Colin asks this question, which concerns a metallic enclosure, its electrical installation, access to it, and whether it complies with the regulations. It has been answered by SELECT (Theme – Regulations and Legislation):
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I have two questions:
Question 1: Does the following meet the requirements for protection against direct contact by means of barriers or enclosures?
a) A metallic enclosure with a hinged door that can be opened by means of a panel key. No other protection for live connections inside the enclosure. When the hinged door is opened, live terminals are fully exposed and open.
b) If the arrangement above is not compliant, which regulation is breached?
I thought that I would need to have the panel key AND an intermediate barrier, but the only regulation that I can find states that a barrier that can only be removed by a key or tool is sufficient.
Answer: For barriers or enclosures, see Section 416.2 - Live Parts Behind Enclosures etc. - should have a degree of protection IP XXB or IP2X (see also Section 410).
If, as in your case, there are live terminals exposed, see Section 514.11 regarding isolation. See also Section 537 on isolation and Section 526 on electrical connections. You can also refer to IET GN 1 and GN 5.
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