SWA to Switch?

[Colin33]

Any suggestions as to how to terminate swa into a switch/fuse neatly? I've run it through a metal box and out to the switch with the switch cover covering the point where the sheath is split but wondering if there's a neater way to do things?

 

[Plonker 3]

Any photos of what you have already done?

 

[Colin33]

No, but I can take one tomorrow

 

[Plonker 3]

Would be good, your description sounds a little strange, a picture will always help make sense of something. Unless I am missing something which wouldn't be the first time.

 

[Darkwood]

Sounds a little bit rough but really need clearer idea so either a drawing or we wait for your picture tomorrow before i give comment.

 

[Colin33]

I have to feed a CU in an outbuilding. I need to take a supply from Henley blocks via a switch fuse in 10mm SWA... the problem is being able to neatly connect the SWA to the switch fuse. One of these: Lewden 100AMP S/W FUSE DOMESTIC - Superlec Direct

 

[Plonker 3]

Have you used SWA glands?

 

[Sintra]

Why not get a decent metal clad switch fuse?

 

[Guest55]

One of these: Lewden 100AMP S/W FUSE DOMESTIC - Superlec Direct

not really designed for direct swa connection , you will be cramped for space , larger metalclad unit would be better

 

[Sintra]

Like this.

 

[Colin33]

Thanks, the metalclad unit is a good idea... for the SWA side, but what about coming out of the metalclad with tails? Through seperate 20mm knockouts perhaps??

 

[Sintra]

Thanks, the metalclad unit is a good idea... for the SWA side, but what about coming out of the metalclad with tails? Through seperate 20mm knockouts perhaps??

Think you need to rethink that. You can't bring tails through separate holes in a metal clad enclosure.

 

[Sintra]

You could however bring them into the bottom of the unit through a single hole protected by a grommet or through a nylon dome topped gland.

 

[Colin33]

And then on into seperate lengths of steel conduit? :smiley2:

 

[Sintra]

And then on into seperate lengths of steel conduit? :smiley2:

Are you trying to wind me up. April fools was yesterday

 

[Colin33]

Would you get two 25mm tails though a single gland?

 

[Colin33]

I'm always a bit late...sorry. I'm still on the yellow book ;-)

 

[Sintra]

Would you get two 25mm tails though a single gland?

Yes if you use a big enough gland.

 

[Hawkmoon]

Are you trying to wind me up. April fools was yesterday

I don't think anyone is going to better you on that one...Olaf!

 

[Sintra]

I'm always a bit late...sorry. I'm still on the yellow book ;-)

I'm sure the reg for ferrous enclosures was still included in that version. The reg number in the current edition which you should be using is 521.5.1

 

[Colin33]

I'm joking about the book of course, but I have to admit, the last time I looked at one of these books was during my half day 17th update all those years ago

Anyhow, that must be a massive gland to fit two 25mm's through! Surely too big to fit in a 25mm knockout?

 

[Sintra]

I'm joking about the book of course, but I have to admit, the last time I looked at one of these books was during my half day 17th update all those years ago

Anyhow, that must be a massive gland to fit two 25mm's through! Surely too big to fit in a 25mm knockout?

That enclosure will happily take a 38mm gland possibly even a 50mm. I would say you would get 2 x 25mm tails into a 32mm.

 

[Darkwood]

How ever you you enter the box with your tails if they are exposed they need to be double insulated and restrained in some manner so any external movement on the cable will not act directly on the terminations... can you not terminate into a 25mm metal through box and bush it to the box running the cores straight through and tapping of the box for earth?

 

[Colin33]

I may just opt for the grommet, got plenty of those... Thanks for the suggestion though, I was trying to work with what I already had but it makes for more sense to splash out on one of these for a much neater job! Even better if I can take the tails out of the top of the unit, with the swa entering at the bottom...

 

[Colin33]

How ever you you enter the box with your tails if they are exposed they need to be double insulated and restrained in some manner so any external movement on the cable will not act directly on the terminations... can you not terminate into a 25mm metal through box and bush it to the box running the cores straight through and tapping of the box for earth?

Not sure what you mean there... are we talking about the tails here?

 

[CockneyReject]

That enclosure will happily take a 38mm gland possibly even a 50mm. I would say you would get 2 x 25mm tails into a 32mm.

32mm stuffers bang on, will let 2 x 25mm tails and a 16mm earth out no problem and iirc on the Wylex 110M's it's a 32mm knock out so jobs a good'un for our clueless OP and is ALOT neater than a grommet

 

[Colin33]

Oi Oi Oi ! Clueless... thanks cockney reject

 

[Darkwood]

Splashing out!!!... a stuffing gland of the correct size maybe a quid at that, drill a bigger hole if necessary, you sound very defeative tbh .. if it makes the job look more professional then spend a few quid extra ... if its your own house then its not really an issue as long as its functional and safe.

 

[Colin33]

I meant on the switch, not the gland!!
It's not my own house but what stated as a relatively simple layout has got bigger and bigger and I'm running out of space on the wall!! Already have all the sola PV stuff, then a supply to a sauna, and now another to a seperate 'cabin' outside.... it's tricky getting a neat n tidy layout when things are added all the time... a bit like adding another circuit to an already neatly stuffed CU ;-)

 

[CockneyReject]

Oi Oi Oi ! Clueless... thanks cockney reject

your welcome mate

like darkwoods already said a 32mm stuffer ain't a lot of money and if a Wylex units too pricey for you CEF do a metal clad range for not a lot of money and a 32mm hole saws not going to break the bank either, why be defeated by something so simple?

 

[NickD]

Set of very fine hole saws currently on sale in either Aldi or Lidl for a tenner

 

[dazza1981]

Yeah and after doing 2 holes they have less teeth than most of the chumps on the jeremy kyle show

 

[shanky887614]

I'm sure the reg for ferrous enclosures was still included in that version. The reg number in the current edition which you should be using is 521.5.1

Turn it into a figure of 8 and no problem

 

[Colin33]

Get out of it CR... I'm not defeated! If I was I wouldn't be here asking for opinions would I? I've seen things done in all sorts of different ways, so it's nice to ask how others deal with such situations, especially when you normally work for yourself and don't have a whole company of experience to draw on. I think my wholesalers only keep the 'Basics' range in stock so that's all I'll be able to pick up in the morning. I don't reckon they have a 32mm knockout either...so it may have to be a grommet out of a 25mm hole.

 

[shanky887614]

Get out of it CR... I'm not defeated! If I was I wouldn't be here asking for opinions would I? I've seen things done in all sorts of different ways, so it's nice to ask how others deal with such situations, especially when you normally work for yourself and don't have a whole company of experience to draw on. I think my wholesalers only keep the 'Basics' range in stock so that's all I'll be able to pick up in the morning. I don't reckon they have a 32mm knockout either...so it may have to be a grommet out of a 25mm hole.

Just use grommet strip then.

They should have that on the shelf

a heat gun makes it a lot easier to apply with the thicker stuff

 

[Sintra]

Turn it into a figure of 8 and no problem

No problem electrically with doing that but it's a bit unsightly on the outside of an enclosure. Also compromises IP ratings if on the top surface.

 

[Colin33]

Set of very fine hole saws currently on sale in either Aldi or Lidl for a tenner

Our chippy swears by Lidl drill bits... and he normally moans about just about everything!!

 

[shanky887614]

No problem electrically with doing that but it's a bit unsightly on the outside of an enclosure. Also compromises IP ratings if on the top surface.

personally I would rather have them coming out same hole.

ive got a 12-38mm cone cutter in bag so no probs for me with hole too small (if I need bigger then 52mm step cutters are availible)

 

[Colin33]

No problem electrically with doing that but it's a bit unsightly on the outside of an enclosure. Also compromises IP ratings if on the top surface.

Just on the top surface??

 

[NickD]

Yeah and after doing 2 holes they have less teeth than most of the chumps on the jeremy kyle show

Poor technique mate

 

[NickD]

Just on the top surface??

It's just that it's easier to compromise the top surface because that has to be to IP4X or equivalent (can't admit 1mm dia object) other surfaces only IP2X (10mm object, British Standard Finger, oooh Matron).

 

[CockneyReject]

Is your wholesaler a little bloke from Peckham with a battered old briefcase and a yellow 3 wheeler??

I really can't see how a wholesaler doesn't have 32mm stuffing glands on the shelf it's hardly a specialist item even the smaller ones in the more remote parts of the county I live in keep them on the shelf and no2 arbours and 32mm hole saws so I'd be very surprised if your local doesn't hold them in stock

 

[Darkwood]

TBH xt600 Given that you have been given various solutions that are neat and comply yet come out with various excuses from a wholesaler not stocking the basics to suddenly having no room to fit anything ... what is it you want from us then your a member of nearly 3 yrs and assuming from previous threads that your a practicing Electrician to the public although you give o profile details then you should be expected to first assess the job - quote it if required and get the correct gear .... if your lacking available room you may need to create more room or re-site the isolator (all this should have been assessed already).

Tails through grommets as you describe wont be acceptable and your mention you rarely look at the regs book?... if this is the case how do you know if your work complies, ive been doing this job for 25yrs and advising on regulations on here for several yrs and I have to refer to it at least every few weeks, you mentioned running into a metal clad board through 2 different holes to fit your tails in and i genuinely believe you didn't realise this was a big no-no....

Weigh the job up correctly at the quoting stage
Have the correct loose stock
Get a wholesaler who stocks basic electrical accessories
Use your regs book more often.... having the 17th update cert' only shows you know about new amendments but it comes across you are less clear about other regulations.

Drop the excuses, always give a professional standard of work and keep a good stock of spares with you, having various grommets as what seems your only stock item is poor level of preparation you'll spend more time running around wholesalers and either cutting your profit margin or unfairly charging customers for time because you dont carry the basics ... 20 - 32mm stuffing glands should be part of your stock IMHO!


Sorry to get slightly off hand but you were starting to sound like a young apprentice always got excuses why they can't do what has been suggested ....take as constructive advice and not a rant at you :book:

 

[gazj82]

Even if I couldn't find a 32mm stuffing gland on my van, I bet I could find a 32mm bush and lock ring. Then use a couple of clips to keep the tails steady if needed.

 

[Guest55]

1. the metclad sw-fuse sintra posted will almost certainly have 20 / 25 /32mm knockouts in the casing , you shouldnt have to drill anything.

2. you dont need 25mm tails anyway for a 63A supply..........

 

[Octopus]

Me thinks the OP only wants to use bits he's got, or ripped off from another job, and doesn't want to get his wallet out!!

 

[telectrix]

Me thinks the OP only wants to use bits he's got, or ripped off from another job, and doesn't want to get his wallet out!!

maybe he's a yorkshire man.

 

[Darkwood]

[/COLOR]


maybe he's a yorkshire man.

Tight but not that tight Mr Tel .. Ill have you know I folked out £5 quid on our lasses xmas gift ...Ohh and still had change for a pint ontway home!

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Tight but not that tight Mr Tel .. Ill have you know I folked out £5 quid on our lasses xmas gift ...Ohh and still had change for a pint ontway home!

That's ma boy... spoil em I say!

 

[Colin33]

TBH xt600 Given that you have been given various solutions that are neat and comply yet come out with various excuses from a wholesaler not stocking the basics to suddenly having no room to fit anything ... what is it you want from us then your a member of nearly 3 yrs and assuming from previous threads that your a practicing Electrician to the public although you give o profile details then you should be expected to first assess the job - quote it if required and get the correct gear .... if your lacking available room you may need to create more room or re-site the isolator (all this should have been assessed already).
Yes, been a member for 3 years of this and other forums, but rarely visit due to the condescending and patronising way some members treat others for simply asking questions.

Tails through grommets as you describe wont be acceptable
I would argue this point Mr Darkwood, surely if the IP rating is maintained what is the problem?? and your mention you rarely look at the regs book?... if this is the case how do you know if your work complies, ive been doing this job for 25yrs and advising on regulations on here for several yrs and I have to refer to it at least every few weeks, Which just goes to prove what an ambiguous publication this is. When the pen pushers who write this stuff and charge us £80 as often as they possibly can to read it actually write something that is universally understood by electricians I may just consult it a little more often! you mentioned running into a metal clad board through 2 different holes to fit your tails in and i genuinely believe you didn't realise this was a big no-no....Although I completed my training nearly 15 years ago this was actually one of the things i DO remember! I was just playing Devil's advocate...it appealed to my humour, but in hindsight maybe it was inappropriate.

Weigh the job up correctly at the quoting stage Fortunately I didn't have to quote for this particular job. It's a two year project. Things get changed or added almost every day so although it's a very interesting build (passivhaus) it can be frustrating at times.
Have the correct loose stock
Get a wholesaler who stocks basic electrical accessories I shall pass on this message to Denmans! As I guessed, they didn't actually stock a 32mm gland!!
Use your regs book more often.... having the 17th update cert' only shows you know about new amendments but it comes across you are less clear about other regulations.

Drop the excuses, always give a professional standard of work and keep a good stock of spares with you, having various grommets as what seems your only stock item is poor level of preparation you'll spend more time running around wholesalers and either cutting your profit margin or unfairly charging customers for time because you dont carry the basics ... 20 - 32mm stuffing glands should be part of your stock IMHO! Funny, but I probably have a lot more 'stock' than you do, but it won't be all electrical. Last week I was fitting a wet underfloor heating system, the week before I was constructing radon traps and laying concrete floors. This weekend I will be fitting an EPDM roof. Next month I have a kitchen to fit and some wood flooring to lay. And I guess you're now thinking of the old saying 'jack of all trades, master of none'? Well, I've been self employed for 26 years and never once had to advertise my services, my works vehicle isn't even sign written, and although ALL my work is through recommendation I have almost never found myself short of work.
I think I must be doing SOMETHING right, and the diversity of my job keeps me very happy indeed!


Sorry to get slightly off hand but you were starting to sound like a young apprentice always got excuses why they can't do what has been suggested ....take as constructive advice and not a rant at you :book:

Unlike some people, who think they know absolutely everything, I do consider myself an 'apprentice' most of the time. I can happily accept that there's always something new to learn. Particularly with electrics because it's not a full time occupation for me, and sometimes I come accross unfamiliar situations and seek to ask advice. Fortunately, there are some professional forum members who offer this helpful advice. Unfortunately, there are others like Mr. Reject who's comments are as useful as a fart in a wetsuit. What a pity they don't have anything more constructive to do in the evenings...