Published: 29 January 2015
Category: Q&A
Colin asks this question about BS 7671: 2008’s Amendment 3 and the new requirement for metal-cased consumer units and distribution boards. It has been answered by ABB (Theme – Regulations and Legislation):
This Q & A is one of thousands posted in our Technical Expertise area, and answered on a daily basis by our Voltimum Experts.
Question: I’ve been talking to an electrician who reckoned that plastic distribution boards are going to be phased out and only metal ones will be allowed.
This is because there have apparently been a few fires caused by distribution boards and consumer units having plastic casings (and loose wires inside).
Is there any truth in this?
Answer: The third amendment to BS: 7671: 2008 (just published) has introduced requirements for additional fire safety for distribution boards and consumer units.
The Voltimum web portal has a number of articles relating to the third amendment of the standard, and this is a good place to start.
Many people are now looking to use steel enclosed consumer units instead of plastic as a way of ensuring that they meet these new requirements.
ABB has recently dropped the plastic version of the Housemaster consumer unit range in favour of our sheet steel version, as this seems to be more in line with the requirements of the latest version of BS 7671.
Learn more about Amendment 3 to BS 7671: 2008 at: www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/bs-7671-2008-amendment-3-now-published-and-you-will-have-comply
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