Meter tails & Protection

robo83 · Nov 29, 2017

Had a look at a job last night and the customer had another electrician bury the cables with a bodge method of protection (they were planning on plastering over them as they are) (image attached). The tails run from the meter (out of view at bottom floor level), up into the ceiling and to the consumer unit which is just left of the image at high level.

I have advised the current method is not sufficient and was planning on chasing the wall 50mm and putting a plate over the top to offer the mechanical protection. Moving the CU closer is not an option due to the kitchen design.

Any other ideas to approach this?

Pete999 · Nov 29, 2017

robo83 said:
Had a look at a job last night and the customer had another electrician bury the cables with a bodge method of protection (they were planning on plastering over them as they are) (image attached). The tails run from the meter (out of view at bottom floor level), up into the ceiling and to the consumer unit which is just left of the image at high level.

I have advised the current method is not sufficient and was planning on burring 50mm and putting a plate over the top to offer the mechanical protection. Moving the CU closer is not an option due to the kitchen design.

Any other methods to approach this?

View attachment 39506

Burring????

robo83 · Nov 29, 2017

Edited it Pete

buzzlightyear · Nov 29, 2017

looks to me more then 3 meters . the best way for those cables is to box them in.

robo83 · Nov 29, 2017

They are just over 3m, I am changing the CU (the existing is a horror show) and I can move it right slightly.

That corner has integrated oven and microwave, I maybe able to get them on the back wall which means they are out of view (units not ceiling height).

buzzlightyear · Nov 29, 2017

delete

Midwest · Nov 29, 2017

That was a good idea, shame about all those little holes. Guess with the knives its in a kitchen, so surface might not be an option?

Leesparkykent has a link to some 3mm capping, designed for said pupose. PM him.

Edit; just remember to keep it out the way of the fixings for the wall units, or the kitchen fitter will blunt his drill!

Ian1981 · Nov 29, 2017

Mechanical protection to meter tails or any cable is difficult to achieve as even the on site guide gives 3mm plate steel as an example but even this maybe insufficient against nail guns and the like
Not that your average home owner wields about a nail gun of course....,,,,,

The Ghost · Nov 29, 2017

How about through the wall at the bottom and up the other side?? I think you did mention that couldn't be quite sure though.

Octopus · Nov 29, 2017

If he'd run them closer to the corner of the room, they would have been in a safe zone!

buzzlightyear · Nov 29, 2017

Murdoch said:
If he'd run them closer to the corner of the room, they would have been in a safe zone!

he could box them into the corner .

buzzlightyear · Nov 29, 2017

could you not run the tails from the bottom like vort said .

robo83 · Nov 29, 2017

That is an idea , I'll double check with customer as it could be an option.

Midwest said:
That was a good idea, shame about all those little holes. Guess with the knives its in a kitchen, so surface might not be an option?

Leesparkykent has a link to some 3mm capping, designed for said pupose. PM him.

Edit; just remember to keep it out the way of the fixings for the wall units, or the kitchen fitter will blunt his drill!

I will have a look, thanks

Ian1981 said:
Mechanical protection to meter tails or any cable is difficult to achieve as even the on site guide gives 3mm plate steel as an example but even this maybe insufficient against nail guns and the like
Not that your average home owner wields about a nail gun of course....,,,,,

you would think they have used a nail gun in here, or at least the previous electrician did. used it to shoot out all the blank plates and RCD from the CU (no RCD protection to anything

Vortigern said:
How about through the wall at the bottom and up the other side?? I think you did mention that couldn't be quite sure though.

I didnt consider this as the opposite wall is near the front door, but it maybe an option. Thanks

Murdoch said:
If he'd run them closer to the corner of the room, they would have been in a safe zone!

I'm sure he wasn't aware of such zones.

buzzlightyear said:
he could box them into the corner .

This is my first option at the moment, if i put them at the back corner they may fit behind the units.

robo83 · Nov 29, 2017

buzzlightyear said:
could you not run the tails from the bottom like vort said .

Checking with customer now

Octopus · Nov 29, 2017

^^ judging by the "protection" he has used, has he read and understood BS7671 ?

westward10 · Nov 29, 2017

Ian1981 said:
Mechanical protection to meter tails or any cable is difficult to achieve as even the on site guide gives 3mm plate steel as an example but even this maybe insufficient against nail guns and the like
Not that your average home owner wields about a nail gun of course....,,,,,

I don't have an OSG but should this plate be earthed or is it just acting like armour. Can this suggestion be found in BS7671?

Ian1981 · Nov 29, 2017

westward10 said:
I don't have an OSG but should this plate be earthed or is it just acting like armour. Can this suggestion be found in BS7671?

It says nothing about earthing the plate.
I think if you did it would need soldering on as any other connection would need to be accessible for testing and inspection.
I think that an earth covering like that of armour of a swa ,it has to be acceptable as a cpc in its own right to be considered as earthed protection/containment.

Ian1981 · Nov 29, 2017

westward10 said:
I don't have an OSG but should this plate be earthed or is it just acting like armour. Can this suggestion be found in BS7671?

Midwest · Nov 29, 2017

Ian1981 said:
View attachment 39511

I'll take that to bed with me tonight, I've been having trouble sleeping

Ian1981 · Nov 29, 2017

Midwest said:
I'll take that to bed with me tonight, I've been having trouble sleeping

Sweet dreams

westward10 · Nov 29, 2017

So this little snippet is not in BS7671.

Midwest · Nov 29, 2017

westward10 said:
So this little snippet is not in BS7671.

Might take that with me as well, really bad at the mo.

Ian1981 · Nov 29, 2017

westward10 said:
So this little snippet is not in BS7671.

No but it does mention regulations just above.
As far as I can see in bs 7671 it mentions mechanical protection for cables non rcd protected or out of zone but does not go into detail.....
Go figure so it’s all interpretation and guess work again why they can’t elaborate I do not know?

Midwest · Nov 29, 2017

I've got me OSG, BS7671, GN8 and a copy of Gardeners Weekly. Could be a long night

Ian1981 · Nov 29, 2017

Midwest said:
I've got me OSG, BS7671, GN8 and a copy of Gardeners Weekly. Could be a long night

I would add a copy of GS38 to the list to finish you off.
2mm tips or 4mm?
Oh the dilemma!!

Midwest · Nov 29, 2017

Is okay until the flipping milkman delivers the milk at 3. I mean what was wrong with a milk float. Friggin diesel truck now, I mean honestly.

HandySparks · Nov 29, 2017

westward10 said:
So this little snippet is not in BS7671.

The OSG is just giving one option to comply with 522.6.204 (iv), 'mechanical protection against damage sufficient to prevent penetration of the cable by nails, screws and the like'. ie, if sufficiently robust, it doesn't need to be earthed metal.

Leesparkykent · Nov 29, 2017

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

This is the stuff...I order it through electric centre. My local branch now keeps a few lengths on the shelf.

Des 56 · Nov 29, 2017

I don't know,whats with all this flimsy material,whatever happened to angle iron

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