surface laying SWA

Rhys Hewitt said:

if you want to hear why else i think it would be dangerous laying it on the ground i would say small animals could chew or tamper with it maybe someone who didn't know what it was could try to remove it along with other dangers witch i can not think of this is why i asked on here in the first place

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odawire said:

This is SWA were talking about its pretty tough, I wouldn't worry too much if it was on the ground or just below the surface, it will obviously be tucked away around plants and stuff. OP- Just please make sure its properly terminated or it could be seriously dangerous!

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markc123 said:

I wouldn't like to come across a small animal that's capable of chewing through swa lol.

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McN41R said:

Rhys, i thought you question was very good and valid, unfortunately you never got many well considered answers. I think you are concerned that an electrician may scare you into an expensive option when cheaper options are available.

i am an electrical consultant and not an electrician and don't get guidance notes from the likes of NICEIC or ECA (which are often very helpful). I understand the comments with respect to fences and each fence should by judged on merit (remembering the electrical installation has a tabulated life expectancy of 15 years).

A cable should be installed in a fixed manner ie to a fixed item such as wall, other structure, ground etc) and installed in a manner to prevent future damage. This would rule out:
1. Laying a cable loose on the ground.
2. To a fence with limited life expectancy or not structurally sound
3. Laying a cable below the surface just below the ground and covered with the likes of slabs.
4. Other variations.

you options:
1. clip direct to a structurally robust wall.
2. Tench or duct (by electrician).
3. Trench or duct (trench prepared by you).

The making and back filling of the trench is very expensive and I would cosider the previous recommendation of preparing this yourself. Ask your an electrician for a cost for trench requirements.

As for trench depths I usually use the national jointing utilities group guidance. (Free download) at 450mm, but this may be lower for a private dwelling (I think 250mm springs to mind but would need help on this one?).

regards
McN41R

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As for trench depths I usually use the national jointing utilities group guidance. (Free download) at 450mm, but this may be lower for a private dwelling (I think 250mm springs to mind but would need help on this one?).

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Engineer54 said:

Are you sure?? 450mm may be fine in some instances, but certainly not in most. As for private dwellings, burying a direct buried cable at 250mm is just asking for trouble in the future. Rule of thumb and commonsense comes in very handy here, eg, rule of thumb, depth should be at least 2 X the length of a standard spade or fork, or just state 600mm because that has been the standard depth for direct buried cables since i first came into this industry, ....and that was a very long time ago!! lol!!!

If were talking ducted cable burial, then depth allowances can be made, depending on the ducting material and it's mechanical strength...

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Rockingit said:

There's more rubbish in this thread than my local landfill.

You've got three options....clip it, hang it or bury it. Its not a nuclear warhead we're discussing.

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Geordie Spark said:

Sounds like my ex wife we're discussing.

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McN41R said:

I am sure about 450mm. 600mm is over design and is a consultant wasting other people's (mostly their clients) money without good reason.

You can always refer to the free download from the national jointing utilities group, volume 1, table 1.

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