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What i heard is all the new amendment 3 boards are metal. And the plastic boards will have to be in a fire proof enclosure.
Mike here's a good article to read
Consumer units - IET Electrical
Discuss Plastic amendment 3 CU's in the Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations area at ElectriciansForums.net
What i heard is all the new amendment 3 boards are metal. And the plastic boards will have to be in a fire proof enclosure.
I don't think I'll happily fit one of these things but if a manufacturer with a decent reputation comes out with one..........
What i heard is all the new amendment 3 boards are metal. And the plastic boards will have to be in a fire proof enclosure.
I fitted my first metal clad board last week. I think I actually prefer them to be honest. The knock outs are easier to get out than the plastic ones for a start. I did think it would look too industrial in a domestic setting but it looks fine n dandy.
I fitted my first metal clad board last week. I think I actually prefer them to be honest. The knock outs are easier to get out than the plastic ones for a start. I did think it would look too industrial in a domestic setting but it looks fine n dandy.
Fire foam, a good squirt all round the board, ensure you fill the board with it too, that's what the hole is for on the side, filling it up!
taken with a metalclad, non-combustible camera. a russian zenit would comply.Have you got a photo?
I haven't looked at the AM3 metal boards yet - do they provide some way of fire sealing the cable entries or is that left up to the installer to work out?
I notice the the IET seem to be saying that the installer must fire seal cable entries (from Jan next year), which sounds difficult to me, particularly in situations where lots of cables enter the back of the CU.
Out of interest, did you fire seal cable entries / did your board provide some way of sealing rear knock out holes?
I took some photos. Not very good ones though. Used the M40 Wiska sprint glands. I positioned the gland slightly off where I should have which meant had to use a blank next to the main switch. Will remember for next time. Only had one knock out to remove...bit of grommet strip on it and used fire sealant around all cables. Jobs a good un.
View attachment 29041
I haven't looked at the AM3 metal boards yet - do they provide some way of fire sealing the cable entries or is that left up to the installer to work out?
I notice the the IET seem to be saying that the installer must fire seal cable entries (from Jan next year), which sounds difficult to me, particularly in situations where lots of cables enter the back of the CU.
Out of interest, did you fire seal cable entries / did your board provide some way of sealing rear knock out holes?
The regs don't stipulate that the openings need be fire sealed, IMHO.
This discussion hosted by Mark Coles, the IET technical guru, talks about it, and the conclusion is there is no change to IP ratings, and no requirements for intumescent seals (view from 13m:15s to 15m:00s, if you can be bothered watching it all)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJvLT7uwO58
Is that an insulated butt crimp on solid core I spy?
It is important for the installer to seal all openings into the enclosure or cabinet for cables, conduits, trunking or ducting that remain after the installation of cables. See Figure 6.
The intent of the sealing is that, as far as is reasonably practicable, any fire is contained within the enclosure or cabinet and the escape of flames to the surroundings of the cabinet or enclosure or into conduits trunking or ducting is minimised, as intended by Regulation 421.1.201.
How the hell are we meant to infer that from the actual wording of the regulation?
421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall:
i. have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or
ii. be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.
NOTE 1: Ferrous metal e.g. steel is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material
NOTE 2: The implementation date for this regulation is the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date.
It's wide open for the lawyers to argue about.
It would be much clearer if they had also added
iii) All openings to be sealed against the spread of fire
iv) non-flame propagating wiring must be used
v) smoke and/or heat alarm to be installed in vicinity of the consumer unit
vi) fire extinguisher to be located within easy reach of the consumer unit
vii) original installer to check the connections every month at his/her own expense
viii) stop working in domestic premises and leave it to those with less skill and experience
Reply to Plastic amendment 3 CU's in the Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations area at ElectriciansForums.net
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