Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This Question of the Day, concerning the operation of air-conditioning plant in a university, is answered by SELECT:
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| Air-conditioning plant - what about un-authorised use? |
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Question: I work as maintenance electrician at a university. In a ground floor cafeteria area where students and staff take rest periods, there are two air-conditioning plants fitted in the false ceiling to supply air to the open area. There is a fused double-pole switch adjacent to each air-conditioning unit. We have had occasions where the units have been switched off by people other than staff.
My question is, can I change the double-pole switches with single-phase non-switched fused spur outlets so that the units cannot be switched off?
Answer: Regulation 537.3 requires that a means of switching off for mechanical maintenance shall be provided where mechanical maintenance may involve a risk of burns or a risk of injury from mechanical movement. If the switch was located remotely from the air-conditioning unit, then you would require the switch to be lockable.
Devices suitable for switching off for mechanical maintenance include isolators, switches and circuit breakers.
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link: www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions
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