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Issue17 | Summer 2010 | £5.00
Plug into SafetyESC launches five-yearRCD campaign
www.esc.org.uk
2 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
WELCOME
FROM THE NEW EDITOR…
On page 7 of this edition of Switched On
you will read that despite the efforts of
organisations such as the ESC and ECA, the
network companies have declined to
establish a scheme that would allow
electricians to withdraw the cut-out fuse in
order to work safely on the customer’s
electrical installation. The reason cited by
representatives of the network companies is
health and safety. This would be amusing
were it not so outlandish, particularly as the
Health and Safety Executive has been
supporting efforts to bring about an
agreement with the network companies to
allow electricians to be able to work safely
and provide their customers with a good
service.
The consequences of the decision by the
network companies to withdraw from the
discussions is that customers will have to
bear extra cost and inconvenience, as they
or their electrician will have to arrange for a
visit to remove the cut-out fuse prior to
work commencing and then plan a return
visit to get the fuse put back in. The
alternative is an unauthorised removal of
the fuse, which could lead to a dispute with
the network company. This is in no way
ideal for anyone - least of all the customer
who will have to bear the inconvenience of
waiting for the job to be finished, not to
mention the additional cost
This is a sorry state of affairs and given the
Government’s target of installing some 20
million smart electricity meters by 2020, it
would seem improbable that the target will
be reached if there is not an agreement that
will allow electricians to remove the cut-out
fuse, albeit following an approved training
course. We will continue to lobby hard on
this matter and when the newly elected
Government is in place we will be seeking
to meet with the minister responsible to
discuss our concerns in this matter.
On the subject of the general election, by
the time you read this edition of Switched
On the new Government will have been in
place for around six weeks. The ESC is
currently paying close attention to each
party’s manifesto and we will be watching
carefully to see how pledges start to
become policies that could have an effect
on electrical safety as the new Government
begins its work of introducing or amending
legislation. We have already written to the
prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs)
for the three main parties in their target
seats, outlining key areas of our work and
asking them to sign a pledge to support
improvements to the electrics in the private
housing sector should they be elected. We
have been heartened by the interest the
pledge has generated and we will be
following up with those PPCs that are
elected to see how we can use their
support to gain the improvements in
electrical safety we are seeking.
Also in this edition you will read about the
flagship RCD campaign, page 8. This is the
ESC’s biggest campaign since it was
renamed and shows how far we have come
since 2006. The campaign seeks to change
behaviours of consumers and encourage
the installation and use of RCDs. We are
seeking the support of manufacturers and
the electrical contracting industry and as
the campaign is rolled out there will be
opportunities to get involved. I would
encourage you to do this as RCDs are a
proven life saver.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of
Switched On, the first to be edited by
Andrew Brister – welcome Andrew.
As always, we would welcome feedback on
Switched On, to help us improve the
content. Email [email protected]
Phil Buckle
It’s a real privilege to be sitting in the
editor’s chair for the first time during the
production of this edition of Switched On.
As this issue ably demonstrates, the
Council is working hard on so many fronts
to improve behaviours in terms of electrical
safety, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I’d like to say a big thank you to my
predecessor Mike Clark for all his hard work
as editor of Switched On since its
inception. Mike will remain central to
Switched On in his role as technical
director of the Council, contributing
articles and coercing others to put pen to
paper, or fingers to keyboard, too.
I’m not new to the electrical industry,
having edited Electrical & Mechanical
Contractor magazine, in partnership with
the Electrical Contractors’ Association, for
more years than I care to remember. These
are exciting times and I’m looking forward
to helping the industry keep abreast of all
that is going on in this fast-moving sector.
I welcome your comments, contributions
and criticism. Please feel free to email on
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Council taking a major role at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organisation (ICPHSO) see page 13
industry news
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features
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issue 17 Summer 2010
switchedon
your insight into the electricalsafety industry
Plug into Safety: The ESC’s five-year RCD campaign
Downlighters: a burning issue?
Controlling domestic electricalappliances from asingle switching position
Have you ever been asked… Canrewireable fuses still be used?
Overhead power lines
From the new editor…Also, Welcome
News in brief
Council sponsors TSI conference
Also, Amendment No 1 to the
‘17th Edition’
New model Electrical InstallationCondition Reports being trialled
The Essential Guide to the WiringRegulations – offline version
Also, Access to service fuses
NICEIC Group Ltd – name change
Also, Accident data analysis,
Preparations for launch of Electrical
Information Hub in autumn
Approved Cables Initiative Launched
Also, Sparks Expo
Electrical Installation Forum – 17thEdition guidance Also, Best Practice Guides
Council to take leading role atinternational product safetysymposium Also, Voltimum and Gambica sign
anti-counterfeit charter
Industry revises AM2 competencestandard
The UK smart meter roll-out andelectrical safety issues
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 3
Published by:
The Electrical Safety Council
Unit 1.10, Canterbury Court, Kennington
Park Business Centre, 1 - 3 Brixton Road,
London SW9 6DE
www.esc.org.uk
www.eschub.org.uk
www.twothirtyvolts.org.uk
www.switchedonkids.org.uk
Tel: 0870 040 0561 Fax: 0870 040 0560
email: [email protected]
Successful prosecution for
supplier of unsafe travel adaptor
Best Price 2 U Ltd has been fined £500 and
ordered to pay £1,015 costs after being
found guilty of possessing for sale an
unsafe travel adaptor which presented “a
serious risk of electric shock” to anyone
using it. The verdict came after action by
the Electrical Safety Council.
Best Price 2 U Ltd of Ray Park Avenue,
Maidenhead was found guilty at Bracknell
Magistrates Court on Wednesday 17 March
to breaching section 12(1) of the
Consumer Protection Act 1987 in that the
adaptor failed to comply with the Plugs
and Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994.
The court heard that in January 2009 the
ESC contacted the Royal Borough of
Windsor and Maidenhead’s trading
standards team with a complaint about the
safety of a Wonplug International All-In-
One travel adaptor that had been
purchased via the Amazon website from
Best Price 2 U Ltd.
Following independent expert testing the
adaptor was found to present a serious risk
of electric shock to anyone using it.
Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for public
protection, said: “This was a serious safety
issue – members of the public could have
been injured by the adaptor and, as the
court recognised, Best Price 2 U Ltd, had
no procedures in place to check whether
the items were safe or not and had no
proper record or recollection of who had
supplied the items to it or when. At best
their approach was slapdash – at worst it
was negligent.
“We are working with other trading
standards services across the country to
ensure that they are aware of the problems
that this product poses so they can take
their own action nationally. Hopefully the
case will send a message to all suppliers of
electrical products that they must take
steps to satisfy themselves that the
products they sell are safe.”
Laptop computer charging
trolleys safety alert
The HSE has issued a safety alert for the
attention of schools that use laptop
computer charging trolleys and those who
manufacture or supply such products. The
alert is intended to raise awareness of the
potential electrical dangers and the steps
to take to protect staff and pupils.
The alert was issued following an HSE
investigation into an electric shock
incident involving a laptop charging trolley
which found that, when a 3-pin plug
supplying the trolley was removed from
the supply socket, there was sufficient
stored electric charge on the pins of the
plug to give the user an electric shock.
In addition, some trolleys have been
identified that have two supply cables
contrary to good electrical engineering
practice, inadequate plug and cable
storage facilities, and unsuitable earth
terminations.
The full text of the HSE safety alert can be
found at www.hse.gov.uk/services/
education/safety121009.htm
‘Faulty electrics a death trap’
99p Stores Ltd, who have 112 stores
around the UK, have been fined £3,500 and
ordered to pay costs of £2,919 after
pleading guilty to selling a dangerous
plug-in nightlight from its branch at
Camberwell, London.
Tower Bridge Magistrates heard how in
February 2009 a member of the public
used one of the nightlights and, on
removing it from the wall socket, found
that one of the metal plug pins had broken
off and remained protruding from the live
wall socket.
He complained to Southwark's Trading
Standards team who carried out its own
tests. These confirmed the fault and also
highlighted other dangers such as the
absence of any fuse and accessibility to the
bulb.
99p Stores had imported 17,000 of the
nightlights and carried out a product recall
in March. However, the court heard how
they had failed to carry out adequate
checks to ensure that the products
imported complied with the Electrical
(Equipment) Safety Regulations 1994.
The company had blamed their suppliers
for switching delivery from a UK-based
company to one in Hong Kong.
Electrium product recall
Electrium is offering a free retrofit of a
number of its Miniature Circuit Breakers
that are not performing to the required
characteristics and could potentially lead
to a risk of burning in a small number of
installations.
Although Electrium maintains that the
immediate risk to a property is low, the
company is undertaking a free retrofit of
replacement parts in all affected premises.
The work must be carried out by a
qualified competent electrician.
Electrium supplies several brands to the UK
market. For details of affected products,
please visit the following web page for
assistance:
www.mcbexchange.co.uk/electrium.
Alternatively, call 0844 5564787.
NEWS IN BRIEF
4 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
The Council has sponsored the Trading
Standards Institute’s successful
conference and exhibition that took place in
Edinburgh at Edinburgh International
Conference Centre from Tuesday 15 June to
Thursday 17 June 2010. The conference
hosted interactive plenary sessions on each
day, as well as 120 exhibition stands and 41
mini theatre training sessions.
Through sponsoring the conference, the
Council raised its profile in Scotland both
with the enforcement community and
government and helped to further
strengthen its product safety credentials.
During the conference, the Council
presented an overview of its role in
supporting Trading Standards, in particular
raising awareness of the results of recent
findings from the ESC product testing
programme. The Council also talked to
Trading Standards Officers (TSOs) about the
successful launch of the ESC’s microsite on
the TS Interlink website and how it is used
to facilitate ‘instant’ two-way
communication with all TSOs and other
users of the TS interlink system relating to
electrical product safety issues.
COUNCIL SPONSORS TSI CONFERENCE
The UK standard for the safety of electrical
installations, BS 7671: 2008, is being
amended to further harmonise it with the
equivalent European Standard*, which is
itself based on an International Standard**.
A Draft for Public Comment was published
by the British Standards Institution in early
June. This is an opportunity for everyone
who has an interest in BS 7671 to comment
on the proposed changes. The deadline for
comments is 2 September.
There will, however, be limited scope for
radical change to the draft. This is because
the British Standard has to reflect the
technical intent of the European Standard,
and the various parts of that Standard have
already been accepted by, or in some cases
effectively imposed upon, the UK.
Should you wish to comment on the
proposed changes, the Draft for Public
Comment can be downloaded free of
charge from the IET website
(www.theiet.org/technical). Alternatively,
paper copies can be ordered from the IET or
BSI at cost.
Following consideration of all comments
received, BS 7671:2008 incorporating
Amendment No 1 is expected to be
published on 1 July 2011 and, following a
six-month transition period, to come into
full effect for the design of installations on 1
January 2012.
The amendments will not be published as a
separate document, but will be
incorporated in a new full version of the
regulations which, for the first time, will be
referred to as the ‘IET Wiring Regulations’. In
accordance with tradition, the first
amendment will have a green cover.
*CENELEC Harmonisation Document HD
60384: Electrical installations of buildings
** IEC Standard IEC 60364: Low voltage
electrical installations
AMENDMENT NO 1 TO THE ‘17TH EDITION’ – YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 5
As reported in previous issues of
Switched On, the ESC has taken a
number of initiatives in conjunction with
others to help improve the general standard
of domestic periodic inspection reporting.
One of these initiatives was to propose
changing the title, format and content of
the model periodic inspection report form
given in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 to make it
more informative and easier for
householders to understand, and to provide
a framework to enable inspectors to report
more clearly and comprehensively on the
condition of an electrical installation.
Consequently, the committee responsible
for the technical content of BS 7671 (Joint
IET/BSI Committee JPEL64) has developed a
new set of forms based on ESC proposals,
which have recently been made available
for trial purposes* in parallel with the Draft
for Public Comment for Amendment 1.
The name of the report has been changed
from ‘Periodic Inspection Report’ to
‘Electrical Installation Condition Report’, to
make it more meaningful to recipients.
The classification codes to be used for each
recorded observation have been made
clearer and more direct, as follows:
• Code C1 - Danger present. Risk of injury.
Immediate remedial action required
• Code C2 - Potentially dangerous - urgent
remedial action required
• Code C3 - Improvement recommended
The condition of an electrical installation
must be reported to be ‘unsatisfactory’ if any
observation is classified as C1 or C2.
There is no separate code for ‘requires
further investigation’ as it will be possible to
indicate separately against each observation
whether or not further investigation is
required.
Also, there is no equivalent to the existing
Recommendation Code 4, “Does not comply
with BS 7671: 2008. This does not imply that
the electrical installation inspected is unsafe.”
Such observations are no longer considered
relevant for a report on the condition of an
electrical installation, the purpose of which
is to record any damage, deterioration,
defects, dangerous conditions and non-
compliance with the requirements on the
current edition of BS 7671 which may give
rise to danger. (Regulation 634.2).
As in the existing Periodic Inspection
Report, the new Condition Report consists
of three parts, but these are all now custom-
designed for condition reporting purposes:
• A generic, two-page summary recording,
amongst other things, who the report
has been produced for, details of the
installation inspected and the extent and
limitations of the inspection; a summary
of the condition of the installation, and
the recommended remedial actions,
together with the observations made
that require action, together with their
classification codes and whether or not
each item requires further investigation
• One or more inspection schedules. There
are three types:
- An inspection schedule for a single
distribution board installation for
domestic and similar premises
- An inspection schedule for the main
intake and associated circuits for a
multiple distribution board
installation
- An inspection schedule for each
distribution board of a multiple
distribution board installation
Each schedule lists the elements of a
typical installation, against which the
outcome of their inspection (their
condition) can be recorded. Outcomes
can be ‘acceptable’ (tick), ‘unacceptable’
(code C1 or C2), ‘improvement
recommended’ (code C3), ‘limitation’ or
‘not applicable’ (to the particular
installation). A further column is provided
to indicate whether or not further
investigation of each item is required.
• A generic test results schedule.
As in the existing Periodic Inspection
Report, there are brief guidance notes for
both the recipient and the person
producing the condition report.
There has already been criticism in some
quarters that the new approach will result in
more paperwork and checklists for
inspectors to complete, but the new forms
have been designed not only with the
interests of the recipients in mind, but also
to help inspectors produce clearer and
more comprehensive condition reports. The
completion of condition reports should not
be viewed by inspectors as a ‘bureaucratic
paper-chasing exercise’, but as a valuable
and greatly improved professional service to
their customers, for whose benefit the new
forms have been designed.
*Those wishing to see, download or trial the
proposed new condition report forms can
access them by visiting
http://standardsproposals.bsigroup.com and
then searching for ‘7671’. To make comments
on them separately from the Draft for Public
Comment for Amendment 1, it will be
necessary to register with or log into the BSI
‘new proposal’ system on the BSI website. The
closing date for comments on the proposals
for Amendment 1 to BS 7671 is 2 September
NEW MODEL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONDITIONREPORT FORMS CURRENTLY BEING TRIALLED
6 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
Electricians not directly employed by the
electrical supply industry continue to
be denied permission to use the
distributor’s service fuse to isolate the
incoming supply to domestic premises
themselves in order to carry out work such
as the replacement of consumer units
safely and conveniently. As reported in the
spring issue, this is in spite of the electrical
installation industry’s efforts to get the
supply industry to change its policy.
Since then, the DCUSA* Working Group
has published a guidance document ‘to aid
non-industry parties in arranging de-
energisation’. This is in the form of answers
to ‘frequently asked questions’, which can
be found at: www.dcusa.co.uk/Public/Documents.aspx?t=11
The guidance is based on the supply
industry’s existing policy, which is to
require electricians to call upon the
particular electricity supplier for the
premises to arrange for their meter
operator to carry out the necessary de-
energisation and re-energisation process.
The guidance includes details of how to
contact the relevant supplier.
Electrical installation bodies are expected
to continue their efforts to get the supply
industry to authorise competent
electricians not directly employed in the
supply industry to access service fuses in
domestic premises as and when necessary,
in the same way as they already authorise
persons employed by meter operators.
* The Distribution, Connection and Use of
System Agreement (DCUSA) is a multi-party
contract between electricity distributors and
electricity suppliers/retailers. It governs the
main relationship between people who sell
electricity and the owners of the networks
that distribute it.
The standard version of the Council’s Essential Guide to the Wiring
Regulations is accessible online only, which means that users
need to be connected to the internet whenever using it.
The ESC would still like to hear from users or potential users who
would be interested in subscribing to an enhanced version of the
Essential Guide that could also be used on laptops, netbooks etc
offline when internet access is not available, such as may be the case
when users are away from their office or base.
As at the end of April, only 50 or so users or potential users of the
Guide have registered interest in an offline version through the
electrical information hub at www.eschub.org.uk.
With such a relatively low level of interest, it is unlikely to be
economically viable to develop an offline version.
However, the opportunity to register your interest in an offline
version will remain open until the end of August, at which time a
decision whether or not to proceed will be taken.
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE WIRING REGULATIONS –DO YOU WANT AN OFFLINE VERSION ?
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 7
We will report the final outcome of this enquiry in the next issue of Switched On.
ACCESS TO SERVICE FUSES: STILL DENIED
Plug into Safety, the Electrical Safety
Council’s new flagship campaign, is to run
over the next five years. The main aim of
the extensive programme of work is to take RCDs
into the mainstream – in much the same way that
smoke alarms are now recognised and used by
over 80% of the population. Its key message is
simple: “RCD protection could save your life”.
The campaign is designed to encourage and help
householders to reduce the risk of electrical
accidents in their homes by ensuring they have RCD
protection fitted.
Extensive industry research and a review of existing
evidence indicates that:
• more than half the homes in the UK – that’s 13
million - don’t have RCD protection installed
• that every week in the UK someone dies in their
home through an electrical-related accident; and
that thousands of people are injured every year
• on average, 19 people each year die in their
homes from electrocution and in 2007, around
50% of fires (around 21,000) in domestic
dwellings were attributed to an electrical cause
• almost all electrocutions in the home and 20% of
fires having an electrical origin (around 4,000)
could potentially have been prevented if RCD
protection had been present and in working order
in their consumer units.
Plug into Safety will urge householders to take five
minutes to carry out simple electrical safety checks
including a review of RCD protection. Phil Buckle,
director general at the Electrical Safety Council,
said: “There couldn’t be a better time to launch the
Plug into Safety campaign. Now is the time when
many people will be getting out in the garden or
doing DIY and using lots of power tools, and
currently more than half of UK homes – that’s 13
million - don’t have RCD protection in their fusebox.
“It’s up to the industry to lead the way in
encouraging householders to install RCDs and take
basic safety measures so that UK families are
protected from the potential dangers of electricity.”
The campaign will raise general awareness of
electrical safety and encourage householders to:
• Check plug sockets, electrical appliances,
lighting and switches for any that are faulty or
damaged
• Consider upgrading to a modern fusebox with
built-in RCDs or install plug-in RCDs
• Contact a registered electrician with any
concerns about electrical safety.
The Council wants to help and support the electrical
industry to lead the way in encouraging
householders to install RCDs. The public needs to
be aware of the issues so that householders can
take basic safety measures to protect themselves
and their families from the hazards of electricity.
The ESC knows that the electrical industry is
passionate about consumer safety and would
welcome the opportunity to help promote it to their
customers – and to support a campaign of this type.
The Council believes that electricians and others
within the electrical industry such as electrical
manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers can play a
vital role as intermediaries to help reach people to
deliver key messages about the use and benefits of
RCD protection.
Plug into Safety: The ESC’s five-year RCD
“The
campaign is
designed to
encourage
and help
householders
to reduce the
risk of
electrical
accidents in
their
homes....”
8 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
The ESC has developed a range of tools for
intermediaries to use to engage with this campaign.
For example, a toolkit for electricians will provide their
customers with impartial, user-friendly, practical,
expert advice on electrical safety.
The toolkit includes a range of electrical safety
guidance that electricians can pass on to their
customers that will help explain to people the need for
RCD protection and also provide householders with
other simple messages and practical tips on electrical
safety that could one day save their lives.
To complement this activity, the ESC is promoting the
safety benefits of RCDs when using electrical
equipment for gardening or DIY. There will be
partnerships with manufacturers of electrical products,
who will provide advice in product packaging, and with
retailers via in-store displays and activity that will
encourage consumers to consider electrical safety
when embarking on higher-risk activities.
With the support of electricians and others, we can
help to overcome the key challenges facing this
campaign and to help householders to understand the
need for RCD protection.
The barriers include:
• consumers’ lack of knowledge about what an RCD
is and does
• the perception of cost
• the blasé attitude towards the safety risks…”it will
never happen to me”.
A national and regional media campaign will run
throughout this year to support the full range of
campaign activity and to reinforce the key messages: in
particular that “RCD protection could save your life”.
‘Plug into Safety’ campaign toolkits will be available
through wholesalers and other industry partners from
mid-July onwards. For more information about the full
range of activity involved in this campaign or to find out
how to obtain the toolkit, go to www.esc.org.uk/rcd
or email [email protected]
D campaign
Media stories needed – win an iPod Touch!
Have you suffered from an electric shock orelectrical fire? Perhaps you’ve been called in to helpmake a home safe after its owner has suffered fromone? Share your story and help raise awarenessabout the importance of electrical safety in thehome – and get the chance to win an ipod!
The Electrical Safety Council is looking for storiesabout electrical shocks or fires that could have beenprevented by an RCD. Whether you’ve sufferedyourself or are an electrician who has witnessed theconsequences - if you have a story to tell - pleasecontact Jacqueline Culleton [email protected]
or 020 7403 2230.
Eligible stories will be entered into a free prize draw to win an ipod
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 9
10 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
Ascertiva Group Ltd is the new name for
NICEIC Group Ltd , the trading subsidiary
of the Electrical Safety Council.
Ascertiva Group’s key brands remain NICEIC,
the UK’s largest certification body for
electrical contractors and NQA, a global
management certification provider.
The “Ascertiva” brand is a composite name,
representing the three main activities of the
company: Assessment, Certification and
Verification. It has been designed to be
recognised internationally and the tick logo
denotes the positive action of certification
on industry, business and government.
“We have changed our name so that we can
communicate effectively and conduct
business at a Group level, without
compromising our key brands,” explains
Emma McCarthy, chief operating officer,
Ascertiva Group. “For our NICEIC and NQA
customers it is very much business as usual.”
NICEIC and NQA are not affected by the
name change and no customer will need to
change company livery, letterheads or
certificates. Ascertiva Group’s surplus is gift
aided to its parent company , the Electrical
Safety Council so it can fulfil its charitable
aims.
For more details on the company log onto
www.ascertiva.com
NICEIC GROUP RENAMED ASCERTIVA
Development is underway to provide the
electrical trade and industry with a
central reference source that will contain
comprehensive technical information and
guidance from ESC engineers.
The ESC hub was launched in January this
year and currently provides access to the
Essential Guide to the Wiring Regulations –
the definitive source of guidance to the
Wiring Regulations. The rest of our industry
publications remain on the Council’s main
website at www.esc.org.uk. In order to
provide clearer definition between its
industry and consumer communications, the
Council is expanding the content of the hub
which will house all of the guidance that it
currently produces and much more.
The Hub will grow to include the full range
of Best Practice Guides, technical articles,
back copies of Switched On magazine and a
user-friendly on-line version of each current
issue. It will be updated regularly with
industry news and events and the topics
raised via the industry forum will also be
posted regularly. Users can register to
receive regular news and articles direct from
the Electrical Safety Council.
The launch date for the Hub is November
this year. Make sure to save it in your
favourites!
COUNCIL’S ELECTRICAL INFORMATION HUB SET FOR NOVEMBER REVAMP WWW.ESCHUB.ORG.UK
The Council has been working to develop a
robust data set that details the numbers of
fires, deaths and injuries in the UK caused by
electricity. Current government data on
deaths is not held in a single place for the
whole of the UK, and injury data has not been
collected since the end of the Home Accident
Surveillance System and Leisure Accident
Surveillance System in 2002. RoSPA is leading
a campaign to get this data collection
reinstated, which is currently being piloted by
the South West Health Observatory, work that
the Electrical Safety Council strongly supports.
While the Department for Communities and
Local Government (DCLG) does hold accurate
fires statistics, this is not published in full.
Using data gathered from the World Health
Organisation, we now know that in 2007, the
last year for which full data is available, there
were 19 deaths outside the workplace as a
result of electrocution and electrical burns. It
is likely that the majority, if not all of these,
could have been prevented by use of an RCD.
Working with the DCLG, it is now clear that
there were over 21,000 household fires in
2007 as a result of misuse of, and faults with,
electrical goods and products. This represents
about half of all domestic fires in the UK.
As mentioned earlier, no data is collected on
the number of injuries as a result of electricity.
However, a recent survey by Ipsos-Mori on
behalf of the Electrical Safety Council
indicated that 12% of people in the UK had
experienced a serious electric shock at home.
This includes shocks resulting in physical
injury only, not just people feeling slight
discomfort from an electrical current. The
biggest causes of injuries were using faulty
equipment, which accounted for 23% of
injuries, repairing devices which were
plugged in (13% of injuries) and touching
switches with wet hands (10% of injuries).
Having such accurate data ensures that the
Electrical Safety Council can target its work to
areas where it can be most effective. This will
also inform the public affairs work to
encourage politicians to support measures to
increase electrical safety in UK homes. It
highlights that there is still work to be done
to protect people from unsafe wiring and
electrical goods, especially in fire prevention.
ROBUST ACCIDENT DATA ANALYSIS NEEDED
The Electrical Safety Council exhibited at
the Sparks Expo for the first time in April.
The event was aimed at apprentice
electricians and was attended by around
2,000 apprentices and their lecturers.
The reason for attending was the belief that,
by developing a closer relationship with
young electricians, the ESC can provide
guidance and knowledge to them
throughout the course of their careers in the
electrical industry. Raising awareness of
Council resources to lecturers was also key
and all the lecturers were very
complimentary about ESC Best Practice
Guides and Switched On magazine and
considered the Essential Guide a valuable
teaching resource.
The Council held two seminars on safe
isolation procedures which were attended
by over 100 apprentices over the two days,
at which lock-out kits were distributed to
attendees. The purpose was to convey the
importance of safety, both for the
electricians themselves but also for their
colleagues and customers during their
future careers.
� ’Lock-out kits’Tim Benstead, Senior Engineer talks to young apprentices
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 11
The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) has
been set up to investigate and address
the issue of unsafe, non-approved and
counterfeit cables in the UK marketplace.
The UK market for electrical cables and
systems has an approximate value of £2bn.
It is estimated that up to 20% of cable
product in the cable systems supply chain is
unsafe, non-approved or counterfeit. This
results in major concerns for the entire
industry, from manufacturer through
installer to end user, who may not even be
aware of the significant health and safety
threat it poses or the legal ramifications for
the organisation or individual. The ACI, with
industry and regulator support, will be
looking to educate the electrical industry
about purchasing and installing such cables
and raise awareness of the existence of
unscrupulous manufacturers and
distributors.
The launch, held in Westminster on 2 March
2010, was hosted by the British Cables
Association (BCA) with widespread support
from industry bodies including the Electrical
Safety Council, the British Approvals Service
for Cables (BASEC), Electrical Distributors
Association (EDA); Electrical Contractors’
Association (ECA), and the NICEIC.
The ACI is urging the supply chain
to routinely check cable markings
and cable reels, looking in
particular for a manufacturer’s
identification that they recognise,
so if there is a problem it will help
to trace the cable back through
the supply chain. It recommends
using an independent third-party
approved cable. If you sell, supply,
or install unsafe cable, you
contravene health and safety
regulations, you could void insurances and
could face serious criminal allegations
which might result in a custodial sentence.
The ACI has pledged to educate the
electrical supply chain through a
communication programme of seminars,
marketing material and articles to national
trade media. For suspect importers,
manufacturers and distributors, the ACI will
be direct in its approach to investigate and
publicise the results. The ACI is also
implementing a co-ordinated approach to
Government to enforce and develop
legislation ensuring that only cables that
fully comply with British, European or
International standards and carry a third
party certification can be manufactured for
sale, offered for sale, distributed or installed
in the UK.
The ACI will regularly test samples of cables
suspected of being unsafe or non-approved,
and if found to be unsafe details will be
passed to the Police, Trading Standards and
the Health and Safety Executive.
It is the intention of the ACI to name and
shame any companies, wholesalers,
distributors or installers who persistently use
these dangerous, non-approved cables.
However, the ACI would hope that by
highlighting the issue to the industry these
companies will voluntarily start to adopt
safe and approved cables.
The ACI welcomes any examples of suspect
faulty, non-approved or counterfeit cables.
These can be sent to ACI for testing and
advice by contacting ACI at
[email protected] or on 01908 267300.
APPROVED CABLES INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
SUCCESS FOR COUNCIL AT SPARKS EXPO
�
12 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
The answers to several new commonly-
asked questions have been added to the
Forum’s website since the previous issue of
Switched On was published, including:
• Can I use an electrical connector having
‘push fit’ connections that the
manufacturer claims are maintenance free
in an area that will be inaccessible when
the installation is complete?
• When the designer of an electrical
installation does not intend the steel wire
armour of a cable, or a metallic cable
management system such as conduit or
trunking, to be used as a circuit protective
conductor, and a separate protective
conductor is employed, does the designer:
a) need to verify that in the event of a fault,
line to armour or line to cable
management system, the associated
disconnection time is met?
b) need to verify the suitability of the cross-
sectional area of the armour or cable
management system for the earth fault
current?
• After replacing a consumer unit, it is found
that there is a shared neutral between the
upstairs and downstairs lighting circuits.
Can the lighting be put onto one circuit to
avoid the RCD tripping if the homeowner
will not pay to rectify a pre-existing fault?
In addition, a revised answer has been given
to the previously-published question “Is a
cooker switch or cooker control unit required to
be provided as means of emergency switching
for an electric cooker?” (NDQ35)
For the industry-agreed answers to these
and many other commonly-asked questions
relating to the application of the 17th
Edition, please visit www.esc.org.uk/forum
The ESC recommends that those following
the guidance provided by the Forum visit
the site at least every couple of months to
see what other additions and amendments
have been made.
Best Practice Guide No 1 Replacing a
consumer unit in domestic premises where
lighting circuits have no protective conductor
has been updated, and supersedes the
original issue. The latest version of the
Guide, Issue 2, was published on the main
ESC website in April.
Work is due to start on updating two other
published Best Practice Guides: BPG3 on the
subject of connecting microgeneration
systems to domestic electrical installations,
and BPG4 on the subject of domestic
periodic inspection reporting (condition
reporting).
Work has commenced on two new Best
Practice Guides, one on the subject of the
accuracy and consistency of electrical
installation test instruments, and the other
on the limitations of some types of plug-in
socket-outlet test devices.
Progress on the development of these new
and amended Guides will be reported in the
next issue of Switched On.
All our Best Practice Guides can be
viewed at, or downloaded from the
‘Business and Community’ section of
our main website, www.esc.org.uk.
BEST PRACTICE GUIDES: AN UPDATE
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION FORUM – 17TH EDITION GUIDANCE
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 13
In order to continue to raise the profile of
the ESC’s product safety activities in the
UK, Europe and internationally, the Council
will be taking a major role at the
International Consumer Product Health and
Safety Organisation (ICPHSO) symposium in
London in November.
The theme for the 2010 symposium ‘The
Evolution of product safety in the EU and
beyond: the threats it faces and its adaptability
to the increasingly distended supply chain’
recognises the need for the product safety
community to share information and to
discuss workable solutions for improving
the safety of electrical products in a
globalised marketplace.
The event, to be held at Sheraton Park Lane
Hotel, Green Park, London on 29 – 30
November, will provide an opportunity for
product safety professionals and consumer
champions from all over the world to share
information, exchange ideas and discuss
issues of a common concern.
Over the two days a wide range of topics
will be discussed through a mix of plenary
sessions and interactive breakout sessions.
Although not yet finalised, the programme
is expected to raise awareness of and
promote active debate on product safety
issues such as:
• History of product safety in the EU
• Co-operation and need for information
exchange
• Counterfeiting and non-compliant
products
• Approaches to market surveillance in the
EU and in non-EU countries
• Need for injury reporting systems and
injury databases
• Emerging hazards and vulnerable people
• Development of standards and policies
The Council is taking the lead role in the
plenary session on counterfeiting. It will also
be presenting at other plenary sessions and
breakout sessions, as well as being an
exhibitor at the event.
ICPHSO, of which the Council is a member,
holds a unique position in its ability to
attract the interest of a broad range of
health and safety professionals and
interested consumers, world-wide. The
organisation provides a forum for the
exchange of ideas and sharing of
information among government, industry,
trade organisations, legal representatives,
academia, standards writers, consumer
advocates and interested individuals.
The event promises to be the definitive view
on electrical product safety and is open to
everyone, but please note that registrations
are as always limited.
For further information on the
symposium and updates on the event
programme keep an eye on the
website www.esc.org.uk. And, to book
your place at the event visit the ICPHSO
website www.icphso.org.
COUNCIL TO TAKE LEADING ROLE AT INTERNATIONALPRODUCT SAFETY SYMPOSIUM
Voltimum and GAMBICA have become
the newest signatories of the industry
charter to combat the trade in counterfeit
electrical products and the proliferation of
equipment that fails to comply with the
appropriate standards.
The charter was introduced in 2008 by
BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied
Manufacturers Association), the EDA
(Electrical Distributors’ Association), ECA
(Electrical Contractors’ Association) and
SELECT (Scotland’s trade association for the
electrical, electronics and communications
systems industry).
Since then, many leading industry
organisations have added their name to the
charter, including the Electrical Safety
Council, alongside BASEC, LIF, BCA, Intertek,
Alliance Against IP Theft, Trading Standards
Institute and now Voltimum and GAMBICA.
The charter commits signatory members to
refuse to trade in counterfeit or non-
compliant products. The aim is to drive
dangerous or sub-standard equipment from
the UK market.
The electrical industry sees the charter as a
major move forwards in combating the
counterfeiters – a unified front
encompassing the associations working
together on practical and effective solutions
to stem the threat from counterfeit and
non-compliant electrical products.
For more information visit
www.counterfeit-kills.com
VOLTIMUM AND GAMBICA ARE THE LATEST TO SIGNANTI-COUNTERFEIT CHARTER
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14 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
If downlighters are covered with thermal
insulation, such as can occur in loft spaces,
a fire hazard can be created due to
overheating of the lamp and the presence of
fuel for combustion.
The obvious source of ignition in a
downlighter is the hot lamp. However, this
may not be the only cause of ignition, as
prolonged exposure to high temperatures via
conduction or convection will cause
potentially combustible materials around the
lamp to become completely dried out and
prone to ignition. A common example is
where downlighters sited too close to roof
timbers cause localised charring.
The strange smell that may be experienced
when a downlighter is switched on after a
period of non-use, often results from the
primary ignition of dust particles on the lamp
surface. This can be the source of a fire if
other combustible elements are available to
allow the fire to propagate.
Dust build-up on the lamp can occur from
both above the lamp such as from particles
in the loft space, or from below the lamp in
the form of household dust, hair, cobwebs
and cooking fat. These materials are drawn
up through the downlighter, which acts as a
hot chimney into the loft space.
Keeping thermal insulation clear of
downlighters, and keeping downlighters
clear of combustible materials such as roof
timbers, is an obvious first step in preventing
a fire risk.
However, it is clear that vermin disturbance
and ventilation within a loft, as well as the
activities of the householder can, and do,
cause insulation materials to be disturbed,
which may then come into contact with the
downlighter.
The problem is exacerbated when certain
loose-fill insulation materials are present that
may lose their fire-retardant properties if
subjected to heating over an extended
period. Consequently, simply leaving a gap
between thermal insulation and
downlighters may not be a long-term
solution to the problem.
A long-term and effective solution is to
isolate the downlighter from the surrounding
materials whilst ensuring that this does not
cause overheating of the downlighter.
Product standards in the USA and other
countries have produced a range of 100%
safe manufactured solutions for
downlighters. In the USA, these are termed IC
rated downlighters, the IC standing for
Insulation Compatible.
In the UK, such downlighters, often referred
to as ‘capped-F’, are covered by the
BS EN 60598.1 and BS EN 60598.2.2 product
standards. These downlighters have
previously been marked with the capped-F
logo, meaning that it has been confirmed by
testing that either the downlighter itself, or
the downlighter fitted with an appropriate
cover, is suitable for use when covered with
insulation.
Capped-F logo
The vast majority of replacement lamps now
available for downlighters are the dichroic
reflector type rather than the aluminium
reflector type. Dichroic lamps are designed to
dissipate most of the heat through the back
rather than in the direction of the light beam,
and so increase the temperature at potential
ignition points of the downlighter.
DOWNLIGHTERSWe look at the issues surrounding the potentially combustible mix of downlighters and thermal insulation
A long-term solution is to isolate the downlighter from the surrounding materials whilstensuring that this does not cause overheating of the downlighter (courtesy of Tenmat)
Loose-fill insulation covering downlighter(courtesy of Tenmat)
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 15
The Lighting Association has issued a
technical bulletin to members following
an article in the winter 2009 edition of
Switched On.
LATB 10.07 Downlighters – can they be a fire
hazard? has been issued after the Lighting
Association’s Technical Committee met to
discuss the article and referenced report in
Switched On.
The technical bulletin advises members
that:
• Downlights should comply to
EN 60598-1
• Downlights should be correctly marked
with maximum lamp wattage and
appropriate symbols
• Installation instructions should contain
information on the clearance required
such that insulation is not placed
around or over the downlight (unless
the downlight is suitable for such use).
The LA recommends that members
upgrade their marking to comply with the
2008 edition of EN 60598-1. This edition
gives an improved symbol for downlights
not suitable for covering with insulation
which has minimum size requirements
such that it is visible above the ceiling after
installation.
It also includes a new symbol for
downlights not suitable for normally
flammable ceilings.
LIGHTING ASSOCIATION ISSUES TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON
DOWNLIGHTERS: LATB 10.07
a BURNING ISSUE?
Therefore, to provide a long-term and fire-
safe solution for downlighters penetrating an
insulated loft space, then any downlighter or
downlighter cover should be of the type that
has been tested and approved for safe
operation when covered with thermal
insulation and when fitted with the highest
available wattage of dichroic lamp (generally
50 W), as such a lamp is likely to be fitted at
some future time.
A common misunderstanding in this area is
that fire-rated downlighters and fire-rated
downlighter covers are always safe for use
when covered with insulation. This is not
generally the case. Fire-rated downlighters
and fire-rated covers cannot be assumed to
be suitable for being covered with insulation
unless the products they have been
specifically tested and approved for such use.
Conversely, however, downlighters and
covers that are suitable for use when covered
with insulation are often fire-rated.
Energy efficiency
Downlighters can act as hot chimneys,
drawing heat out of living areas into loft
spaces, which has led to many downlighters
being covered in insulation.
For loft insulation to function as intended, it
should ideally be fitted to be continuous and
uninterrupted across the loft space. Building
Regulations do not prohibit leaving a small
area around downlighters free from
insulation where it is necessary to permit the
dissipation of the heat they generate if
measures are taken to mitigate the reduction
in insulation. However, such gaps in the
thermal insulation can significantly reduce its
overall effectiveness.
The fitting of a suitable capped-F
downlighter or downlighter cover allows the
insulation to be continuous and provides
almost the same thermal performance as for
a ceiling without downlighters. This energy-
saving benefit is additional to the fire safety
benefits gained by installing fire-rated
downlighters or covers.
Thanks to Tenmat for its help in the production
of this article.
Checklist for downlighters
penetrating an insulated loft
1) Check that the downlighters are ofthe type that has been fully approvedand tested for being covered ininsulation – that is, fully tested andapproved to the BS EN 60598.1 andBS EN 60598.2.2 product standards.Standard fire-rated downlighters andfire-rated hoods are generallyunsuitable for covering withinsulation.
2) If the downlighters are not fullyapproved and tested for beingcovered with insulation, they shouldbe replaced with appropriateproducts or protected with adownlighter cover which is fullyapproved to be covered with thermalinsulation.
3) Check that the downlighter ordownlighter cover is of a type thathas been fully tested with the highestwattage dichroic lamp available(generally 50 W).
16 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
Kitchen designers sometimes ask for the
electrical appliances in a kitchen – such as
the dishwasher, washing machine, tumble
dryer, fridge, freezer and microwave oven – to
be controlled from a single switching position
located in the kitchen.
The electrical installation designer is then
tasked with designing a circuit, or a number
of circuits, arranged so that the supplies to
all the appliances are switched at one
position. Final connections are provided by
outlets adjacent to each appliance. The
type of outlet should generally be either a
13 A socket-outlet or a 13 A switched fused
connection unit, as these provide a means
of switching off for mechanical
maintenance where necessary.
There are a number of ways that the kitchen
designer’s requirement for the appliances
switched from a single position can be met,
either with radial final circuits or with one or
more adapted ring final circuits.
Radial final circuit solutions
With radial final circuits, protection against
overload can be achieved simply, by
applying the requirements of Regulations
433.1.1 to 433.1.3 relating to co-ordination
between the design current of the circuit,
the rated current of overload protective
device (fuse or overcurrent circuit-breaker)
and the current-carrying capacity of
conductors.
One solution would be to run a single radial
circuit from the consumer unit to a ganged
switch arrangement with fuses, where the
circuit would branch to supply individual
appliances. However, there may be practical
difficulties terminating the conductors of
the circuit at the switch position due to
their required cross-sectional area (csa)
being relatively large.
Alternatively, a separate radial circuit could
be run from the consumer unit to each
appliance, via a common grouped switch
position. The main advantage with this
solution is that a fault on one radial circuit
would not affect the supply to other radial
circuits.
Adapted ring final circuit solutions
As an alternative to radial final circuits, a
solution adopted by some electrical
installation designers is to adapt a ring final
circuit to supply a multiple (ganged) switch
position. From the switch position, spurs
(cable branches) supply socket outlets or
fused connection units adjacent to each
appliance.
A similar solution also employs the adapted
ring final circuit but uses ganged switches
with fuses at the grouped position. This
solution may have the added advantage of
permitting smaller csa conductors for the
spurs.
However, for each of the above ring circuit
solutions, because the multiple switch
arrangement represents a ‘fixed load’ on the
circuit at the grouped switch position, it
would be unwise to rely on the ‘deemed to
comply’ status for such circuits regarding
overload protection. Regulation 433.1.5
indicates that, for a ring final circuit, the
requirements for overload protection are
deemed to be met only if all the stated
conditions are met. As a consequence, the
electrical installation designer could have
some difficulty in establishing that
protection against overload has been
achieved for an adapted ring final circuit.
Indeed, there are circumstances where it
can be seen that protection against
overload is not achieved with an adapted
ring final circuit.
For example, two of the conditions of
Regulation 433.1.5 are that the current-
carrying capacity (Iz) of the cable is not less
than 20 A and, under the intended
CONTROLLING DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES FROM A
SINGLE SWITCHING POSITION
conditions of use, the load current in any
part of the ring is unlikely to exceed Iz for
long periods. Suppose the circuit was wired
in 2.5/1.5 mm2 (twin and earth) pvc-
insulated and sheathed flat cable to BS 6004
installed directly in a thermally insulated
stud wall and in contact with the inner
surface of the wall (Reference Method 102),
the highest ambient temperature being
30 oC, such that the current-carrying
capacity (Iz) of the cable was 21 A (column
4 of Table 4D5A of BS 7671 Appendix 4
refers).
If the steady state load current in the ring
final circuit at the grouped switching
position was 32 A, and the switching
position was located at a point less than
one-third of the total ring loop length from
the origin of the circuit, the current-carrying
capacity of the cable would be exceeded,
but the 32 A overcurrent protective device
of the circuit would not operate.
Enclosures containing live parts of more
than one circuit
Where an enclosure contains live parts not
capable of being isolated by a single device,
for example, a ganged switch arrangement
containing a number of circuits (as
mentioned above), Regulation 514.11.1 (by
reference to Regulation 537.2.1.3) requires a
durable warning notice to be provided to
alert a person to the need for isolation at all
the necessary points before gaining access
to the live parts. The notice need not be
normally visible, so long as it becomes
visible before access to live parts is possible.
The electrical industry has thrown its full
weight behind the new AM2
Assessment of Occupational Competence
(AOC), launched in April by NET (National
Electrotechnical Training). This is
recognised as the electrical industry’s
benchmark for an individual’s competence.
“This launch is the culmination of two years
of industry consultation,” said NET’s
business development manager, Stephen
Plant. “The new AM2 has been designed by
the industry, for the industry. We are
confident that the modifications will
reinforce it as the stamp to show that its
holders and their employers are capable of
providing the highest possible level of
service to clients in today’s environment.”
There are many changes to the new
standard that came in on 12 April this year.
Some of the major amendments are:
• Has become competence based (as
opposed to systems based)
• Now has four sections; three practical
and one theoretical
• The first three sections cover the
interpretation of specifications,
drawings and diagrams; installation and
termination of identified wiring systems;
safe isolation; risk assessment;
inspection, testing and certification; as
well as diagnosis and correction of
electrical faults. The fourth part is a 60
minute multi-choice questionnaire
• Safe isolation section is now a 100%
pass requirement
• Inspection and testing is now carried
out to Wiring Regs documentation
• Greater degree of live testing
• Old or specialist materials have been
removed – eg there is no longer any
pyro cable
• The addition of a Renewable Energy
System, Data cabling
• Guidance: Candidate self-assessment
checklist
• A new marking and administration
system.
Candidates are expected to install the
following circuits in accordance with
industry-recognised procedures, working
practices and the requirements of statutory
and non-statutory regulations:
• Protective devices in a TP&N distribution
board
• A two-way and intermediate lighting
circuit in PVC/PVC multi-core cable
• A BS 1363 13A socket outlet ring circuit
in PVC singles cable
• A carbon monoxide detector safety
service circuit in FP200 type cable
• Data outlets circuit in Cat. 5 cable
• A BS EN 60309 16A socket outlet in
XLPE SWA cable
• Protective equipotential bonding to gas
and water services
• A 3-phase direct on line motor/starter
circuit in SY cable
• An S Plan central heating and hot water
system with a solar thermal sustainable
energy element utilising heat resistant
flexible cable and PVC singles cable.
More information about the new AM2
assessment and the Scottish FICA
assessment is available on the redesigned
NET website at www.netservices.org.uk.
INDUSTRY REVISES AM2 COMPETENCE STANDARD
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 17
Single switching positions in summary
Either radial circuits or adapted ring final circuits may provide a solution for controlling
several electrical appliances from a single switching position.
Radial circuits generally provide a more flexible solution than adapted ring final circuits.
However, depending on the particular arrangement adopted, terminating conductors of
larger csa may be a problem.
With adapted ring final circuits, the effect of the load current at the grouped switching
position on the distribution of currents in the ring must be fully assessed.
Where an enclosure contains live parts of more than one circuit, installers must ensure that
persons are suitably warned by notices of the hazards prior to gaining access to live parts
18 SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010
Rewireable (semi-enclosed) fuses to
BS 3036 are commonly found in
consumer units, distribution boards and
other switchgear in older domestic and non
domestic installations – particularly
installations more than 20 years old.
Where an installation having rewireable fuses
is periodically inspected, altered or extended,
the inspector or designer (as applicable) will
have to consider whether
BS 7671 still allows such fuses to be used, or
whether they should be replaced with circuit
breakers or cartridge fuses.
Can rewireable fuses still be used?
In a word, yes.
BS 7671 permits the use of rewireable fuses
complying with BS 3036 (although Regulation
533.1.1.3 prefers fuses to be of the cartridge
type). Therefore, rewireable fuses can still be
used, for existing and new installations.
Related considerations
A number of considerations relating to the
use of rewireable fuses are listed below.
Maintainability
With rewireable fuses there is a risk of the
fuse wire being replaced, inadvertently or
deliberately, with one having a higher fusing
current than intended for the circuit, resulting
in reduced effectiveness of the protection
given by the fuse.
This risk is usually acceptably low, even in
domestic premises. Many millions of
rewireable fuses have provided satisfactory
service in the UK over many years.
Nevertheless, the inspector/designer should
assess the degree of risk, to help him/her
judge if there are any special circumstances
that would make rewireable fuses
unacceptable in the particular installation.
Account should be taken of an assessment of
the frequency and quality of maintenance
that the installation can reasonably be
expected to receive, which is called for by
Regulation 341.1.
Fusing factor
BS 3036 allows a rewireable fuse to have a
fusing factor (the ratio of the minimum
fusing current to the rated current) of up to
2.0. This value is higher than the typical value
of 1.25 to 1.6 for other types of device
commonly used for overload protection
(such as fuses to BS 1361 or BS 88, and circuit
breakers to BS EN 60898 or BS EN 60947 2),
depending on the type.
To compensate for this high fusing factor
where a rewireable fuse is used for overload
protection, Regulation 433.1.3 requires the
current-carrying capacity of the circuit cable
to be not less than In divided by 0.725 (where
In is the rated current of the fuse). This can
mean that a larger cable size is needed than
if another type of overload protective device
of the same rated current had been used.
However, this is not the case for a 30 A or
32 A ring final circuit, where Regulation
433.1.5 allows a minimum size of 2.5 mm2
(copper) for the line and neutral conductors
of the circuit, even if the protective device is
a BS 3036 rewireable fuse (rated at 30 A).
The requirement for the cable current-
carrying capacity to be not less than In
divided by 0.725 does not apply for a circuit
where overload protection may be omitted
(see Regulation Group 433.3). An example is
a circuit supplying only an electric heater, as
the circuit would be unlikely to carry
overload current (Regulation 433.3.1(ii) refers).
However, the cable must still have a current
carrying capacity of not less than the load
current (I∆), and protection against fault
current must still be provided for the cable
(Section 434 of BS 7671 refers).
Breaking capacity rating
BS 3036 rewireable fuses have a relatively low
short-circuit breaking capacity rating, as
shown in Table 1. This compares with
typically 6 kA or more for modern circuit-
breakers to BS EN 60898, or over 16.5 kA for
cartridge fuses to BS 1361 or BS 88,
depending on type.
No less than any other fault current protective
device type, rewireable fuses must be chosen
to meet the breaking capacity requirements
of Regulation 434.5.1. That is to say, the rated
short circuit breaking capacity must be not
less than the maximum prospective fault
current at the point where the fuse is
installed, except where back up protection
meeting specified requirements is provided
by another device. It can be difficult to meet
the requirements of Regulation 434.5.1 using
BS 3036 fuses, due to their low breaking
capacity, shown in Table 1.
However, where incorporated in a consumer
unit, BS 3036 rewireable fuses are considered
adequate for prospective fault currents of up
to 16 kA, provided the consumer unit:
• conforms to BS EN 60439-3 including
Annex ZA, and
• is fed by a single-phase supply of nominal
voltage 230 V through a service cut-out
having an HBC fuse to BS 1361 Type II,
rated at not more than 100 A.
Use by ‘ordinary persons’
Some inspectors and designers may have
wondered whether the words in bold in the
following extract from Regulation 533.1.1.2
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ASKED … CAN REWIREABLE FUSES STILL BE USED?
(at 0.8 to 0.9 power
factor, lagging)
(at 0.7 to 0.8 power
factor, lagging)
(at 0.7 to 0.8 power
factor, lagging)
Table 1 – Rated breaking capacity ofBS 3036 rewireable fuses
Category of duty Breaking capacity
S1A 1 kA
S2A 2 kA
S4A 4 kA
Notes: 1. BS 3036 fuses in consumer units typically
have a rated short-circuit breaking capacity
of 2 kA.
2. BS 3036 fuses are also tested in circuits
with a power factor of 0.4 to 0.5 lagging at
a current of between 5 and 7 times the
minimum fusing current
Drawing courtesy of British Standards Institution
rule out rewireable fuses where these will be
used by ordinary persons:
Fuses having fuse links likely to be removed
or replaced by persons other than or
instructed persons or skilled persons shall be
of a type which complies with the safetyrequirements of BS 88.
However, this is not the intention of the
regulation. To clarify this, it is expected that
the regulation will be revised as part of
Amendment No 1 to BS 7671, due to be
issued in mid 2011, so that the words in bold
above will be replaced by ‘complies with
BS 88-3 or BS 3036’.
Asbestos
Asbestos forms part of the fuse assemblies of
some older types of fuseboard and
consumer unit. Fibres from the asbestos can
pose a risk of lung cancer and lung diseases
to anyone working on or removing such
equipment.
Guidance on safe replacement of the
equipment is given in Publication a 33 –
Replacing an asbestos containing fuse box or a
single fuse assembly, issued by the Health
Safety Executive. This may be downloaded
free at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns
/guidance/a33.pdf
SwitchedOn Issue 17 - Summer 2010 19
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is
warning employers and employees,
particularly outdoor workers, to be wary of
overhead power lines.
This follows the prosecution of three
companies in the last quarter of 2009 that
exposed workers to the dangers of working
near high voltage (HV)* overhead power lines.
In total, the companies were fined £31,600
and ordered to pay costs totalling £30,190.
The three separate incidents involved contact
with live HV overhead power lines by a ladder,
the telescopic mechanical arm of a
telehandler and the extending arm of a waste
tipping vehicle. Two incidents involved 11 kV
lines and the other a 33 kV line.
Although nobody was killed, five workers
suffered burns. One worker’s foot was so
badly damaged by the current flowing
through him to earth that he had to have one
toe and part of another toe amputated.
Company responsibilities
Companies are required to ensure that all
employees are adequately trained and
supervised with regard to the hazards to
which they may be exposed whilst at work,
but especially young employees, who
statistically are more at risk of injury in the
workplace.
Overhead power lines, like any energised
electrical system, are a potential danger.
Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 (EAWR) requires that any
work carried out near such systems should
not give rise to danger.
Failure of companies to recognise
workplace hazards, such as the dangers of
electricity, puts the lives of their employees
at risk. In 2007/08, under the Reporting of
Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrence Regulations 1995** (those
requiring over three days off work), there
were 433 reported injuries to employees
that involved contact with electricity or
electrical discharge, nine of which were
fatal.
Electrical safety guidance
It is important to remember that HV power
lines do not need to be touched for
electricity to be conducted to a body or
metallic implement – high voltage
electricity can arc or jump across air gaps.
Generally, where work near live overhead
power lines is unavoidable, a safe working
distance should be maintained. The HSE
guidance sheet Working safely near overhead
power lines (Agriculture information sheet
No 8)*** recommends that, when using
machinery near wooden poles carrying
overhead power lines, a ground level safe
working distance of at least 9 m horizontally
from the nearest overhead power line is
maintained.
It may be advisable to adopt the 9m
guidance as a general workplace rule.
However, where work involves machinery
with telescopic or folding arms the safe
working distance may need increasing
above 9m. Consideration should be given to
the height of the particular machine and
the potential extension of the arm.
HSE Guidance Note GS6 Avoidance of danger
from overhead electric power lines****
recommends protective measures to reduce
the risk of contact with overhead lines. GS6
recommends that to prevent the passage of
machinery under overhead power lines,
ground level barriers, such as 40 gallon rubble
filled oil drums, should be positioned at
regular intervals parallel to, but at least 6m
horizontally from the nearest overhead power
line.
Additionally, to provide further indication to
machine operators of the presence of
overhead power lines, GS6 recommends the
erection of non-conducting goal posts linked
by a line of coloured flags mounted at an
appropriate height immediately over the
ground level barriers (Fig 1).
TAKE CARE NEAR OVERHEAD POWER LINES
* High voltage, for alternating current (a.c.),
means any rms voltage exceeding 1000 V
between line conductors or 600 V between line
conductors and earth.
** This statistical information can be found at
www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/kind3.htm
*** This document can be downloaded from
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais8.pdf
**** This document can be down loaded from
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/gs6.htm
DANGEROVERHEAD LINES
DANGER OF DEATH
DANGER OF DEATHDANGER OF DEATH
Fig 1 Power Line Warning
20
In the spring issue of Switched On, we
questioned whether the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity would be taken for electrically
competent persons to check, and as
necessary improve, the condition of the
electrical intake arrangements when fitting
smart electricity meters in all 26 million
domestic premises in the UK over the next
10 years.
At the end of April, we were advised that
Ofgem E-Serve would be arranging a series
of workshops with interested parties
including the Energy Networks Association,
the Energy Retail Association, the
Association of Meter Operators and the
Health and Safety Executive to discuss
safety issues relating to the installation of
smart meters. Other participants including
the Electrical Safety Council are being
considered.
The Energy Networks Association (ENA), the
industry body for UK energy transmission
and distribution licence holders and
operators, working with the Association of
Meter Operators (AMO), has already
identified a number of safety and
operational issues that will need to be taken
into consideration during the smart meter
roll-out programme, including:
• ownership of service position
equipment
• identification of service position faults,
such as damaged distribution and
supplier-owned equipment
• verification of polarity at the point of
meter change
• inappropriate meter/service positions
• communal cupboards/meter positions
• asbestos meter boards
• damaged meter boxes
• access for temporary disconnection
• lateral and rising mains
• replacement of meter tails
• earth connections
• signs of overheating
• arrangements for the future inspection
of distribution-owned equipment
• training and competence of meter
installers
• replacement of all remaining pre-1937
cut-outs with a fused neutral
• an agreed process of installation and
meter installer checklists
• documented risk assessments for various
installation types
• simplified defect reporting and
rectification processes.
Through the work conducted so far, the
ENA has also identified a number of
opportunities for distributors, including:
• working with meter operators and other
players to ensure the best experience for
the consumer by making the installation
experience as simple as possible
• addressing concerns and issues raised by
other parties represented at the safety
meetings
• dealing with issues which become
apparent before and during roll-out of
the meter programme
• ensuring that the service position is left
in a safe and, where possible, improved
condition
• correcting known issues with
distribution networks.
In addition to the workshops organised by
Ofgem E-Serve, meetings are also taking
place between Distribution Network
Operators, Meter Operators and the HSE.
These workshops are steered by the ENA
and the AMO under the auspices of
MOCOPA*. These discussions are aimed at
answering outstanding questions and
establishing a position that all interested
parties can sign up to.
Because MOCOPA is the agreement
between DNOs and Meter Operators for
work conducted at the service/meter
position, it is likely that once the
outstanding issues have been resolved, they
will be documented within the MOCOPA
Agreement and used to provide guidance
for installers before and during the smart
meter roll-out programme.
There is a considerable amount of
discussion between all interested parties
and, as a result, decisions and agreements
are moving quickly. We will be reporting
further on the electrical safety issues
relating to the smart meter roll-out
programme in future issues of Switched On.
*The Meter Operation Code of Practice
Agreement (MOCOPA) is an agreement
between electricity distribution businesses and
electricity meter operators in Great Britain.
The agreement authorises meter operators to
install and connect meters to the electricity
network by clarifying that the equipment
being provided, installed and maintained
meets appropriate technical requirements and
that work is carried out to adequate safety
standards.
All the previous issues of Switched On are available to read or
download from the ‘Business & Community’ section of our website.BACK ISSUES OF SWITCHED ON
THE UK SMART METER ROLL-OUT PROGRAMME ANDELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUES