containment question

[martin mcguinness]

As far as I was aware cable tray is adequate containment in a plant room for non armoured cables to be ran on. I ran some 2.5mm butyl cables for immersion heaters and cable tied them to the cable tray and another electrician had stated they should be ran in armour cable as the containment isn't enough. These cables are in plain view on a tray behind various equipment so no chance of being struck by anything so can anyone point out where I went wrong. do I need to change the cables
My other concern is I have been asked to wire a workshop for a mate using cable tray at high level and plastic conduit drops to sockets and lights using t+e then running armours for the ramps and compressor by the reasoning of the electrician slagging my work this should be incorrect. has there been a change I the regs I don't know about or am I just getting old.

 

[westward10]

I would not call traywork containment more a support system.

 

[telectrix]

T/E or other suitable sheathed cable is fine on tray as long as you can establish that it's suitable for the environment.

 

[martin mcguinness]

fair enough but is there a problem with it as I often see various cables ran on cable tray in plant rooms

 

[westward10]

I don't see a problem provided it is suitably installed.

 

[martin mcguinness]

so any idea where he is coming from as cables were adequately supported so why is he trying to tell the customer it should be in armour
to explain situation I done the controls in a commercial building plant room as he got frightened by the control panel this is how I found it


I had to alter the controls to suit new boilers (sorry didn't take photo of finished item) the other electrician done the rest of the building
he got a bit miffed when I asked for a larger supply as I was installing 6 immersions in 2 calorifiers so needed a larger supply so he ran a 16mm 4 core and terminated at the connector top right instead of taking to the isolator. he got upset when I pointed out the 16mm cables should terminate at the 63a isolator

 

[Spoon]

These cables are in plain view on a tray behind various equipment so no chance of being struck by anything so can anyone point out where I went wrong

If the Butly cables are suitable for the environment they are installed in then all is fine.
If the cables are in plain sight and do not need mechanical protection, as you have stated, then there is no need for SWA.

 

[martin mcguinness]

whats his issue then or is he just being a plank

 

[Spoon]

whats his issue then or is he just being a plank

The latter....

 

[Baker1988]

People have different opinions about what you can and can not do, if you beleave you are right then argue your case with him, tell him to tell you exactly what he thinks is wrong with it and see if you agree if not tell him.

Fyi i think it is fine on tray.

 

[Nigel]

Tray is not containment.

Pvc mechanical protection is only suitable in areas where cables are not likely to be subject to impact of any kind.

Only the installer can decide if the cables are suitable.

 

[cliffed]

I had a similar problem,with a clerk of works,he insisted metal trunking in the plant room areas.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Use tray lid.

 

[Pete999]

Tray is not containment.

Pvc mechanical protection is only suitable in areas where cables are not likely to be subject to impact of any kind.

Only the installer can decide if the cables are suitable.

If tray is not "containment" what is it classed as?

 

[telectrix]

If tray is not "containment" what is it classed as?

support. it's containment if lidded.

 

[Pete999]

support. it's containment if lidded.

Thanks for that Tel

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Must admit, I’ve always lumped tray in as containment.
If it’s flat against a wall, on the floor or upside down on a ceiling, it’s just something convenient to tie cables to.

 

[Spoon]

These cables are in plain view on a tray behind various equipment so no chance of being struck by anything

Use tray lid.

Is lid really needed in this case? I think not.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Is lid really needed in this case? I think not.

If they insist on having them covered, might be easier and cheaper than having to remove the tray and replace with trunking or replacing the cables with armoured.
Another thing I would like to know, is whether metal tie wraps have been used?