No isolation of Neutral in Single phase boards

[ForkEnigma]

As title.

Doing an EICR, have come across a couple of DBs, where the neutral goes straight onto the bar on Single phase boards.
Whats your views on this guys?
Should it have a requirement to be isolated? Is there a reg for? If so then it can be coded.
My boss thinks its dangerous. I don't, but I'm happy to have a school day.
The boards have stickers on them, stating supply must be isolated elsewhere before taking cover off as well.
Thanks

 

[Strima]

Only required on TT earthing arrangements.

 

[westward10]

If ordinary persons are using the equipment which equates to households then the main switch must isolate all poles.

 

[ForkEnigma]

If ordinary persons are using the equipment which equates to households then the main switch must isolate all poles.

The job is a commercial one.
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There is also an argument that the DB should be isolated elsewhere before removing cover. As we know its illegal to work on live equipment.
Also there are a lot of OPDs that are single pole.

 

[Wilko]

@westward10 refers to Reg 462.1.201 which applies to an ordinary person, one who is not skilled or instructed. My read is - if it’s single phase and likely to be operated by ordinary folks then the board isolator should be double pole.

 

[cliffed]

Is this Is 230v DB,so main switch should isolate both L & N

 

[ForkEnigma]

Is this Is 230v DB,so main switch should isolate both L & N

It is 230V, but on a commercial install. My understanding is that double is essential on dwellings, to protect Joe public. As its commercial then Joe public will never be working on the system. Only qualified or competent personnel.

 

[westward10]

Is this Is 230v DB,so main switch should isolate both L & N

That is not true, only if being isolated by ordinary persons.

 

[cliffed]

Never seen a 230v DB without a main switch on both L&N

 

[SJD]

Never seen a 230v DB without a main switch on both L&N

I had a post about such a board some weeks back:

https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/consumer-unit-with-no-isolation-of-n.187520/

 

[ipf]

If ordinary persons are using the equipment which equates to households then the main switch must isolate all poles.

Just thinking...what about domestic 3 phase boards? 4 pole isolators?
I suppose it depends on the situation.

Just as an aside....I wonder if Part Peees have been issued for work on some of them big houses (Buckingham and Windsor, for instance).
I'll bet the NIC say they should.

Or Houses of Parliament......plenty sleep in there and call it 'home'.

 

[Risteard]

Never seen a 230v DB without a main switch on both L&N

They're (single pole) the norm in the south of Ireland.

SBR180 is one such Hager 80A single pole isolator.

 

[ForkEnigma]

I had a post about such a board some weeks back:

https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/consumer-unit-with-no-isolation-of-n.187520/

It was a 3 phase board converted to single phase.

 

[AndyRob]

I have a Hager 3-phase Invicta in my house with only a 3-P isolator switch - ie the neutral is not switched on the board. I was told that the 4-pole disconnector next to and between this dis-board and the meter is sufficient. Would you agree?

 

[littlespark]

I have a Hager 3-phase Invicta in my house with only a 3-P isolator switch - ie the neutral is not switched on the board. I was told that the 4-pole disconnector next to and between this dis-board and the meter is sufficient. Would you agree?

As long as the 4 pole switches the 3 phases AND the neutral, then, yes, it’s sufficient. That is the main isolation, not the 3p on the board.

 

[Risteard]

I have a Hager 3-phase Invicta in my house with only a 3-P isolator switch - ie the neutral is not switched on the board. I was told that the 4-pole disconnector next to and between this dis-board and the meter is sufficient. Would you agree?

It's generally not desirable to interrupt the neutral on a three-phase system, unless it's a TT system.