Dodgy SWA cable

[Sintra]

I think we have installed a dodgy BS6724 4 x 150mm SWA cable.

This cable was purchased through a national wholesaler but appears to be of a poor quality noticably the outer insulation. Problem is it was delivered to site on Friday evening, lifted onto the roof yesterday morning and installed straight away. Cable runs straight down a service riser from the roof level and goes down 9 floors to the basement where it sweeps through 90 degrees to go to the switch room. At this point the outer insulation split badly exposing the wire armouring. This morning I have visually inspected the cable throughout its entire length and noticed that every couple of meters there is a uniform score on the outer insulation approx 300mm long and that there are no visible BASEC or any embossed markings for that matter on the insulation. I am beginning to think this a dodgy cable, has anyone else come across anything similar?

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[Octopus]

I'd be interested to hear what the supplier says

 

[Sintra]

I'd be interested to hear what the supplier says

Yea so will I because the only way this thing is coming out again is in bits lol. Then it will cost another £7000 to get a crane and a road closure etc. to get a new drum up to the roof.

 

[GMES]

It does sound suspect Sintra as you say it is an hell of a job to replace! but all costs would need to be covered by wholesaler is it a large wholesaler or an independent. you will also want some form of compensation for all the inconvenience that you suffer

 

[Rockingit]

As above, but I guess the first question you'll be asked is why wasn't it spotted earlier in the install and could it have been damaged when it was run out. Of course, the fact it isn't BASEC stamped does leave them with very little room to wriggle.

That being said - take a look at this cut length of 16mm that I got shipped last year, I refuse to believe that someone didn't spot it when they were coiling it up for delivery!!



Amazingly it tested absolutely fine, so we just chopped that end off and used it anyway as we were up against a deadline, but still....

 

[SPARTYKUS]

As above, but I guess the first question you'll be asked is why wasn't it spotted earlier in the install and could it have been damaged when it was run out. Of course, the fact it isn't BASEC stamped does leave them with very little room to wriggle.

That being said - take a look at this cut length of 16mm that I got shipped last year, I refuse to believe that someone didn't spot it when they were coiling it up for delivery!!

View attachment 22497View attachment 22498View attachment 22499

Amazingly it tested absolutely fine, so we just chopped that end off and used it anyway as we were up against a deadline, but still....

its got a hernia

 

[Sintra]

It does sound suspect Sintra as you say it is an hell of a job to replace! but all costs would need to be covered by wholesaler is it a large wholesaler or an independent. you will also want some form of compensation for all the inconvenience that you suffer

It was supplied by one of the largest if not the largest wholesalers in the UK.

 

[Kate]

Replaced cable, all costs for reinstalling including man hours. Gunna cost a bomb. Tell them about job deadline that it needs sorting asap or they pay the penalty fees that must be on the job contract.

 

[Sintra]

As above, but I guess the first question you'll be asked is why wasn't it spotted earlier in the install and could it have been damaged when it was run out. Of course, the fact it isn't BASEC stamped does leave them with very little room to wriggle.

In hindsight yes it should have been checked pre install. There are still around 11 laps of cable left on the drum on the roof and it has the same damage so hopefully this will prove it was not damaged by installing.

 

[Plonker 3]

Sounds like you will get a good drink out of the tat then

 

[Sintra]

Replaced cable, all costs for reinstalling including man hours. Gunna cost a bomb. Tell them about job deadline that it needs sorting asap or they pay the penalty fees that must be on the job contract.

The only saving grace is that i'm not that pushed for time on it. Only reason it was put in so early was because we had a crane in to lift the genny and air handlers etc. on to the roof yesterday. Suppose there's no harm in telling them a little white lie though

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Sounds like you will get a good drink out of the tat then

That could be advantageous

 

[telectrix]

just wrap some black tape round it if it's a council job.

 

[Sintra]

just wrap some black tape round it if it's a council job.

I wish lol the electrical consultant in this place is ---- hot.

 

[Octopus]

I wish lol the electrical consultant in this place is ---- hot.

Nice - maybe he should offer his services to the schemes and do some spot checks on installs around and about!

 

[Rockingit]

I wish lol the electrical consultant in this place is ---- hot.

Nice to see a mod getting around the swear filter..... :35:

 

[Sintra]

Nice to see a mod getting around the swear filter..... :35:

Had to check this was in the arms lol otherwise I would have been issuing myself an infraction

 

[Plonker 3]

There is a mod a football forum I go on that actually managed to ban himself.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

There is a mod a football forum I go on that actually managed to ban himself.

Hes not called Tony Butler is he

 

[Plonker 3]

No, don't tell there is more than one that has managed it in the past lol

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I do Tonys electrics. Jeez he's a character. No end of stories.