Installers and specifiers should be aware that compliance with the relevant standards (BS EN 60439-3 and BS 5486-13) and BS 7671 may be invalidated unless the equipment is installed on-site in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and guidance.
If the marking and compliance is invalidated, then the onus of proving that the installation is safe falls squarely onto the shoulders of the installer.
The growing practice of fitting a consumer unit made by one manufacturer with mcbs and rccbs from others could make any manufacturer's certification null and void and difficult to prove compliance with the Wiring Regulations.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of the installer who wishes to mix-and-match the components in an installation to have the final results tested, at its cost, and despite the difficulties of doing so, to ensure compliance. If this is not done then there is a probability that, in the event of an accident, fire or other damage, there will be difficulties in claiming insurance.
Beware of advice
A distributor or wholesaler also has a responsibility under the General Product Safety Regulations 1994 (which enacts the EU General Product Safety Directive) to act "with due care" to ensure that the products that it supplies are safe. In particular, it must not supply products which "it knows or should have presumed to be" unsafe from the information or lack of information in its possession. Such information will be mainly in the form of manufacturers' test reports, product installation instructions and guidance.
If a manufacturer or supplier claims that: its components (mcbs, rccbs, etc) can be fitted into another manufacturer's consumer unit; or that its consumer unit can be installed with components from another manufacturer or supplier, then it must be able to provide supporting documentation for its claim. This will usually take the form of test reports which demonstrate the safety of such an assembly and verify compliance with the essential requirements of the Low Voltage Directive, to support the fixing of CE marking onto the finished consumer unit.
To ensure that distributors and wholesalers are able to meet their obligations, they should have the documentation before they offer the goods for sale or make any statements about their interchangeability.
If the installer acts on a distributor's advice and information and in doing so produces a non-compliant installation then the distributor may also be liable with the installer for any consequences.
What's new in circuit protection
MEM’s Memshield 2 range of mcbs has been approved for use in marine, offshore and industrial environments. The approval covers the entire range of single-pole, single-pole and neutral, double-pole, triple-pole and triple-pole and neutral mcbs. Rockwell Automation now has the Allen-Bradley 140M range of circuit breakers. The 140M provides type-2 short circuit co-ordination to IEC 947-4-1, without the need to specify an oversized contactor. The circuit breakers are rated at 25 A and 45 A. Merlin Gerin has launched a range of pan assemblies based on its market leading Isobar 4 distribution boards. The new units are a cost effective way to build circuit protection into enclosures. Newey & Eyre has introduced a new range of Newlec consumer units, mcbs and rccbs. Five consumer units range from five-way and eight-way 100 A main switch incomers, 80 A 30 mA rccb incomers to a 12-way split load board with a 100 A double pole main switch for all mcb ways and 80 A 30 mA rccb control for selected mcb ways. ESP offers the Doepke 125 A four-pole, four module rcd. This follows the 125 A two-pole, two module version and completes the redesign of the entire Doepke rcd range. Hager introduces three new configurations to its Vision range of consumer units, eight, ten and 14 ways split boards (pictured). It has also launched a range of metal SP&N boards in a move to expand into the commercial and industrial markets.Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
