Good point on not taking the supply in to the top of the isolators with spd. I hadnt thought about that before. Wondering if its a real risk though. From memory the spd module plugs in to sockets and the pins are shrouded until the module is removed. From what i can see no more risky than a normal 3 pin plug.
Love the allen key heads on henley style connectors. Its such a nightmare sometimes with slotted screw heads especially in double pole henley's. And would be even better if DB manufactures did the same and got rid of those useless plus/minus screw heads made of putty in their main switches/mcbs, RCDs and RCBOs. Agree with @tschubb1992, the isolator cover is on upside down. But hey great tidy job anyway
Another good shout with the Allan 3mm heads. Totally agree 👍. I need to check how it came out the box now 🤣. I put it together how it came out. But thats not to say I am remembering wrong 🤣🤣🤣
It maybe that the manufacturers don’t use the key type because you can easily over tighten on smaller conductors. I’d much prefer wago type connections on everything electrical tbh,
@tschubb1992 not at all mate. It's actually a good idea if it works! I did consider spinning the spd holder around but then the bridging busbar wouldn't go right without swapping the polarity around on the markings so went with that lol.
@timballam3675 yes we use those often. Belting mains isolators. All they wanted was us to connect the tails into the iso with SPD. That said this is all changing again soon 🤣
Great interesting video hopefully you vacuumed the bottom of the consumer unit before putting the main cover on not criticising just spotted the bits on the video 🤔😎❤️
Nice job as always 👍, I've just purchased a property with 2x old wylex boards 1x for off peak and one for peak, just wondered if ud recommend a board to combine the 2x together still keepthe off peak currently still needed for heaters ? Cheers gary
Hi Gary loads of options but if you have a room a twin stacked board can be useful! Just remember an upfront isolation point for the install as a whole.
@@electrician247 not loads of space mate, 1x board is horizontal and other vertical in a cab, yeah was thinking double stack board and fit 2x main switches and sps then populated with rcbo's etc but struggling with space mate
@garylatto4191 tricky one from that sounds of it. Maybe rehash a large split load board with 2 x mains switches and a 4 pole tails isolator pre that isolate the install.
@@electrician247 cheers for reply , if I did that and used a 4pole isolator, what would be the set up for the neutrals, obviously only 1x terminal in the isolator 🤔
I've not used the Proteus Main Switch with built in SPD before, is it not modular so you could put the SPD upside down to the right of the Main Switch linked out the bottom instead? If not they may have missed a trick there. Do love the earth blocks though remembering an insulated Allen key is a pain. Brilliant install from you and Mathew as usual.
Thanks mate. I did toy with spinning the spd around but then polarity would have to swap on the main switch. Didn't think about moving the SPD to the right! I will experiment next time! Good shout.
@@electrician247 I only though of it due to having to swap the main switch from right to left on many modern CU's when doing replacements and tails aren't able to move. Have to remark the terminals but often that's more preferable than trying to find a product that goes left to right these days.
@@electrician247 Amendment 3 is only for dwellings of course but similar switch gear assembly is open to very wide interpretation see regulation Amendment 3 states that: 421.1.201. Regulation 421.1.201 - Protection against therman effects - Consumer Units Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439 3 and shall: (i). Have their enclosures manufactured from non-combustible material, or (ii). Be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12. NOTE 1: Ferrous metal e.g. steel is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material. NOTE 2:* the implementation date for this regulation is the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date. What the regulations mean: Guidance from BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association) who represent the UK manufacturers. The intent of regulation 421.1.201 is considered to be, as far as is reasonably practicable, to contain any fire within the enclosure and to minimise flames from escaping, caused mainly as a result of poorly installed connections. The following Q&A’s cover key points. 1. What is a definition of non-combustible? There is no published definition for ‘non-combustible’ that aligns with the intent of regulation 421.1.201. Ferrous metal is deemed to be one example of a non-combustible material that meets the intent of the regulation. 2. What constitutes a ‘non-combustible enclosure’? A non-combustible enclosure includes base, cover, door and any components e.g. hinges, covers, screws and catches, necessary to maintain fire containment. See diagram 1. Blanks and devices are contained within the non-combustible enclosure. 3 How is account taken of cable entries into a ‘non-combustible enclosure’ with respect to containment of internal fire and escape of flames?. Good workmanship and proper materials must be applied by the installer. The cable installation entry method shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, maintain the fire containment of the enclosure. Account shall be taken of the manufacturers instructions, if any. 4. What is meant by ‘similar switchgear assemblies’? ‘Similar switchgear assemblies’ are assemblies used for the same fundamental application as consumer units. 5. Does regulation 421.1.201 apply to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies installed in domestic (household) garages and outbuildings? Yes, the intent of regulation 421.1.201 is that it applies to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies to BS EN 61439-3 inside all domestic (household) premises including their integral/attached garages and outbuildings or those in close proximity
Good video mate, I think all main switches should be a double screw connection. Also when as competent persons will we be allowed to remove main fuses or is it too much of a money spinner for them?
Lol yeah that's a bugbear we have had for decades. They did do some awesome meters with switches in for a while. Solved the problem but stopped doing them 🤷♂️. Hopefully as people get smart meters they fit tails isolators alongside them but I doubt it somehow lol.
Good point on not taking the supply in to the top of the isolators with spd. I hadnt thought about that before.
Wondering if its a real risk though. From memory the spd module plugs in to sockets and the pins are shrouded until the module is removed.
From what i can see no more risky than a normal 3 pin plug.
Unless it's under fault conditions as you remove it lol.
🙌
Nice job guys
Thanks Dan!
Love the allen key heads on henley style connectors. Its such a nightmare sometimes with slotted screw heads especially in double pole henley's. And would be even better if DB manufactures did the same and got rid of those useless plus/minus screw heads made of putty in their main switches/mcbs, RCDs and RCBOs. Agree with @tschubb1992, the isolator cover is on upside down. But hey great tidy job anyway
Another good shout with the Allan 3mm heads. Totally agree 👍. I need to check how it came out the box now 🤣. I put it together how it came out. But thats not to say I am remembering wrong 🤣🤣🤣
It maybe that the manufacturers don’t use the key type because you can easily over tighten on smaller conductors. I’d much prefer wago type connections on everything electrical tbh,
Great content, should the isolator cover be on up the other way? So the smaller bit of the cover is on the consumer side?
I never tried that but good point tbh!
@@electrician247 I was looking at it all way to critically after you said spot the mistake 🤣 nice tidy job 👍
@tschubb1992 not at all mate. It's actually a good idea if it works! I did consider spinning the spd holder around but then the bridging busbar wouldn't go right without swapping the polarity around on the markings so went with that lol.
@@electrician247 my DNO requires double screw idolater switches if fitted in the meter box, funnily enough they are Proteus ones.
@timballam3675 yes we use those often. Belting mains isolators. All they wanted was us to connect the tails into the iso with SPD. That said this is all changing again soon 🤣
Hmm, will give one of those M2 boards a shot 🙂
In a tight space they are brilliant.
Great interesting video hopefully you vacuumed the bottom of the consumer unit before putting the main cover on not criticising just spotted the bits on the video 🤔😎❤️
Check the description 😁. This was a rush job in terms of the recording and editing. Didn't have time for a last clip after the testing.
Nice job as always 👍, I've just purchased a property with 2x old wylex boards 1x for off peak and one for peak, just wondered if ud recommend a board to combine the 2x together still keepthe off peak currently still needed for heaters ? Cheers gary
Hi Gary loads of options but if you have a room a twin stacked board can be useful! Just remember an upfront isolation point for the install as a whole.
@@electrician247 not loads of space mate, 1x board is horizontal and other vertical in a cab, yeah was thinking double stack board and fit 2x main switches and sps then populated with rcbo's etc but struggling with space mate
@garylatto4191 tricky one from that sounds of it. Maybe rehash a large split load board with 2 x mains switches and a 4 pole tails isolator pre that isolate the install.
@@electrician247 cheers for reply , if I did that and used a 4pole isolator, what would be the set up for the neutrals, obviously only 1x terminal in the isolator 🤔
That M2 board was made for that location!
House built around it lol
It does seem odd putting the supply in the bottom of the main switch when you are so used to installing them at the top.
Yes and I think their is actually a way around this I have learned from the comments on this video! Need to experiment
I've not used the Proteus Main Switch with built in SPD before, is it not modular so you could put the SPD upside down to the right of the Main Switch linked out the bottom instead? If not they may have missed a trick there. Do love the earth blocks though remembering an insulated Allen key is a pain.
Brilliant install from you and Mathew as usual.
Thanks mate. I did toy with spinning the spd around but then polarity would have to swap on the main switch. Didn't think about moving the SPD to the right! I will experiment next time! Good shout.
@@electrician247 I only though of it due to having to swap the main switch from right to left on many modern CU's when doing replacements and tails aren't able to move.
Have to remark the terminals but often that's more preferable than trying to find a product that goes left to right these days.
@@electrician247 If you did that would it be classed as interfering with a type-tested manufactured design?
@anthonybragg I don't think so in this case no. But I am going to ask the team at Proteus next week.
Hi Technically the main switch and spd surge device should be in a metal amendment 3 2015 fire proof enclosure.
Incorrect, the definition on that is very clear and well established.
@@electrician247 Amendment 3 is only for dwellings of course but similar switch gear assembly is open to very wide interpretation see regulation Amendment 3 states that: 421.1.201.
Regulation 421.1.201 - Protection against therman effects - Consumer Units
Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439 3 and shall:
(i). Have their enclosures manufactured from non-combustible material, or
(ii). Be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.
NOTE 1: Ferrous metal e.g. steel is deemed to be an example of a non-combustible material.
NOTE 2:* the implementation date for this regulation is the 1st January 2016. This does not preclude compliance with this regulation prior to this date.
What the regulations mean:
Guidance from BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association) who represent the UK manufacturers. The intent of regulation 421.1.201 is considered to be, as far as is reasonably practicable, to contain any fire within the enclosure and to minimise flames from escaping, caused mainly as a result of poorly installed connections.
The following Q&A’s cover key points.
1. What is a definition of non-combustible?
There is no published definition for ‘non-combustible’ that aligns with the intent of regulation 421.1.201. Ferrous metal is deemed to be one example of a non-combustible material that meets the intent of the regulation.
2. What constitutes a ‘non-combustible enclosure’?
A non-combustible enclosure includes base, cover, door and any components e.g. hinges, covers, screws and catches, necessary to maintain fire containment. See diagram 1. Blanks and devices are contained within the non-combustible enclosure.
3 How is account taken of cable entries into a ‘non-combustible enclosure’ with respect to
containment of internal fire and escape of flames?.
Good workmanship and proper materials must be applied by the installer. The cable installation entry method shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, maintain the fire containment of the enclosure. Account shall be taken of the manufacturers instructions, if any.
4. What is meant by ‘similar switchgear assemblies’?
‘Similar switchgear assemblies’ are assemblies used for the same fundamental application as consumer units.
5. Does regulation 421.1.201 apply to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies installed in domestic (household) garages and outbuildings?
Yes, the intent of regulation 421.1.201 is that it applies to consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies to BS EN 61439-3 inside all domestic (household) premises including their integral/attached garages and outbuildings or those in close proximity
@@electrician247Our Niceic inspector says differently he would have a field day if he saw that on one our jobs.
@danvictor3934 let me know his/her name and I will speak to the NIC for you. They are very very wrong.
@@electrician247 It is a good Idea but who am I to argue with them in there position of power.
Good video mate, I think all main switches should be a double screw connection. Also when as competent persons will we be allowed to remove main fuses or is it too much of a money spinner for them?
Lol yeah that's a bugbear we have had for decades. They did do some awesome meters with switches in for a while. Solved the problem but stopped doing them 🤷♂️.
Hopefully as people get smart meters they fit tails isolators alongside them but I doubt it somehow lol.
A lot of the consumer units used to have two screws in the main switch