External Earth Cable Protection

[SteveSmallholder]

Hi I have a house where in order for the rising main to be earthed, the earth goes around the outside of the property to the fuse box in 10mm cable clipped to the wall at damp proof level. It has no conduit protection. I have recently asked an electrician to upgrade the fuse box and he suggests that the earth is non compliant it is not protected.

Is this the case and what should the cable be protected by?- solid or corrugated trunking?

Any thoughts would be welcome

 

[Ian1981]

Well I'd personally mechanically protect it if I'd installed it however bs 7671 gives a minimum CSA of 4mm where mechanical protection is not needed for applications such as supplementary bonding and earthing where the conductor is not part of a cable or mechanically protected.
maybe he means the main earthing conductor should be 16mm? Or is the 10mm for the gas or water?

 

[westward10]

It is also prone to solar damage.

 

[Richard Burns]

It is almost certainly not non compliant but it could be improved. There are many millions of cables installed in this manner. It could most easily be enclosed in conduit though getting the end of the cable available may be inconvenient.

 

[Pete999]

Hi I have a house where in order for the rising main to be earthed, the earth goes around the outside of the property to the fuse box in 10mm cable clipped to the wall at damp proof level. It has no conduit protection. I have recently asked an electrician to upgrade the fuse box and he suggests that the earth is non compliant it is not protected.

Is this the case and what should the cable be protected by?- solid or corrugated trunking?

Any thoughts would be welcome

I would also be concerned about a possible bridge of the DPC

 

[SteveSmallholder]

Just to clarify, the earth cable goes from the fuse box to the water pipe by the stop tap.

 

[Midwest]

Think meeces like green and green & yellow cables.

 

[Leesparkykent]

It's not UV tolerant so should ideally be covered. After 10years or so of being battered by the sun the insulation will go brittle and crack etc.

 

[static zap]

If its a substatial cable - Metal theives are of concern.
( in an exposed state it is being regularily inspected !)

 

[telectrix]

ideal would be to enclose in black pvc conduit. to do this obviously, to thread it through, entails disconnecting one end. this should be done (in an ideal world) with the installation isolated from supply.

 

[Ian1981]

ideal would be to enclose in black pvc conduit. to do this obviously, to thread it through, entails disconnecting one end. this should be done (in an ideal world) with the installation isolated from supply.

That's the exam answer you've just given

 

[telectrix]

That's the exam answer you've just given

it's my pedantic time of the month.

 

[Ian1981]

it's my pedantic time of the month.

That was over quick then

 

[telectrix]

or just cut it half way, thread tube (and elbows) over both halves of cable, fit through box, add saddles/clips, crimp joint cable in through box. 30 minutes - done.

 

[SteveSmallholder]

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Was not aware PVC is not UV tolerant?
I guess all those PVC windows will have to come out?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Was not aware PVC is not UV tolerant?
I guess all those PVC windows will have to come out?

Trust you to put a spin on things....maybe because windows are UPVC and cable is PVC.

 

[Ian1981]

Unplasticiced polyvinyl chloride.
Does not decompose or change colour/rot in sunlight.
Google it!

 

[Wilko]

In another place not governed by BS7671 practice was to paint over exposed cable if it was on a painted surface to slow the UV attack. Wilko rates a good slather of plastic paint SPF 100 .

 

[telectrix]

that plastic paint is cheap. it has to be for all these female models and celebs to trowel it on their faces.