Hi there,

I have a query, I am looking to design a panel to bs en 60204.

We ship these panels to UK, USA and europe

I appreaiacite that fusing neutrals can on a fixed installs are considered a no no but on machinary with a plug that could be reversed in certain territories is it permitted to fuse both live and neutral

Regards
Lee

 

I think you would be wise to find the real regulation documents and go by them.

 

What is the nature of the machinery?
If this is machinery, presumably you also have earth ground so I assume it is a (non-reversable) 3 pin plug?
If so the only way to reverse is if the socket is wired that way.
As a general rule, most jurisdictions frown on fusing a neutral.
Max.

 

What is the nature of the machinery?
If this is machinery, presumably you also have earth ground so I assume it is a (non-reversable) 3 pin plug?
If so the only way to reverse is if the socket is wired that way.
As a general rule, most jurisdictions frown on fusing a neutral.
Max.

While in the UK we have a 3 pin plug, in other countries the machine will be plugged in via a 2 pin plug

 

there is 2 pin unpolorized and 2 pin polorized plugs in the US. The neutral is wider. in the US, we don't have fuses in our plugs.

I worked on only one piece of equipment that had a 208 3 phase 90 Amp power source that had a breaker in the neutral.

 

What is the nature of the machinery?
As a general rule, most jurisdictions frown on fusing a neutral.
Max.

This statement is simply untrue.

IEC/EN 60950-1 covering the safety of IT equipment permits neutral fusing (together with the live) albeit with a marked warning of such on the product.

IEC/EN 60601 covering the safety of medical equipment mandates fusing of both live and neutral.

 

This statement is simply untrue.

IEC/EN 60950-1 covering the safety of IT equipment permits neutral fusing (together with the live) albeit with a marked warning of such on the product.

IEC/EN 60601 covering the safety of medical equipment mandates fusing of both live and neutral.

I believe that under 60204 it is indeed frowned upon as it states that a neutral can not be disconnected and leave a live present

 

This statement is simply untrue.
.

It has been many years since operating in the UK, but in N.A. NEC/CEC/NFPA79 show fusing live conductor only.
Plus if using a earthed neutral there is not a lot of point and it is potentially dangerous.
Max.

 

There is only one safe way to do this and fuse is not it.
use a breaker double pole.

You want both to shut off a live hot and cut neutral and you become the return path is one hell of a shock if not kill you.

 

There is only one safe way to do this and fuse is not it.
use a breaker double pole.

You want both to shut off a live hot and cut neutral and you become the return path is one hell of a shock if not kill you.

This is the solution I am going with, replacing the fuse arrangement with a 2pole mcb