CU Entry, Old 1980s cable (?)

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

Hi,

Does anyone recognise this cable? Within it is all twin & earth but the externals are different colours (orange for 2.5, blue for 1.5 etc.). I believe someone told me this cable was specifically for being plastered over. Inside the cores have a lot of free air.

If I know what it's called I might be able to find specific grommets for a new CU I'm installing soon. Or I use the Wiska ones or I convert all cables to new grey twin/earth with a junction/marshalling box.

[ElectriciansForums.net] CU Entry, Old 1980s cable (?)

Baddegg · Jan 31, 2019

Should be made of Teflon if it’s designed for a plasterer to go anywhere near it!

buzzlightyear · Jan 31, 2019

top entry or bottom entry ,or back entry, lol.

just use closed whisker grommets .

davesparks · Jan 31, 2019

jon557 said:
Hi,

If I know what it's called I might be able to find specific grommets for a new CU I'm installing soon. Or I use the Wiska ones or I convert all cables to new grey twin/earth with a junction/marshalling box.

I don't quite follow this, why do you need special grommets to fit this cable? How would installing a junction box solve this?

buzzlightyear · Jan 31, 2019

orange is the new grey or blue is the new grey .

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

So the options I identified were:
1) Some sort of grommet specific for this oval cable
2) Perhaps the whiska membrane grommets work, never seen them before. Sounds like they will.
3) Worse case scenario I have a box next to my CU that crimps all these cables into new grey twin & earth, which would then be more normal for entering the CU.

I think Wiska it is. No one has recognised this cable yet then?

A032701 · Jan 31, 2019

never seen it before!!
is there any particular reason why you cant use normal flat t and e cable glands?

buzzlightyear · Jan 31, 2019

jon557 said:
So the options I identified were:
1) Some sort of grommet specific for this oval cable
2) Perhaps the whiska membrane grommets work, never seen them before. Sounds like they will.
3) Worse case scenario I have a box next to my CU that crimps all these cables into new grey twin & earth, which would then be more normal for entering the CU.

got any pics for the old cu .

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

I think I'm stuck again, I need 9 cables to enter the new CU but these cables are 20mm X 10mm and most entry points are 20mm x 20mm.

snowhead · Jan 31, 2019

I believe that it's not cable, it's singles inside sleeving, used in Local Authority builds in the 70's.
If I'm correct then they were factory made to fit standard unit sizes then laid out and buried in concrete floors and walls.

westward10 · Jan 31, 2019

They are not cables as such more like a wiring system called OctoFlex or similar which never really took off.

buzzlightyear · Jan 31, 2019

jon557 said:
If I know what it's called I might be able to find specific grommets for a new CU I'm installing soon.

why are you changing that board ?

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

snowhead - You're right, I only just remember. Singles and yes this place is all concrete floors and these cables disappear into them.

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

I am changing the board for many reasons. I have 3 boards with eco7, all eco7 devices can now be set digitally to switch on so I don't want the multiple units/cables. One board is an old fuse board, I want rid of that. Only half the circuits are covered by RCD, installing all RCBO instead etc.

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

I'm also a complete geek so I'm putting in type 2/3 SPD, help protect my equipment but also trying an AFDD on my main ring mostly just out of interest.

telectrix · Jan 31, 2019

jon557 said:
I'm also a complete geek so I'm putting in type 2/3 SPD, help protect my equipment but also trying an AFDD on my main ring mostly just out of interest.

afdd's and spd's????? more money than sense... fur coat and no knickers.

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

Only 1 AFDD!

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

£150 at cef.

snowhead · Jan 31, 2019

If the cable inside is Twin and earth, not singles as I thought, (maybe another system) then just trim the outer coloured sleeves off at the wall and treat the T&E as normal.

telectrix · Jan 31, 2019

sort the bloody thing as rear entry to the CU. if i doubt, squirt some funny foam.

davesparks · Jan 31, 2019

jon557 said:
I think I'm stuck again, I need 9 cables to enter the new CU but these cables are 20mm X 10mm and most entry points are 20mm x 20mm.

So drill bigger holes in the box!

davesparks · Jan 31, 2019

jon557 said:
So the options I identified were:
1) Some sort of grommet specific for this oval cable
2) Perhaps the whiska membrane grommets work, never seen them before. Sounds like they will.
3) Worse case scenario I have a box next to my CU that crimps all these cables into new grey twin & earth, which would then be more normal for entering the CU.

I think Wiska it is. No one has recognised this cable yet then?

Why woukd you need a special grommet? The usual round open grommet you'd use with other cables will be fine.

Why do you think adding extra joints in to the circuits woukd be a good idea? You'd still need a suitable grommet or gland at the entry to the joint box.

westward10 · Jan 31, 2019

snowhead said:
If the cable inside is Twin and earth, not singles as I thought, (maybe another system) then just trim the outer coloured sleeves off at the wall and treat the T&E as normal.

Absolutely not T&E within that whatever it is.

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

I shall give standard grommet a go, it's just going to be tight as the oval cable is 20mm and most holes are 20mm, the grommet will use 1-2mm, I'll just have to squeeze the cable a bit.

jon557 · Jan 31, 2019

Thanks for the help chaps. Clearly my 1986 building is a little special haha

-

-

-

davesparks

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

davesparks

davesparks

-

-

Similar Threads

OFFICIAL SPONSORS