Old conductor colours in new installation

[easymart]

I'm starting a refurb of a large factory unit, splitting it into several smaller units. the main pannel is being upgraded and there will be new supplies to each new unit with a new DB in each. basicaly its a brand new elec installtion in an old building.

The client has asked for the existing lights to be split for each unit and fed from the new boards making it a new circuit.

my question is, can i use the existing red & black cables and just rewire the feeds?

This is how the boss wants me to do it cos its cheeper! I don't think we can re-use the old cables in a new installation as the cable colours are not compliant with the current set of regs. For me, I would have to Fail the installation on the Inspection. Am i right or just being picky?

 

[baldsparkies]

How about a warning label stating the wiring is to two versions of BS 7671. Cant see a problem with that. You can pick them up at most electrical wholesalers.

 

[lloyd1980]

mate we've come accross this loads, we were doing the same last week , Ie splitting old insallation up into new area's with boards etc, it is all in old singles - red / black , Just wire all your new stuff but at the DB's and at the Origin make sure there are loads of yellow - caution this installation contains two colours of the BS7671 wiring stickers slapped all over it and you'l be fine.
Hope this helps

forgot to add, make sure the old stuff is in good nick and not shot to peices before adding to it with new cable

 

[baldsparkies]

With lloyd on this.It's not a problem as said just get the warning labels on your new board. Mention it as a departure on your certs.

 

[easymart]

Cheers guys, still confused tho.

Using the warning labels for two conductor colours is fine when i'm adding new circuits in an old installation but this is, in effect a new installation in its entirety. you cant go putting red & black cables in a new build and then sticker it up. this is bassically doing the same isn't it? New circuits, new lights, new switches, new address etc etc.

It's all singles with no cpc (metlework used for cpc). I'm pulling in a new cpc throughout cos i have to use pvc tube to contain the new feeds. some of the cables need replacing but some don't, so I'm going to have to spend a load of time working out what can stay and what has to be replaced! In my veiw doing anything other than wireing the ccts completely is a waste of time and also wont comply.

I dont realy care about the time side of it, (sounds bad, but if you worked for my firm you'd understand!) Its a case of my name goes on the certificates for instalation and testing, (if my engineer had his way i'd be signing for design too, even tho i have no input on the design) I get shafted at every corner if something turns out to be wrong at the end of a job, so it's got to be complient.

 

[baldsparkies]

Its a refurb with new and altered circuits along with board changes ect. As long as you label as said and note departures on your certificates it really is not a problem. The integrity of existing cables will be verified in your tests.
As for the colours give me red yellow and blue any day over brown black and grey. I know which I find easier to identify in low light conditions, but thats just an opinion along with my opinion of changing a first class colour identification system to keep our friends in europe happy.
(Shame the forum doesn't allow swearing I have a few choice words on the subject) Sorry of topic

 

[easymart]

Cheers baldsparkies,
Can't say i'm entierly convinced but i do agree with what you've said, I'll note the departures and carry on.

I have to admit the old (proper) colours are a lot easier to work with especially in low light as you say, and wouldn't cause daft questions being posted on websites!!!!
Bloody brussells no good for anything, and i hate sprouts!

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

i would say unless you sre pulling the old cables right out and re installing them somewhere else then its just an alteration so 2 colour stickers and a note in the cirt should do