont even do a din rail type fitted blank only the clip in ones aswell.... I didnt like that on a 3 phase board...

The wilex one i fitted today came with clip in ones aswell but i ordered the din mounted ones to go with it...

 

[Octopus]

Cheap crap mate. Does not comply imho.

says who?

Surely no manufacturer would sell non compliant equipment .....

 

[Andy78]

I fitted a schneider 3 phase board in the summer, aparantly they dont even do a din rail type fitted blank only the clip in ones aswell.... I didnt like that on a 3 phase board...

The wilex one i fitted today came with clip in ones aswell but i ordered the din mounted ones to go with it...

Are the blanks removable without a tool ?
The problem is easily solved by ordering a lock to fit the DB door if so.

 

[Nigel]

says who?

Surely no manufacturer would sell non compliant equipment .....

Would you install a CU with a clip on cover?

 

[Pete999]

says who?

Surely no manufacturer would sell non compliant equipment .....

Got to agree with that comment.

 

[Nigel]

Got to agree with that comment.

Like towerblock cladding manufacturers ?

 

[Andy78]

I've fitted a metal BG board today ................ and it came with the type of CU blank that can be easily removed ................ is this a C3?

Madness.

says who?

Surely no manufacturer would sell non compliant equipment .....

Your first quote sort of disproves your second quote, unless my sarcasm detector is malfunctioning.

I have come across plenty of gear not suitable for installation to BS7671. Mainly light fittings, but having experienced the blanks supplied with BG boards, I would say they are not compliant or fit for purpose.

 

[Octopus]

Would you install a CU with a clip on cover?

You are not comparing apples with Apple's.

 

[suffolkspark]

Delete

 

[suffolkspark]

Are the blanks removable without a tool ?
The problem is easily solved by ordering a lock to fit the DB door if so.

Yes you can really remove any clip in ones if youve got good nails

 

[Andy78]

Yes you can really remove any clip in ones if youve got good nails

I have come across some plastic clip in that I couldn't remove at all. And I go to the Fufu boutique once a week for a manicure

 

[Flanders]

I fitted a schneider 3 phase board in the summer, aparantly they dont even do a din rail type fitted blank only the clip in ones aswell.... I didnt like that on a 3 phase board...

The wilex one i fitted today came with clip in ones aswell but i ordered the din mounted ones to go with it...

do those boards not have the switches to turn of the the individual mcb connections ?

 

[suffolkspark]

Yea thats true, i still dont like it tho

 

[Andy78]

do those boards not have the switches to turn of the the individual mcb connections ?

Just because they can be turned off internally doesn't mean mean that they are turned off. So it must follow that does not give you exception to install blanks that are removable without a tool.

 

[westward10]

The new Schneider ones will only switch on with a protective device in place.

 

[Andy78]

The new Schneider ones will only switch on with a protective device in place.

Really ? Last time I installed an acti9 isobar I found it was possible to switch on without a device, just like the old Merlin ones.
That was about 3 years back though.

 

[westward10]

Pretty sure now the Isobar Acti 9 will only switch with a device in place.

 

[Andy78]

Pretty sure now the Isobar Acti 9 will only switch with a device in place.

Knowing me I probably broke it

 

[Toneyz]

The company I work for periodically gets its EICR'S audited, one thing they pulled us for was plastic blanks in pre Amd3 boards 'easily removed without the use of a tool and readily accessible'
They put this down as a 'code 2'
Can't really fathom this, what about pendants? Which have been overlooked, it's resulted in a return to hundreds of properties fitting MCB blanks.
Any thoughts?

Don't you mean the company that you work for has an EICR done periodically if that's how I read it? what hight is this distribution board? if you can stand there and push the blank in then you have direct contact with live parts so fixed blanks would be required they are not expensive.

 

[Flanders]

Just because they can be turned off internally doesn't mean mean that they are turned off. So it must follow that does not give you exception to install blanks that are removable without a tool.

Merlin gerin blanks fit tight in the boards and come in strips of five I would say that these blanks would not be able to be removed without a tool . The only full dinrail blanks I know of are the mem memshield 2 and hager , do any other manufactures make them ?

 

[westward10]

Memshield 3 and MK.

 

[Flanders]

So there is still lot that only make clip in blanks . What about wylex , crabtree, schnider, BG, chint, etc . May be glueing them in is the answer, just not very handy for the next man who comes along to install an extra circuit

 

[Timbo]

MK din rail blank, 58p, Toolstation MK MCB Blank - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p11078?r=googleshopping&rr=marin&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6D2YzntHMLmyLJQu2lNXqpkZBQhKpAOphm3xK-J3pibr5jFeVoEjkUaAiJBEALw_wcB

BG din rail blank, 27p, Screwfix https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/briti...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLjviY3X09wCFWwD0wodOw8Drg

TLC do blanks for Contactum and Wylex NH, according to Google.

 

[johnduffell]

re lampholders, if they were designing them today they'd probably not have exposed contacts (or in reality, the trend for non replaceable LED lamps will continue until they are eventually mandated)

and I think the concern about "not accessible without a tool" is more about kids pulling them out than preventing your average DIYer. Enough people are scared to touch a CU in the first place, even those who are are less likely to go at them with a screwdriver!

all regs are open to interpretation and professional judgement, to the letter the inspector is spot on, but perhaps judgement would be used depending on the location of the CU and use of the bulding.

 

[westward10]

Crabtree brought out a safety pendant holder a fair few years back where the pins were not live with the lamp removed, never really caught on.

 

[sparksfly]

The company I work for periodically gets its EICR'S audited, one thing they pulled us for was plastic blanks in pre Amd3 boards 'easily removed without the use of a tool and readily accessible'
They put this down as a 'code 2'
Any thoughts?

Ok ...we have all probably seen some DBs CSUs with holes, no blanks, some out of reach...if they are falling out then fair comment if they fit well then code 3...quick fix... just spot some super glue on the plastic blanks, they can be cut out later if required. As for amd3 there is nothing wrong with using plastic blanks next to plastic MCBs under a metal lid.