circuits wired in flex?

[gap30]

hi all,

had a bit of a discussion with a guy at work today, carrying out a periodic and there was a circuit wired in flex at the DB, i seem to think this is a code 2 but cannot find anything in the regs to back this up?

is it ok for circuits to be wired in flex?

 

[dingledong]

as long as they are the correct size yes

 

[gap30]

ok thanks for reply

 

[Engineer54]

Depends on what type of ''Flexible'' cable your talking about!! I wouldn't call appliance type flexible cable, suitable for building wiring... But it seems anything goes these day's, so nothing really much surprises anymore on the forums Threads and posts!! ....lol!!

 

[Hawk81]

Can you tell me why you think that flex is not suitable for building wiring?

 

[Richard Burns]

Have a look at 521.9 this permits flexible cable if meeting the regs and of heavy duty type or mechanically protected.

I would not have though it would be a good idea, but it is still just a conductor.

For a PIR it would not be coded just because it was flex.

 

[madmac]

Listen, regardless of whether it's clearly defined in the regs or not, I agree with Engineer 54. It is bad practice and again sets a low standard of installation that no self respecting electrician would even contemplate putting their name to!!!
As for a PIR, I would note it down as deviation from the regs. because it is agreed practice to use recognised types of cables for "hard wiring" as we used to call it, before all this shoddy practice was introduced!!!
Next, people will be saying it's ok to use bell wire for fir alarms and it's ok to use multi core flex to carry 240v circuits alongside ELV circuits just because it's easier than running two seperate and segregated circuits!!!!

 

[malcolmsanford]

Mac it can't be a deviation if it is allowed in the regs can it mate.

Whether it is regarded as bad practice or not, if your doing a PIR and find a circuit wired in flex then you can't code it unless it is undersized or mechanically compromised in some way.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Its used in the fabric of a motor home or canal boat. If anything it could be argued it have extra properties although i would be worried if vibration, etc was a concern in one's house!

However doesnt feel nice as madmac says, I suppose not the done thing

 

[roukel01]

I would never do it, but this came up when I was doing my 2391. The guy taking the course said "as long as it is installed, inspected and tested to the regs, then there's no problem in using flex"

Again, I wouldn't do it, but if you are carrying out a PIR, the only time it would be noted as an observation, is if there is a problem with the circuit or installation methods.

 

[Hawk81]

This makes me laugh, the ones who are against it just keep saying its bad practice. Sorry lads it's not. It's not a deviation, or against the regs. It just something you personally don't like. I happen to agree in the fact that I would not wire circuits in a house in flex but I wouldn't try and force my opinion on others. The facts are it is up to the individual and that is it

 

[SPARTYKUS]

No forcing of opinion on my part hawk, its a forum, just expressing!

 

[Hawk81]

I was not meaning you

 

[i=p/u]

i wire lighting circuits in flex long as its clipeed through its length, but i do use t&e to switch

 

[Mr.Ian]

the trouble with flex is when you get someone that cuts some of the strands of the multicore conductor when stripping it, they then end up with a smaller CSA and a higher resistance and lower current capacity without knowing it. Also over time when terminating more and more strands will break off making the situation worse. I can understand it being used in certain lighting situations but certainly not under plastered walls.