Pre-drilled holes in trunking EICR Code

[indspark23]

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Morning,

Company had an external contractor coming in to complete an EICR recently. They have gave us the report with a C2 for holes in trunking at high level. For reference, this trunking has been pre-drilled with 20mm holes at set distances on either side. Within this trunking is multiple single core and multicore cables but no live parts. Personally, I think it's overkill but not had a lot of experience with test/inspection coding.

The main tester on site has also recently became director of the company so I may be thinking cynically that he was merely trying to provide easy work for his business

 

[westward10]

Most people will Code 2 this if single insulated conductors are exposed. The fact it is high level is not relevant as you cannot use out of reach as a means of protection in most general installations.

 

[indspark23]

That’s fair enough. Just wanted a second opinion on it so cheers for that

 

[James]

A bag of 20mm blanking plugs will sort it. Easy fix
dont even need to open the trunking.

Vimark Closed Grommets 20mm 100 Pack - Screwfix

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[indspark23]

That’s exactly what we are doing as speak haha! A ball ache but an easy job. 300 down and not even half way yet😂

 

[DPG]

A bag of 20mm blanking plugs will sort it. Easy fix
dont even need to open the trunking.

Vimark Closed Grommets 20mm 100 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Protects cable from rough and sharp edges. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Access to single insulated cables without the use of a tool. Oooh I'm in a mischievous mood today

 

[mainline]

Access to single insulated cables without the use of a tool. Oooh I'm in a mischievous mood today

Would that mean any consumer unit with plastic push in blanks is not compliant ? Or a wago jb.

 

[DPG]

Would that mean any consumer unit with plastic push in blanks is not compliant ? Or a wago jb.

Wago JBs should have a cable tie fitted through the loop provided. This needs cutters to remove it.

 

[mainline]

Wago JBs should have a cable tie fitted through the loop provided. This needs cutters to remove it.

I maybe wrong, but I think that's only when used MF there are many junction boxes that have clip on lids, but wouldn't be compliant for inaccessible locations

 

[DPG]

I maybe wrong, but I think that's only when used MF there are many junction boxes that have clip on lids, but wouldn't be compliant for inaccessible locations

No, you can use the cable tie feature any time you use a wago box, regardless of whether you need it to be MF or not. And then it needs a tool to open it.

 

[mainline]

No, you can use the cable tie feature any time you use a wago box, regardless of whether you need it to be MF or not. And then it needs a tool to open it.

You MUST use the tie to be MF compliant, but you don't have to use it when used in accessible areas.


DPG said:
Access to single insulated cables without the use of a tool.

As already said, there are many Junction boxes that can be opened exposing single insulated cables that can be opened without the use of a tool, including single push in blanks in a DB.

 

[DPG]

You MUST use the tie to be MF compliant, but you don't have to use it when used in accessible areas.


DPG said:
Access to single insulated cables without the use of a tool.

As already said, there are many Junction boxes that can be opened exposing single insulated cables that can be opened without the use of a tool, including single push in blanks in a DB.

I was just replying to your example of a wago JB not needing a tool to open it.

 

[nicebutdim]

You MUST use the tie to be MF compliant, but you don't have to use it when used in accessible areas.

Accessible areas which require a tool to access?

 

[mainline]

Accessible areas which require a tool to access?

I was on about wago Mf jbs needing the tie to be compliant when used as MF, but not having to use it when it's accessible.

 

[mainline]

I was just replying to your example of a wago JB not needing a tool to open it.

It's all confusing, time for another southern comfort.

 

[DPG]

It's all confusing, time for another southern comfort.

Yeah I think you might have missed my point. No worries, might have a little snifter myself. Cheers!

 

[James]

Access to single insulated cables without the use of a tool. Oooh I'm in a mischievous mood today

Would someone be so kind as to give me a Reg No. for this?

 

[DPG]

Would someone be so kind as to give me a Reg No. for this?

I wish I'd never mentioned it now

 

[davesparks]

Access to single insulated cables without the use of a tool. Oooh I'm in a mischievous mood today

I thought 'deliberate action' had been added to that or am I imagining it?

 

[loz2754]

"521.10.1
Non-sheathed cables for fixed wiring shall be enclosed in conduit, ducting or trunking.
Non-sheathed cables are permitted if the cable trunking system provides at least the degree of protection IPXXD or IP4X, and if the cover can only be removed by means of a tool or a deliberate action."

The last bit about deliberate action is a little vague in its intent...

 

[DPG]

I thought 'deliberate action' had been added to that or am I imagining it?

Good point. Bet 'deliberate action' isn't defined anywhere!

 

[DPG]

"521.10.1
Non-sheathed cables for fixed wiring shall be enclosed in conduit, ducting or trunking.
Non-sheathed cables are permitted if the cable trunking system provides at least the degree of protection IPXXD or IP4X, and if the cover can only be removed by means of a tool or a deliberate action."

The last bit about deliberate action is a little vague in its intent...

Good find. Cheers!

 

[Avo Mk8]

I hadn't come across IPXXD before. From a quick Google it seems a way of establishing safety by testing - using a probe 1mm dia and 100mm long and checking it cannot come into contact with live parts. As stated, single insulated cable is not regarded as a live part.
It seems a bit extreme to poke a probe into every hole in a completed length of trunking, but doing a sample would be one way of demonstrating the trunking is compliant (that is assuming the trunking has a cover requiring a tool to remove)

I think there's grounds for challenging the C2, unless I've missed something 🤔

From Voltimum (so it must be true 🤪):-

IPXXD: ​

For this degree of protection, only the third letter ‘D’ is relevant. The letter ‘X’ signifies that the first and second letter protection levels are not specified. BS EN 60529:1992 + A2:2013 states the requirement for ‘D’ as the degree of protection required for protection of persons against access to ‘hazardous parts’. An access probe having a maximum diameter of 1mm and maximum length of 100 mm, when inserted into any gap or joint within an enclosure with an applied force of 1 Newton, must not make contact with ‘hazardous parts’.