Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Fuse Box in house

Options
  • 23-08-2010 11:07am
    #1
    tred
    Registered Users Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭


    Lads, chatting to a sparky last week, Is it correct that the fuse box of the house needs now to be accessable at eye level, instead of high up in the corner of a room as it was historically? is there a reg change on it. For a new build I mean!


«13

Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Mike2006
    Registered Users Posts: 689 ✭✭✭Mike2006


    Correct.
    There is a specified height that the board now needs to be mounted at.
    Apparently the reason is due to tradesmen falling off ladders while working at the boards....
    Of course in all their cleverness they brought the unit down to a level which is now accessible to children but never added the requirement that the unit needs to be locked...

    Anyway, I opted for a recessed wall unit and added a lock to it as well.

    Mike.


  • Options
    #3
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    2.25 to the top afaik

    good job on large commercial etc. where they're locked

    maybe a tad low for domestic


  • Options
    #4
    tred
    Registered Users Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭tred


    M cebee wrote: »
    2.25 to the top afaik

    good job on large commercial etc. where they're locked

    maybe a tad low for domestic


    Thanks Lads. Thats what I was thinking as well. and I was wondering was it for the reason, it would be easier to turn off stuff if needed. never thought of the height for working.


  • Options
    #5
    pdiddy
    Registered Users Posts: 265 ✭✭pdiddy


    is the new height not for diabled access,def agree that with them down that low there shud be a lock,what are most lads doin for cable access to the domestic board wud be thinking a bit of trunking chased into wall myself


  • Options
    #6
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Effects


    Has this changed again? 1.4m to the bottom?


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    tred wrote: »
    Thanks Lads. Thats what I was thinking as well. and I was wondering was it for the reason, it would be easier to turn off stuff if needed. never thought of the height for working.

    2.25 meters is not quite down at eye level though, 2 meters would be the height of the top of a door, so its another 25 cm higher than that for the max to the top of the board.


  • Options
    #8
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    i think the board has to between 1.4 and 2.25

    there's some amendments here for page99 of rules

    http://www.etci.ie/docs/ET101%28E&C06-2009%29.pdf

    below the 1.4 you'd need a lock


  • Options
    #9
    SparKing
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭SparKing


    Why would you need a lock?


  • Options
    #10
    marknjb
    Registered Users Posts: 195 ✭✭marknjb


    another rule by the guys in reci to make it look like their doing something
    if it aint broke dont fix it


  • Options
    #11
    Effects
    Registered Users Posts: 9,760 ✭✭✭Effects


    Thanks for that.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    marknjb wrote: »
    another rule by the guys in reci to make it look like their doing something
    if it aint broke dont fix it

    Sometimes i think that myself.


  • Options
    #13
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    reci don't make the rules

    why should people have to stand on a stepladder in the dark


  • Options
    #14
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    I was not referring to reci coming up with rules, or saying the board height rule is wrong. What i meant was sometimes i think someone is sitting down all day thinking of something else to add in. `Sometimes` being the main word there.


  • Options
    #15
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    i wasn't referriing to you robbie:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

    i'd say the idea with rule changes generally is progression


    although you'd wonder sometimes are they a step backwards

    i've fitted a good few boards at the max 2.25-definitely a good rule change


  • Options
    #16
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    SparKing wrote: »
    Why would you need a lock?

    Kid hops up on a chair opens an unlocked box, fiddles with a blank cap sticks his fingers in and bang, kentucky fried children, locked to avoid tampering whether it be a kid or adult.


  • Options
    #17
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    yes the lock is for kids

    the amendment says it


    in theory direct contact shouldn't happen by poking a finger round a live board


    busbar should insulated and all breakers are IP2X


  • Options
    #18
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    M cebee wrote: »
    i wasn't referriing to you robbie:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

    I was thinking you might say that:o


  • Options
    #19
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Personally I think this rule is a giant step backwards.


  • Options
    #20
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    Too low a maximum height 2011?


  • Options
    #21
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    robbie7730 wrote: »
    Too low a maximum height 2011?
    In my opinion, yes.

    I think it is better to keep a distribution out of reach from children, rather than locking it. A descent locking mechanism adds to expense.

    I will bet that many people:

    1) Loose the key!
    2) Leave the key in the lock
    3) Don't lock it!
    4)Think that a "low down" distribution board looks cr@p

    If it is flush mounted it would look better, but this is not always an option.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #22
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    no way is it a step backwards- 2.25 is perfect


  • Options
    #23
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    i suppose there's opposing views on it


    but the boards i've fitted lately up at the max 2.25 mark (always)

    they're not readily accessible for kids and the height seems ideal for maintenance


  • Options
    #24
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    M cebee wrote: »
    no way is it a step backwards- 2.25 is perfect
    Well I guess that depends on the size and shape of the board and the circumstances.

    In some cases 2.25 is a good maximum height. I think it should be up to the electrician and or designer to make this decision.


  • Options
    #25
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    On the project I am working on at the moment many of the distribution boards are more than 2.25 heigh!


  • Options
    #26
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    It is a bit restrictive to say they must not be higher than 2.25 meters.


  • Options
    #27
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    yes 2011 - i'm assuming dom board is standard size 2-row

    i just think standing on a stepladder at a board is 'old hat':)



    the larger sub-boards where i work are all MG with locks-even better


  • Options
    #28
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    You will still need a ladder to work on a board 2.25 meters to the top of it.


  • Options
    #29
    antlyn
    Registered Users Posts: 102 ✭✭antlyn


    Just a quick one for you, am I right in thinking this new height is only for new installations and not rewires??


  • Options
    #30
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    i'd say the height rule applies to re-wires

    as a re-wire is 'new work' ?

    i have to dig out the rules every time:)


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #31
    M cebee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,431 ✭✭✭M cebee


    robbie7730 wrote: »
    You will still need a ladder to work on a board 2.25 meters to the top of it.


    yes robbie -but not to reset a breaker


Advertisement