Originally posted by: SandyBoiler
Originally posted by: Zoro
The majority of fires are due to %$&* installation, there is not a problem with the same boards in the rest of Europe.
Which is why it is a UK only regulation.
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Are you sure the reason it isn't a problem in the rest of Europe is simply because they terminate their boards better over there?
Not sure I buy that...
Is there generally a 100A / 25mm2 supply to these boards in the rest of Europe? (Others have mentioned that it tends to be a 32A supply outside of the UK?) There's a lot of agreement on this thread that the terminals on main switches are rubbish, which might not be such a problem for 10mm2 tails say, but could be much more of a problem for 25mm2 tails...
Also, genuinely wondering...
Do they generally use double insulated singles for tails (often unsupported) in the rest of Europe?
Do they have a significant number of electrical intakes in under-the-stairs cupboards in the rest of Europe?
Is there less of a market for certain, cheaper brands of consumer unit?
Well the Electrical Safety Council, BEAMA and others have stated that it due to incorrect termination.
People seem to be desperate to blame the equipment, for the cause of the fires.
There are nearly as many fires in Service Cut Outs and Meters and they have Barrel connectors with two screws, which many claim would be a solution.
The only problem with the plastic enclosures is they are flammable and don't meet a 650deg Hot Wire test, except for the Schneider ones. So after the terminations are burning, the rest of the CU goes up as well.
Steel CU's are to be introduced, to give extra time for evacuation of the building NOT stop the fire.