paulh53 said:
Minimum Is 4mm2 On a 32a Ring Circuit
Actually if you do the math for FULL compliance, the mimimum is actually 6mm2.
I am not surprised by the reaction of the NICEIC on this, as they are consistantly at odds themselves over the same point. I have also asked this question of both the ECA and the IEE.
The ECA stated that they would
"prefer to see the use of rewireable fuses banned as they feel they present a tangible and real potential hazard to electrical safety as they are so easy to abuse and electromechanical devices such as MCB's and MCCB's present a significant improvement in circuit, and thus user safety"
The IEE Technical Guys were a bit more vague on the issue, accepting there is ambiguity over the whole subject, with some still being installed. They stated that the IEE does not have the mandate anymore to ban the use of electrical equipment and accessories without the agreement of the BSi, and they do not see this being likely. They accept that even within the IEE there is disagreement as to the position of BS3036 fuses, some wanting to press for a ban, some happy with the status quo, some apparently happy to not "rock the boat".
I was very happy to hear the reaponse of the ECA on this, however the IEE position came as no real surprise as they could not make their mind up in a brothel with a wad of £50 notes and only one girl!!
What our discussion has proved is the following.
1:
I was wrong about them being banned, regardless of how the banning seemed to be occuring.
2: The NICEIC don't seem to care.
3: The ECA want them banned..basically for the very reasons I actually believed to have been banned for!!
4:The IEE are as decisive on this issue as they are on everything else, only this time they are blaming the BSi rather than their own indicision.
5: The matter is confused as all of my Guys, employed or subby also believed BS3036 fuses were banned from being installed..and I don't recall having this discussion with any of them before for my opinion to have swayed them. I have also spoken to contractors I know, similar sized companies...these also believed them to have been ostensibly banned in idea rather than explicit instructions (as one put it)
I will finish this post with the following comment. I will never install or design an installation with BS3036 semi-enclosed rewirable fuses as the overload protective device. If spec'ed by another Engineer, I would not quote for the work if they were not prepared to accept MCB alternatives.
This is my personal opinion, but after speaking to my Guys over the last two days, I feel they are of a similar mind.
