Metal capping outside the 150

[p11jor]

Hi all just thinking when doing a rewire and running the cables down into the meter cupboard then these are never within the 150mm from edge, tomorow I am going to put metal capping over these, how do I connect a earth to this steel? Should I just run a 4mm from the earth block below?

 

[johnboy6083]

Capping does not provide mechanical protection once it is plastered over. It is only used to stop the cables being damaged by the plasterers trowel! You could drill straight through capping and you wouldn't even notice. You install it with nails!

 

[p11jor]

Steel capping?

 

[johnboy6083]

Even steel capping. Try drilling through it. It's like a hot knife through butter.

 

[p11jor]

Isn't it in the regs though if your cable is not 150 from the edges or running inline with sockets and switches horizontal or vertical then steel earthed protection must be used?

I will have to check when I get my regs out.

 

[johnboy6083]

Yes but the preferred methods of achieving this are by using, steel conduit, steel trunking, or a steel plate. I beleive the steel plate has to be min 2mm thick. Not too sure about the last point though. IMO, if it's difficult to pierce with a drill bit, then it's ok.

 

[p11jor]

Sorry that's what I was getting at! So does this have to be installed to all the incoming cables above the meter cuboard if out of the 150?

 

[1shortcircuit]

Sorry that's what I was getting at! So does this have to be installed to all the incoming cables above the meter cuboard if out of the 150?

Surely they will be "Clipped Direct" therefore visible and will also be protected with "Additional Protection" in the form of RCD's?

Failing that, ensure they are buried no less than 50mm in the wall

Or, just another suggestion, box the cables in???

 

[SPARTYKUS]

No.... The consumer unit is like socket, left right up down is safe. You can see the cu! If you THEN find someone has drilled directly below above left right of it, well..... They're very very silly ....

 

[p11jor]

I am talking them being plastered over?

 

[DaveyD]

No.... The consumer unit is like socket, left right up down is safe. You can see the cu! If you THEN find someone has drilled directly below above left right of it, well..... They're very very silly ....

Re plastered over - I agree with above so long as the tails are still visable why would that be a problem?

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Tails agreed, a different kettle of fush. Or is that fish

 

[RogertheBodger]

I think a fush is what you make when the plasterer nicks your cables.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Caught one flattening one of my cable runs once. With a claw hammer.

"it'll be alreet"


Well it wasnt it was popped!

 

[rocker]

Am I drunker than I thought?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Isn't it in the regs though if your cable is not 150 from the edges or running inline with sockets and switches horizontal or vertical then steel earthed protection must be used?

I will have to check when I get my regs out.

NO. The requirement is to install at a deapth greater than 50mm,
or use a cable which incorporates an earthed metallic sheath,
or earthed conduit or trunking,
or provide mechanical protection sufficient to prevent penetration of the cable by nails and screws.
or to route the cable in a safe zone and provide RCD protection.
There is no specific mention of earthed protection.

 

[Big n Daft]

Why is this so complicated.
Read the On Site Guide.
I must be missing summat.

 

[1shortcircuit]

As SPARTYKUS states then. Follow the designated zones as in VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL of the CCU.

 

[Paul.M]

And as Spinlondon has said if cable is less than 50mm it needs rcd protection, if not rcd it needs mechanical protection, simples. Osg page 21-22 off the top of my head .

Also if clipped direct/visible no need to do anything.

 

[Octopus]

If you're doing a rewire, you'll be fitting a dual RCD board or all RCBO's, so the cables will have protection!