COC and Brass Heritage switch

[GCE]

Had a phone call this morning in connection with a COC inspection being done in an old house , all refurbished with oregan pine wooden doors , floors etc.

Need to ask all the clever people what you would do if you came across the old type Heritage brass switches ( similar to pic ) in an installation – The switches fit in beautifully with the finishes and anything else will ruin the finished look.
The outer brass cover screws onto the brass toggle - The switches are mounted on the wooden door frame

My feeling is that the switches need to be replaced with something as it is not possible to earth.
I know Clipsal used to do the heritage range which made life simple , but it has been discontinued

Interested to know what you would do

[Leecatt]

The same thing happened to me when I did a COC in Johannesburg about 12 to 13 years ago.
I called my contact at the ECA and was given the following advice.
There is a space between where the wires are connected and the outer metal Parts Of The Switch. There was also a piece of porcelain distancing the actual switch rocker from the workings of the actual switch.
I was advised to pass it as being reasonably safe which I did.

[Leecatt]

Also see SANS 6.12.3.2
Neither of the cover nor the toggle switch are touching a conductive surface and meet requirements in parts C4

[GCE]

HI

Also looked at 6.12.3.2 -(2) - need not be earth if ,2) out of arms reach from a structure that is bonded to earth

Then read a bit further to 6.12.3.3 - Metallic frames and enclosures of electrical equipment shall be made electrically continuous

Decide to check on definition of electrical equipment - item or combination of items , including wireways, which is used for generation , conversion, transmission or distribution of electrical energy.

Seems that 6.12.3.3 is in direct contradiction to 6.12.3.2

Wonder why I became a Sparky when I actually need to be an English professor, or Lawyer to try and understand what we can and can't do.

[AndyD]

Can the toggle and cover no9t be classed as an extraneous conductive component if the IR to the MET is >7.6kΩ? I'd be tempted to hold it to a far higher standard of IR though if there's any other conductive items within reach that weren't extraneous.

[Leecatt]

It seems there is a mistake in the SANS
6.12.3.2 has two part C,s and one part A
However.....

6.12.3.2 The following do not need to be earthed:
b) Exposed conductive parts of fixed electrical equipment that are
4) not touching a conductive surface.( The bell cover is usually screwed onto a bakerlite base)

6.12.3.3 deals with metallic frames and metallic enclosures
6.12.3.3 Metalic frames and metallic enclosures of electrical equipment shall be made electrically continuous
The bell cover is not a frame.
The bell cover is part of the electrical equipment as a whole. An enclosure is a part that protects the electrical equipment from exposure such as a metal box or a DB

Just my two cents worth

[Dave A]

It seems there is a mistake in the SANS
6.12.3.2 has two part C,s and one part A

And no part b.
Quite clearly a typo and needs to be passed onto the technical committee, I suggest.
Good spot, Leecatt

Question - When you remove that metallic cover, doesn't this expose conductive / current carrying parts?

[Leecatt]

And no part b.
Quite clearly a typo and needs to be passed onto the technical committee, I suggest.
Good spot, Leecatt

Question - When you remove that metallic cover, doesn't this expose conductive / current carrying parts?

Yes, the conductive parts would be exposed, which would put it in contravention of SANS 5.2.1 b)
Perhaps a strategically placed screw?

[GCE]

Hi Leecatt

Thanks , I think you are spot on and that under 5.2.1 the old type heritage switches would need to be removed .

Somebody will come back with the date of installation and that therefore they were allowed to be used then - I would agree as long as no rewiring has happened.
Most of those switches where installed in the day of VIR wiring so there would have been alterations to the installation.

I was contacted yesterday and told that GLO electric have a new heritage type switch with an earth pin.I would rather replace all the switches and sleep at night

[GCE]

Hi

Thought I would resurrect this conversation to see if anybody had a new view or idea

We have just been asked the question again and I still seem to think that VIR and old brass switches should be replaced