Free Consumer Unit Guide to the 17th edition by Hager Ltd

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FREE CONSUMER UNIT GUIDE TO THE 17TH EDITION

Hager Ltd

04/02/2008

Hager has produced a free consumer unit guide to the 17th edition wiring regulations. It outlines the new requirements for domestic installations and suggests what solutions should be considered.

It states that the biggest change is the need to consider RCD protection across all of the circuits. While there are alternatives, this is the most cost effective way of complying and it means that you must consider alternative consumer unit configurations.

The guide points out that all of the circuits should not be connected to a single RCD, since this could lead to the loss of supply for the entire installation if there is a fault on one circuit. Protection for a smoke detector circuit also needs special consideration.

It suggests five different consumer unit options.

The first is to provide individual RCBO protection for each circuit with a main isolator switch.

The second suggestion uses a split load twin RCD plus a dedicated RCBO for the smoke alarm.

A third option is to incorporate a split load triple RCD board, with the smoke alarm possibly sharing an RCD with other circuits such as lighting.

The fourth suggestion uses a split load twin RCD board with the socket outlets and smoke detector circuits fed from separate RCDs.

And finally, option five assumes that the smoke detector circuit is mechanically protected by one of four alternative methods described in section 522 of the 17th edition wiring regulations. In this case the contractor can use a split load RCD configuration with the smoke detector circuit left unprotected by an RCD.

Comments Hager’s product manager Steve Dyson: “The introduction of the 17th edition of the wiring regulations has major implications for all builders, electrical contractors, designers and consultants. This guide outlines how the new regulations will affect final circuits and the consumer unit in a domestic installation. It takes a practical look at the relevant sections and then shows ways of complying.

“We have been arguing for greater RCD protection of circuits for years and developed solutions for customers such as Taylor Wimpey well before the 17th edition was drafted.

“In addition to producing this guide we will be running a series of training courses for the NICEIC and City and Guilds about the new regulations.”

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