Consumer unit under stairs

[sparky24]

Hi,
Just after your thoughts on the following-
I am running a 25mm armoured from a KLM switch fuse to a consumer unit under the stairs in a domestic property. I intend to gland into a joint box and take 6181Y meter tails to the consumer unit. Under the 18th a edition the consumer unit needs to be metal but is there anything preventing me used a plastic adaptable box under the stairs instead of a metal one?

 

[brianmoooore]

Nothing whatsoever. Can't you take the SWA directly into the CU?

 

[westward10]

I would always use steel for a 25.0 swa.

 

[sparky24]

Nothing whatsoever. Can't you take the SWA directly into the CU?

Thanks for your input Brian. Yes I could at a push but due to location it would be easier to take meter tails to it. I didn't see a problem with a plastic box but I just started to question myself

 

[SJD]

If you do use a plastic box, make sure it is strong enough not to crack or disintigrate when you gland the SWA into it, and the SWA doesn't want to sit exactly where you need it to.

 

[brianmoooore]

I would always use steel for a 25.0 swa.

So would I, but I answered the question as asked.

 

[littlespark]

I’d make the gland off, fit it to the box and THEN screw it to the wall… rather than trying to bend the cable to an already fixed box… that’s when you get the stress on the plastic.

 

[sparky24]

I’d make the gland off, fit it to the box and THEN screw it to the wall… rather than trying to bend the cable to an already fixed box… that’s when you get the stress on the plastic.

Yes, good point. I'm limited for space so it will boil down to what the best size box is available be it metal or plastic. I agree with the other comments that metal is the preferred one for 25mm swa.

 

[WallaceP]

Look out if you are trying to get a 25mm into the earth bar of a consumer unit tho.