Common two Armoured cables

[Strickers]

Hi Guys

I have some remedial works to do on a site with static caravans. They are all fed in 25 2c swa in radial's supply to supply all circuit protection is fine and the insulation resistance tests between L - N are fine. Problem lays with the armouring the have failed leaving very poor continuity. They can't be re glanded because the are concreted into the floor and too short customer wont pay for re-wire just need the cpc continuity. Was going to trim them back common them together with external earth clamps and 16mm G/Y and take it into box through a stuffing gland, lash loads of self amalgamating tape round it to seal it best possible. Any other ideas looked at raychem kits but the boxes and gland plates are in that bad state I wound end up replacing the lot.

Any other plans bar the obvious 'you need a re-wire it's been rotting for 40 years' and walking away.

Thanks Paul

 

[steve-the-hat]

I come across this a lot with static and touring caravan hook ups. I usually change the supply to TT and use an earth rod or two

 

[Strickers]

I've thought about that steve, but I still won't get continuity of CPC to the end of each radial i'm already having to change the site from PME to T-T the place is a nightmare.

 

[telectrix]

even if you TT each static, you've still got to earth that armour. just have to do the best possible in the circumstances.

 

[johnboy6083]

If you are gona go down the clamp route, then dont use tenbys. Use roll spring constant tension clamps, they're the ones that come with jointing kits.

Are you sure that the armour is going to last upto the point your gona attach a CPC? I'd be careful with this one mate, you may end up in trouble in the future.

 

[Engineer54]

I've thought about that steve, but I still won't get continuity of CPC to the end of each radial i'm already having to change the site from PME to T-T the place is a nightmare.

If the owner doesn't want to re-invest and renew a year 40 year old installation that is deteriorating to the point in it being unfit for service, ...Beware!!! Somehow, at the end of the day, YOU have to sign this caravan site off, and the use of lashings of amalgamating tape ain't gonna cut it!! If all the panels and the SW armouring of the cables are in that bad a state, which i can quite image after 40 years of service. How are you going to be able to make this installation safe and fit for purpose??

 

[mogga]

exactly what I was thinking Auldyin As for tenbys on swa thats asking for even more bother

 

[Strickers]

I know precisely what your saying engineer54, personal choice the whole place would get re-wired now. In an ideal world I would switch off all affected circuits and condemn them. The client has agreed the work requires being done have put a 2-3 year plan into place starting in new year to completely re-wire over 2 years in sections, this is a temporary measure. I could just walk away in a huff and say it needs all doing now but frankly he would just get some one else. I'm fully aware this is no way near best practice but it will avoid any issues with earthing at the moment.

 

[Engineer54]

Strickers,

This is an installation that is going to be used by the paying public, he has a statutory duty to provide a safe and fit for purpose electrical connection to these caravans.

The other thing is how are you going to provide that safe installation on a temporary basis, when the panels are rusting away and you have no earthing on the supplying cables?? If the council or other bodies inspect this site, they would shut him down there and then, they certainly wouldn't risk giving him 2 years to replace this 40 year old installation...

The only way your going to get to that corroded armouring is by breaking up all those concrete pads the cables are set in. It's surely going to cost this guy more in providing a temporary solution, than starting this permanent renewal work now!!

 

[steve-the-hat]

I have to agree with E54 here. This whole site sounds like a real can of worms and personally I would not ever do anything as a "temporary measure".

Your client may agree to your three year plan now, but can you be sure he won't postpone it once his immediate problem is sorted? I know sites which have had "temporary" fixes in place for twenty years.

If the client gets someone else in, then it will be their problem and not yours.