Meter tails in ceiling ?

Edders · Oct 24, 2020

Hi all,

I am moving a CU from next to the meter to about 1.5 meters away on an adjacent wall. Am I OK to run the meter tails through the ceiling void between the joists (plasterboard ceiling) to the new CU position or is a case of installing an isolator and 25mm swa?

Many thanks

loz2754 · Oct 24, 2020

More info need to give an answer.
Will the tails be longer than 3m?
Will any part of the tails be in a wall at a depth of less than 50mm?

buzzlightyear · Oct 24, 2020

Edders said:
Am I OK to run the meter tails through the ceiling void between the joists (plasterboard ceiling)

Edders said:
1.5 meters away

would be move then 1.5 meters from the what you are saying .

Strima · Oct 24, 2020

Personally I would be going with a switched fuse, this would allow for a point of isolation and afford the tails some protection rather than relying on the DNO fuse.

Dependant upon the installation method you might be fine with running the tails as they are if not either RCD or SWA.

01laverickd · Oct 24, 2020

Why 25mm swa?

snowhead · Oct 24, 2020

Are the tails coming down the wall surface or buried to the new C.U position or is the C.U to be at high level?

Edders · Oct 25, 2020

snowhead said:
Are the tails coming down the wall surface or buried to the new C.U position or is the C.U to be at high level?

The c.u will be at high level

Edders · Oct 25, 2020

loz2754 said:
More info need to give an answer.
Will the tails be longer than 3m?
Will any part of the tails be in a wall at a depth of less than 50mm?

No not more than 3 m, in the ceiling but then coming out at ceiling height into board at high ish level

Edders · Oct 25, 2020

01laverickd said:
Why 25mm swa?

That's what I'm asking, if its necessary or not.

loz2754 · Oct 25, 2020

Edders said:
No not more than 3 m, in the ceiling but then coming out at ceiling height into board at high ish level

Then I don't see any technical reason why you would need swa or a switch fuse.

Edders · Oct 25, 2020

loz2754 said:
Then I don't see any technical reason why you would need swa or a switch fuse.

Thank you for response, I just wasn't 100 per cent about the tails being in the ceiling. So as long as they are coming down the wall surface or are buried at more than 50mm in the wall then that's fine as well?

DefyG · Oct 25, 2020

Unless the meter is already at a high level I find it hard to believe the tails will be 3m or less as I generally find - from external meter box to ceiling = 2.5m (includes 0.5m through cavity wall and in meter box)
In ceiling (from what I understand from your post = 1.5m
From ceiling to repositioned consumer unit 0.5m (min)
Total = 4.5m

pc1966 · Oct 25, 2020

As above, 3m of wire gets used up surprisingly quickly!

I would really check/measure the distances involved first. Have you got pictures and/or a drawing of the planned route?

Edders · Oct 25, 2020

DefyG said:
Unless the meter is already at a high level I find it hard to believe the tails will be 3m or less as I generally find - from external meter box to ceiling = 2.5m (includes 0.5m through cavity wall and in meter box)
In ceiling (from what I understand from your post = 1.5m
From ceiling to repositioned consumer unit 0.5m (min)
Total = 4.5m

Yes the meter is also at high level, but yes you're right I will double check the measurements its going to be close to 3m that's for sure

Edders · Oct 25, 2020

pc1966 said:
As above, 3m of wire gets used up surprisingly quickly!

I would really check/measure the distances involved first. Have you got pictures and/or a drawing of the planned route?

No pics sadly, but yes I will double check, its going to be close to the 3m for sure