RECI on Sub-standard Electrical Equipment

An example came to our attention recently where a fault occurred in a distribution board which caused the casing to ignite and cause extensive damage. Luckily the occupants of the house woke up when the smoke alarm activated and more serious damage or loss of life was avoided. The distribution board was not a recognised brand and had been assembled locally. There are also insurance implications in respect of sub-standard electrical equipment.

Registered contractors should be aware that the standard of their electrical installation work must conform with the current National Rules for Electrical Installations. Clause 33 of the Wiring Rules states that every item of electrical equipment used in an electrical installation will comply with:

• European standards or the equivalent Irish standard;
• Irish standards;
• In the absence of the above, IEC or ISO standards or the national standard of a CENELEC member country.

This means that the electrical contractor has a responsibility to check as far as is reasonably possible that the equipment he purchases is of good quality and complies with the relevant standards. Otherwise he is not complying with the Wiring Rules.

The Association for Electrical Wholesalers (AEW) and the Electrical Manufacturers & Distributors Association (EMDA) have Quality Charters. The Charter states the member companies of the association will only supply equipment which complies fully with the Low Voltage Directive, the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive and with all other relevant standards. If electrical contractors purchase their electrical equipment from members of AEW or EMDA they are going a long way towards fulfiling their obligations of complying with the Wiring Rules in respect of the electrical equipment they use.

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Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland, Unit 9, KCR Industrial Estate, Ravensdale Park, Kimmage, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 - 492 9966 Fax: 01 - 492 9983

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Source: RECI PR