Meter tails in cavity

[mattg4321]

Ok own up who's done this?

I try my hardest to never do this but have, on very rare occasion installed meter tails in a cavity as the lesser of evils.

Would be interesting to hear real world thoughts on this and potential work arounds so you don't have to. I know someone on here posted a while back about some sort of capping that you could put over the tails so they couldn't be drilled. Not entirely convinced about that although I've not had a proper look at it in real life.

I had one recently where the meter box was on external wall and I needed to run an armoured from there to an internal consumer unit. Went to great trouble to avoid running the cable in the cavity and builder comes along and says why didn't you just push it up the cavity!

 

[Dillb]

Whats your issue with running cables in a cavity?

 

[Midwest]

Can't see how it can be avoided?

My only issue with it, you can't see whats happening to the cable as its being installed, and unsupported over the distance.

 

[Dillb]

Can't see how it can be avoided?

My only issue with it, you can't see whats happening to the cable as its being installed, and unsupported over the distance.

While I agree you cant see whats happening, then end you pull out should give you a idea that its not being damaged. As for supporting of it, its only the same as cables in vertical trunking, which dont get supported.

 

[mattg4321]

Whats your issue with running cables in a cavity?

UKPN don't like it and building inspectors often don't like it as you're bridging the cavity. Although quite what the insulation filling the cavity is doing if not bridging the cavity is anyones guess.

 

[Midwest]

While I agree you cant see whats happening, then end you pull out should give you a idea that its not being damaged. As for supporting of it, its only the same as cables in vertical trunking, which dont get supported.

The cable is made up of its entire length, whats happening at its ends, doesn't necessarily suggest what has happened to the rest of it.

I though vertical trunking was required to have cable supports over certain lengths; was there some new reg or update on that in the last amendment.

 

[Midwest]

UKPN don't like it and building inspectors often don't like it as you're bridging the cavity. Although quite what the insulation filling the cavity is doing if not bridging the cavity is anyones guess.

Thing is though, if the meter box is on the outside and CU on the inside, it has got to go in the cavity some point, even straight through will bridge the cavity.

 

[Dillb]

The cable is made up of its entire length, whats happening at its ends, doesn't necessarily suggest what has happened to the rest of it.

Well thats it, we cant run a cable through any wall at all then if thats the case, unless we completly dismantle it then rebuild it once the cables installed.

 

[Wes1000]

I think you are thinking of this.
External Cable Protectors - https://www.directchannel.uk.com/gs9-tail-cable-protectors
A lot thicker than capping and you’d have to really try to be able to hammer or drill through it.
Like you say matg4321 I’m sure it has been mentioned here before.

 

[Leesparkykent]

PRODUCTS | TridentSections - http://www.tridentsections.co.uk/press/products/

My wholesaler orders it from here.

 

[Midwest]

Well thats it, we cant run a cable through any wall at all then if thats the case, unless we completly dismantle it then rebuild it once the cables installed.

Thing is though, if the meter box is on the outside and CU on the inside, it has got to go in the cavity some point, even straight through will bridge the cavity.

Now your just being silly. I have and will install such cables in a cavity, but you have to bear these points in mind.

 

[Dillb]

Now your just being silly. I have and will install such cables in a cavity, but you have to bear these points in mind.

Thats exactly my point, use your professional judgement as to weather any damge to the cable is occuring.

 

[Midwest]

Thats exactly my point, use your professional judgement as to weather any damge to the cable is occuring.

The potential damage to the cable, is a bit of a shot in the dark though (if you excuse the pun).

 

[telectrix]

Thats exactly my point, use your professional judgement as to weather any damge to the cable is occuring.

what's the weather got to do with it?

 

[Octopus]

All this worry about bridging the gap ... yet they fill up the “cavity” with insulation, after the builders have filled up the bottom with carp ...

 

[Spoon]

Isn't the issue with bridging the gap so that water doesn't transfer from the outside wall to the inside wall?
You can stop this by installing the cable at an angle, so the water can't run down the cable to the inside wall. This is of course for installing the cable virtually horizontal.

 

[Midwest]

Think its the suggestion of such cable running vertically in the cavity, that allegedly can cause water breaching the cavity.

 

[HandySparks]

If the cavity is subsequently filled with insulation, the current carrying capacity of the cables will be significantly reduced.

 

[Dillb]

If the cavity is subsequently filled with insulation, the current carrying capacity of the cables will be significantly reduced.

Thats like wiring a conservatory and putting sockets on the wall attached to the house, they will need to be IP rated incase they ever take the conservatory down.

You can only allow for what is there when installing.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Thats like wiring a conservatory and putting sockets on the wall attached to the house, they will need to be IP rated incase they ever take the conservatory down.

You can only allow for what is there when installing.

When working on the O2, we installed IP rated containment and accessories, just in case they ever removed the cover.
The fact that the internal structures are made from MDF not withstanding.