[Question] DB Height

[Ishmaelmo]

Good All,

What is the required height of a DB according to SANS 10142 new edition?
My DB was mounted on a of 190cm above the ground, so I want to know if that is acceptable.

Your assistace will be highly appreciated.

Regards,

Ishmael

[Dave A]

My DB was mounted on a of 190cm above the ground, so I want to know if that is acceptable.

Hi Ishmael,

The measurement is based on the position of the switch gear in the distribution board.
The goldilocks zone is between 1.2 metres and 2.2 metres. Outside of that and some fine print starts kicking in.

[GCE]

HI

We had an interesting one with a DB in old age homes where the DB's where mounted at 0,9m above ground level - They were placed between the counter top and top cupboards so that they were easily accessible to people in a wheel chair.The prepaid meter was next to the DB towards the front of the counter. Made a whole lot of sense from a practical point but felt it may against the regulations.
If you read the regulations it does allow for the DB to be below the height as long as it is in an enclosure that cannot be reached by infants.We felt that with a door that is lockable we would be within the reg's to sign it off
Took a couple of reads and re reads along with discussions in the workshop before we all agreed.

Bear in mind that the 1,2m is for domestic and often your floor standing DB's in commercial and industrial installations are basically at floor level.
It is also safer to install a separate isolator for a pool Db before the DB and call it a "motor control center" which will then fall under a different set of reg's as long as you do not fed sockets and lights from it.The standard pool DB's that everyone installs does not pass the regulations for a DB.That is another whole argument

6.6.1.6 Any point of a distribution board that has to be reached during
normal operation shall not exceed a height of 2,2 m above floor (or walking)
level. However, the board may be mounted higher if it can be disconnected
from the supply by a switch-disconnector that is less than 2,2 m above floor
level. (See also 5.3.8(b)). Unless a residential distribution board is housed in
an enclosure and direct access cannot be obtained by an infant, no part of
an indoor distribution board shall be less than 1,2 m above the floor level
and no part of an outdoor distribution board shall be less than 0,2 m above
the ground level.

[Dave A]

If you read the regulations it does allow for the DB to be below the height as long as it is in an enclosure that cannot be reached by infants.We felt that with a door that is lockable we would be within the reg's to sign it off

We put in a child resistant catch in that situation to navigate the balance between accessibility requirements for the main switch vs the infant access issue.

The standard pool DB's that everyone installs does not pass the regulations for a DB.

Outdoor. Normally under a pool pump enclosure.
What's the problem?

[GCE]

Hi Dave

"Pool box"DB's - I was told that they generally do not comply to SANS 60439-5 for outside DB's - WWe have now got into the habit of putting a weather proof isolator before and calling a MCC circuit.
We don't delve in that type of work much , so I have not followed through and got myself a copy of SANS 60439-5

[Ishmaelmo]

Hi Ishmael,

The measurement is based on the position of the switch gear in the distribution board.
The goldilocks zone is between 1.2 metres and 2.2 metres. Outside of that and some fine print starts kicking in.

Hi Dave,

It simply means the electrician's selected hieght is correct. I had doubts about thought is too high.

Thanks.

[Ishmaelmo]

HI

We had an interesting one with a DB in old age homes where the DB's where mounted at 0,9m above ground level - They were placed between the counter top and top cupboards so that they were easily accessible to people in a wheel chair.The prepaid meter was next to the DB towards the front of the counter. Made a whole lot of sense from a practical point but felt it may against the regulations.
If you read the regulations it does allow for the DB to be below the height as long as it is in an enclosure that cannot be reached by infants.We felt that with a door that is lockable we would be within the reg's to sign it off
Took a couple of reads and re reads along with discussions in the workshop before we all agreed.

Bear in mind that the 1,2m is for domestic and often your floor standing DB's in commercial and industrial installations are basically at floor level.
It is also safer to install a separate isolator for a pool Db before the DB and call it a "motor control center" which will then fall under a different set of reg's as long as you do not fed sockets and lights from it.The standard pool DB's that everyone installs does not pass the regulations for a DB.That is another whole argument

6.6.1.6 Any point of a distribution board that has to be reached during
normal operation shall not exceed a height of 2,2 m above floor (or walking)
level. However, the board may be mounted higher if it can be disconnected
from the supply by a switch-disconnector that is less than 2,2 m above floor
level. (See also 5.3.8(b)). Unless a residential distribution board is housed in
an enclosure and direct access cannot be obtained by an infant, no part of
an indoor distribution board shall be less than 1,2 m above the floor level
and no part of an outdoor distribution board shall be less than 0,2 m above
the ground level.

Hi GCE,

Thank you for quoting the regulation. It really answered my question, like said by Dave.

Thanks.

[Ishmaelmo]

This is the DB in question.

[GCE]

Hi

That would fail a COC inspection without labels ( SANS 10142-1 : 4.2 pg 61 ) and no blanks , ( readily accessible live terminals 5.2 pg 63)

[ians]

Hi

That would fail a COC inspection without labels ( SANS 10142-1 : 4.2 pg 61 ) and no blanks , ( readily accessible live terminals 5.2 pg 63)

Depends on who is checking...i was recently called in to do inspection on a hospital installation (as an independent inspector)...none of the DBs had labels...i was advised that the labels where busy being printed and that i should still issue the COC's...i refused and my payment was rejected because i didnt issue the COC's for the 30 DB which didnt have labels...i am not even going to go into the state of the wiring and having to help the "electricians" figue out the 2 way switching.

the other inspector who was passing the DB's which i failed... didnt feel labeling was a valid reason to fail them.

[AndyD]

I can't see from the picture, is there a main OCPD?

[ians]

I can't see from the picture, is there a main OCPD?

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) ...i doubt it

An over current protective device is not required...the circuit breaker feeding this DB will be suitably rated to protect the cable feeding this DB...well it should be.

The earth leakage device is being used as a main switch which is normal...just a pain in the butt for the tenant...having to fiddle in the dark trying to find the DB to reset it...unless they are smart like some of us and have a solar system installed with backup power and lighting.

[Ishmaelmo]

Hi

That would fail a COC inspection without labels ( SANS 10142-1 : 4.2 pg 61 ) and no blanks , ( readily accessible live terminals 5.2 pg 63)

Alright! Thanks.
I'll ask if he is aware of the labels or not. Maybe he'll bring them along when he come to issue COC.

[Ishmaelmo]

Hi

That would fail a COC inspection without labels ( SANS 10142-1 : 4.2 pg 61 ) and no blanks , ( readily accessible live terminals 5.2 pg 63)

I can't see from the picture, is there a main OCPD?

I'm lost. What is a OCPD used for?

[AndyD]

OCPD = over current protective device ie circuit breaker that trips at a predetermined current or could even be a fuse. Some earth leakage breakers don't offer over-current protection, only earth leakage protection.