Time to voice OUR opinion

[baldsparkies]

I just find it hard to believe that the plastic outer casing of a consumer unit is the primary cause of electrical fires throughout the UK.
Statistics can be generated to suit any change in regulations without any real justification.
Politicians do it all the time, one lot come up with one set of statistics only to be countered by the other mob who will come up with completely different figures.
In my years in the game most heat has been generated by loose connections, and usually its the neutral that's the culprit.
Sometimes its a main switch that overheats again down to poor connections, but the pong is usually a give away before fires develop.
The main offenders that have almost caused timbers to catch are those bloody round ****ty brown JB's that lurk under floorboards with 5 x 2.5 T/E crammed in em right next to a charred dry wooden joist.

 

[rompling]

I think marvo 's idea of thermal image camera used on eic and EICR is a great idea

 

[Redvanman]

I've been installing boards for 30 years and never had a fire so not sure why I should be made to install metal boards in people's houses cos some idiot doesn't know how to tighten terminals correctly.
Personnally I think the manufacturers will just prove their insulated boards meet with the required regulations.
How the hell are you supposed to get the cables into the top of the board if there isn't enough entry holes.
I can see customers being well impressed with 3x3 metal trunking installed in their hall way.

 

[ipf]

So the C.U. has to be metal but the DNO can fit plastic cut outs and meters?

No Electrical Trainee's among them........ a few ex meter readers though..:annoyed:

 

[gutterball]

It's the insides of the boards that is needing improved. Not crappy breakers that split apart when you tighten them or the earth screws that sheered off on the wylex board I fitted the other day.

 

[R G]

Thats my line of thinking as well , the quality of the breakers , main switch and all the internal parts is well below that of the previous decades , double screws would help on the main switch for a start , and decent sized neutral & earth bars and screws would help too , as for the breakers , there must be loads around that haven't been changed on the Electrium recall , the quality of some of theses is dire , leaving the electrician having to be careful what they purchase ..

It seems like a metal casing is now required to allow the inferior quality of these units to continue ....

 

[PEG]

Before this thread descends into one long howl at the moon...There is a "new" minimum standard,to add to the list,and,as Mr.Skelton has mentioned,the leeway in those regs,to not have to adhere. There are usually ways round,what seem like restrictive guidelines,that result a better end.
Government,and governing bodies ideas at solving problems,rarely get a double first...anyone remember the amended firearms legislation? Cheer up lads :bobby:

 

[andyelectric]

I personally would be wary of putting 'the customer asked me not to' as valid reasoning on a risk assessment.

 

[D Skelton]

I personally would be wary of putting 'the customer asked me not to' as valid reasoning on a risk assessment.

No one said to do so.

It is a valid reason however to put down in the section for departures on an electrical installation certificate, along with reference to an attached risk assessment.

 

[davesparks]

I've been installing boards for 30 years and never had a fire so not sure why I should be made to install metal boards in people's houses cos some idiot doesn't know how to tighten terminals correctly.
Personnally I think the manufacturers will just prove their insulated boards meet with the required regulations.
How the hell are you supposed to get the cables into the top of the board if there isn't enough entry holes.
I can see customers being well impressed with 3x3 metal trunking installed in their hall way.

Drill more holes or make the existing ones bigger

 

[ImpededLoop]

I'd imagine that if it does go metal only, the consumer unit manufacturers will start selling units for domestic use with an alternative to standard 20/25mm circular holes.

Either that or some form of decorative trunking that bolts onto their units to accept T+E without looking like a bit of 2x2 galv.

 

[davesparks]

To be honest I can't really see this bothering me, as an apprentice we only ever used metal boards (unless plastic was necessary for TT) and I have carried on the same since then.

 

[ImpededLoop]

To be honest I can't really see this bothering me, as an apprentice we only ever used metal boards (unless plastic was necessary for TT) and I have carried on the same since then.

I've got to agree that in most cases it's not going to make a huge difference. I've not lost any sleep over this one yet!

 

[Octopus]

TBH if the metal CU's do become the norm at the very least the MK units won't be so flimsy!!

 

[TJ Anderson]

It is going to be a negative though. They cost more and are not as adaptable as insulated. On new installs it is no drama but on replacements it is going to be a pain in some situations.

 

[TJ Anderson]

TBH if the metal CU's do become the norm at the very least the MK units won't be so flimsy!!

That's true, MK Sentry Insulated are crap. The Cadbury's Heroes Tub we had over Christmas is of far sturdier construction!

 

[davesparks]

It is going to be a negative though. They cost more and are not as adaptable as insulated. On new installs it is no drama but on replacements it is going to be a pain in some situations.

I've never yet had a problem installing a metal CU as a replacement. What sort of issues are you expecting?

 

[TJ Anderson]

I've never yet had a problem installing a metal CU as a replacement. What sort of issues are you expecting?

Cable entry, metal clad is more restrictive. Have generally always used insulated on domestic and find this new requirement irritating when there is nothing wrong with what we have.

 

[Octopus]

I've never yet had a problem installing a metal CU as a replacement. What sort of issues are you expecting?

According to Tony Cable at Sandown, all entry and exit points will need to be fire retardant!

 

[VoltzElectrical]

According to Tony Cable at Sandown, all entry and exit points will need to be fire retarded!

Like Tony Cable!