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KEVIN CARR: THIS WAS AN INTERESTING FIRST SIGHT WHEN WE WERE ASKED TO FIT A NEW BOARD RECENTLY.
Whenever there is a request to replace an item of electrical equipment such as a distribution board we do need further information regarding the existing installation. If we were looking at a like-for-like replacement there wouldn’t be many areas for discussion or review.
But when we come across a situation as shown in the photographs, there are many inherent non-conformities which would have to be investigated and subject to remedial works before such a replacement could be carried out.
At first glance the distribution board looks fairly new but once the cover is opened, we can see missing blanks with exposed live parts where the copper bars are accessible.
With the cover removed, further issues are revealed: there are ‘floating contactors’ which have not been provided with a means of fixing and it isn’t clear if the control circuits are supplied from the same distribution board.
The openings at the top of the distribution board do not meet the requirements of IP4X where the metal trunking hasn’t been live parts and single insulated conductors. The metal trunking has similar issues where the containment doesn’t meet the IP4x.
Therefore, the classification code would be a C1, Danger present – immediate remedial action required, for exposed live terminals of accessible at the distribution board.
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