Consumer Units ●From previous page
also switches the neutral for even higher levels of safety. They also help designers and installers comply with the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations. It’s important that installers understand that AFDDs detect the types of arc faults that cannot be detected by RCDs or MCBs. These new devices use digital technology to provide additional protection against fires caused by arcs in AC 230V final circuits.
The 30% rule To help to avoid unwanted tripping of RCDs from PE currents leaking through the protective conductor during normal (non fault) operating conditions the accumulated leakage current must be less than 30% of the RCD rating i.e. 30% of 30mA – see regulation 531.3.2. Designers and installers will have to take account of PE currents when dividing the installation into the necessary number of circuits. This is in addition to the requirements set out in Chapter 31 (314.1). Installing more individually protected RCBO circuits to supply fewer items of equipment will help to meet this requirement.
Only use manufacturer approved parts Another new regulation, 536.4.203 refers to devices and components that are used in low voltage assemblies, such as consumer units. These must only be those that have been declared suitable for that purpose by the manufacturer of the assembly. Or put another way, only use manufacturer approved parts; don’t mix brands of devices, or control items. Using unapproved parts will invalidate manufacturer guarantees and may result in an unsafe installation.
Meter tails
The 18th Edition also includes regulation 522.8.5, which requires every cable to be installed in a way that avoids any mechanical
Starbreaker consumer units have been designed to be easier, safer and faster to install, whether it’s a first-time installation, a re-fit or an upgrade.
strain and makes sure that there is no strain on the conductors and connections. Consumer unit meter tails are included in this requirement. This is in addition to any other requirements to provide protection to tails at the point of entry into metal consumer unit enclosures, etc.
Health and safety Regulation 462.1.201 requires a means of isolation (a main linked switch or circuit breaker) at the origin of every installation and in situations where this will be operated by ordinary persons, e.g. on a consumer unit in a domestic household, the main switch must interrupt both live conductors (L and N) of a single phase supply. Starbreaker Mini RCBOs and AFDDs provide this same safety protocol to individual circuits too because they include switched neutral as standard.
Periodic inspections The 18th Edition recommends periodic testing and inspection (regulation 135.1). Testing can be a time consuming and costly activity, but Starbreaker Miniature RCBOs allow IR testing to be carried out without disconnecting and reconnecting circuit cables because they include two pole isolation as standard. Just switch off and test. So, whether it’s a brand new installation, an addition or upgrade, Crabtrees’ Starbreaker consumer units and devices (Miniature RCBOs and AFDDs) can be simply plugged into the fully insulated plug self-connecting busbar system, providing an easy installation that now includes additional protection against electrically ignited fires.
www.electrium.co.uk/crabtree
The 18th Edition also includes
regulation 522.8.5, which requires
every cable to be installed in a way that avoids any mechanical strain and makes sure that there is no strain on the conductors and connections.
Crabtree Starbreaker mainswitch. 30 | electrical wholesalerAugust 2018
www.ewnews.co.uk
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