Old Dog New Tricks ... Renovating an old Warehouse

[Mighty Grimm]

Hello, I’ve been asked to rewire an old warehouse and, having had the SWE folk install an isolation switch, I popped in a split CU and have been happily running new cable hither and yon.
However, my C&G Quals were many moons ago and I’ve been fiddling about with telecoms ever since, so my knowledge of wiggly amps is sketchy to say the least (and yes, I do intend to have my work checked by someone registered).
So, if you’ll forgive some numpty questions:
Do the tails to/from the CU need to be crimped?
I’ve been asked to run 10 mm T&E into the CU - the cable won’t fit the punch outs, so can I break out the L/N/E and feed them in separately or do I need to butcher the CU?
Many thanks for any help

 

[kingeri]

No, no and no.

 

[Pete999]

No, no and no.

What he said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Richard Burns]

As above ↑↑
10mm² T&E punch / taper / step drill out a larger hole or use a thinner grommet.

 

[Octopus]

Do you really mean a split cu? Or a dual cu?

 

[westward10]

Oh dear......

 

[cprfenom]

Line and neutral should pass through the same hole in any situation. You could get a larger stuffing gland for the 10mm2 or come in through containment. Dont forget you need to maintain the IP rating of the enclosure. As for the tails, no they do not need crimping, but need to be correctly rated for the supply and installation method

 

[Mighty Grimm]

Gents, many thanks for your replies. Even the short one.
Murdoch: it’s split, but it sounds like I’ll have to add another and make it dual.
Cprfenom: you get the prize for the most useful answer.
I have no intention of sitting the Part P and then calling myself a sparkie, but I am trying to make as few mistakes as possible so I have fewer to fix come inspection time. Your helpful advice is much appreciated.

 

[Pete999]

Gents, many thanks for your replies. Even the short one.
Murdoch: it’s split, but it sounds like I’ll have to add another and make it dual.
Cprfenom: you get the prize for the most useful answer.
I have no intention of sitting the Part P and then calling myself a sparkie, but I am trying to make as few mistakes as possible so I have fewer to fix come inspection time. Your helpful advice is much appreciated.

Mr Grimm, leave the work to those who know what they are about.

 

[camerabloke]

Popcorn ready.........

 

[Pete999]

Popcorn ready.........

Pop corn may be a bit tame, now a decent Malt may do the trick

 

[camerabloke]

Malty popcorn?

 

[Pete999]

Malty popcorn?

NO Malty stuff in expensive looking bottles fro Tecos

 

[camerabloke]

Is that a hint for Christmas? Ask mrspete999

 

[Andy78]

Pop corn may be a bit tame, now a decent Malt may do the trick

Treat yourself while it's cheap
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Talisker-S...e_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&tag=hotukdeals062-21

 

[Pete999]

Is that a hint for Christmas? Ask mrspete999

Asking anyone

 

[camerabloke]

Treat yourself while it's cheap
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Talisker-S...e_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&tag=hotukdeals062-21

£24 is cheap enough

 

[Leesparkykent]

Without sounding rude.....it does come across that you may need some help with the design from an electrician who can come and see the job. Do you know an electrician that could come take a look and give you some advice? My initial thoughts are that twin and earth wouldn't be my 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc choice of cable in a warehouse, a split load/dual RCD board would certainly not be my 1st choice of a board in a warehouse. Splitting the cores of the twin and earth and feeding them through seperate holes sounds like a complete bodge and no no if the boards metal. I would seriously consider if your the right person for the job.

 

[MJPD29]

No we don' want eddy current to make an appearance

 

[Mighty Grimm]

Well, the inspection is scheduled for next week so let’s see what comes of that.

 

[elsparko]

eddy eddy eddy oi oi oi, T+E for a warehouse? drill a bigger hole in your CU and use tails or SWA depending on where the CU is located and what machinery is going about

 

[telectrix]

Asking anyone

a good choice as a treat would be Laphroaig( spelling might be out).open the bottle smell the peat that it was prepared over. YUMMMEEEEE.

 

[Andy78]

a good choice as a treat would be Laphroaig( spelling might be out).open the bottle smell the peat that it was prepared over. YUMMMEEEEE.

The marmite of malts. Plenty of lovers and haters for that one. I'm a lover though
£25 at ASDA right now too. (I may be researching cheap Malt deals to get a few in for Christmas)

 

[I2C]

Crimped Meter Tails
The meter tails are usually crimped for a good connection, and while I would advise it, it's not actually listed in the regulations (as far as I can see) and therefore not strictly necessary.
However, make sure to check the CU manufactures instructions.

10mm Twin & Earth
I'm intrigued to know what the 10mm twin & earth is being used for? Only in case the cable-calculations are incorrect, no offence though, I'm sure they're fine albeit uncommon. I'd recommend a different CU which can handle the conductor-sizes in question. I wouldn't recommend that you "butcher the CU".

Butchering the CU

Line and neutral should pass through the same hole in any situation. You could get a larger stuffing gland for the 10mm2 or come in through containment. Don't forget you need to maintain the IP rating of the enclosure.

If you meant that the cables can't pass through the same hole in the CU enclosure, I agree with cprfenom. Line and Neutral must pass through the same hole in a conductive (metallic) enclosure to prevent dangerous eddy-currents.
However, many electricians mistake this point in the 3rd amendment to the 17th Edition to mean 'metal CU' when it actually means 'non-combustible CU'. There are non-metallic CUs on the market which are in full-compliance, and there's no need to pass line and neutral conductors through the same hole with these because eddey-currents can't occur.

 

[HandySparks]

Crimped Meter Tails
The meter tails are usually crimped for a good connection...

I've never seen this. Why would it be necessary? Do you have any example pics?

10mm Twin & Earth
... I'd recommend a different CU which can handle the conductor-sizes in question. I wouldn't recommend that you "butcher the CU".

I'm not aware of any CU that won't accept 10mm² T&E. No need to change it.

There are non-metallic CUs on the market which are in full-compliance...

Do you have any specific examples of non-metallic CUs that comply with Amdt 3 for use in domestic premises?

 

[elsparko]

I've never seen this. Why would it be necessary? Do you have any example pics?



I'm not aware of any CU that won't accept 10mm² T&E. No need to change it.



Do you have any specific examples of non-metallic CUs that comply with Amdt 3 for use in domestic premises?

crimping for MCBs and other distribution equipment is mainly for industrial/commercial, although its not a requirement on non domestic it seems to be an unwritten rule.

 

[westward10]

I always crimp my tails, never let it be said I have nothing better to do.