Which conduit and which cable for underground?

HappyHippyDad · Jun 11, 2013

I am going out to view/quote for a job tomorrow which entails putting up some lights along a long driveway (earth). I have only had a brief chat with the lady so until tomorrow have very little information.

She did say that her husband has already dug the trench and laid some conduit for the cable to go in.

I would have been much happier with SWA, but I want to be prepared for them refusing to take up the conduit.

I've read lots of threads and cant seem to see anything definite on which type of conduit is suitable for underground.. some say PVC is ok joined with PVC cement, i dont like this as cant see how it would 'offer same level of protection as SWA', plus its not going to be very flexible. What about the flexible corrugated conduit?

Also which type of cable can I use buried in conduit underground? T&E? - but if the conduit did let water in at some point T&E isn't suitable. A rubber flex? Bit worried about pulling that through and breaking the strands.

Again I will suggest SWA but just want to be prepared.

Cheers..

telectrix · Jun 11, 2013

think you'll have to see what he's put in. if it's plastic and big enough, feed SWA through it. let us know what he's done before quoting. has he buried it deep enough? has he put warning tape above? if either is wrong and he won't alter it, walk away.

HappyHippyDad · Jun 11, 2013

Cheers Tel, I'll make sure its 18" and has the warning tape, but I'd still be interested in knowing what types of conduit are suitable and which cables can go in them.

Guest55 · Jun 11, 2013

happyhippydad said:
some say PVC is ok joined with PVC cement,

i wouldnt consider standard pvc rigid conduit for underground , bit naff really and not its intended use

What about the flexible corrugated conduit?

You mean 2" poly flexy ducting ? yep , much better , designed for the job.

Also which type of cable can I use buried in conduit underground? T&E? - but if the conduit did let water in at some point T&E isn't suitable. A rubber flex? Bit worried about pulling that
through and breaking the strands.

i'd still use swa if i could , so long as the home owner installed 25mm conduit and not 20mm then you can still get a 2.5 3 core swa down it.
failing that , maybe SY braided flex is next best thing - rcd protected.

Again I will suggest SWA but just want to be prepared.

Cheers..

...............

Guest55 · Jun 11, 2013

what voltage are the driveway lights ?

if 12v / selv then you'll be ok with T&E

if 230v then forget T&E
;-)

Knobhead · Jun 12, 2013

Walk away.

You ask if you can run T+E in a buried conduit you haven’t seen?

I hate to say this HHD but someone is going to get hurt if you go ahead.

HappyHippyDad · Jun 12, 2013

Tony said:
Walk away.

You ask if you can run T+E in a buried conduit you haven’t seen?

I hate to say this HHD but someone is going to get hurt if you go ahead.

Well Tony, thats one of the first times you have responded to my posts and I'm pleasently suprised at the restraint :wink_smile:, thankyou..

I'm having a look tonight and I may well 'walk away' unless I'm comfortable with it. I would be interested in why T&E isn't suitable if using the correct conduit (waterproof and armoured - i.e the poly flexi ducting Biff suggested)?

telectrix · Jun 12, 2013

97HUF - HITUF Energy Cable

PERHAPS TIS WOULD BE SUITABLE AS LONG AS THE CONDUIT/DUCTING CAN BE CLASSED AS MECHANICAL PROTECTION.

Engineer54 · Jun 12, 2013

It'll be interesting if the OP took some photo's of this DIY trench and pipeing.

HappyHippyDad · Jun 12, 2013

Engineer54 said:
It'll be interesting if the OP took some photo's of this DIY trench and pipeing.

Have just been to the site. The trench has been dug, conduit laid, trench dug in. 2" circumference plastic conduit laid. Chap is quite happy with SWA to be put through.. hooray! 70m driveway.
However apart from 1 large wattage flood light at the top entrance gate he wants the gates to open with a remote!! Out of my depth and told him so. I’ve never fitted an electric gate, I’d love to know how?? but will not be practising on an unwitting stranger! Disappointed though . Its a bit of a pain in the arse not being a proper electrician and having morals :sad_smile:

However, he also wants 3 flood lights replacing around the stables and 2 extra put in. At present he has done it all himself and just plugged them all in as seen from the pics, so at least I will get some work tidying it all up and making safe :smiley2:

Geordie Spark · Jun 12, 2013

happyhippydad said:
Well Tony, thats one of the first times you have responded to my posts and I'm pleasently suprised at the restraint :wink_smile:, thankyou..

I'm having a look tonight and I may well 'walk away' unless I'm comfortable with it. I would be interested in why T&E isn't suitable if using the correct conduit (waterproof and armoured - i.e the poly flexi ducting Biff suggested)?

Tony's in a good mood today.

There's a blue moon in the sky tonight too !!

ipf · Jun 12, 2013

Geordie Spark said:
Tony's in a good mood today.

There's a blue moon in the sky tonight too !!

Made of cheese, is it ?

Bobbyh · Jun 12, 2013

happyhippydad said:
Have just been to the site. The trench has been dug, conduit laid, trench dug in. 2" circumference plastic conduit laid. Chap is quite happy with SWA to be put through.. hooray! 70m driveway.
However apart from 1 large wattage flood light at the top entrance gate he wants the gates to open with a remote!! Out of my depth and told him so. I’ve never fitted an electric gate, I’d love to know how?? but will not be practising on an unwitting stranger! Disappointed though . Its a bit of a pain in the arse not being a proper electrician and having morals :sad_smile:

However, he also wants 3 flood lights replacing around the stables and 2 extra put in. At present he has done it all himself and just plugged them all in as seen from the pics, so at least I will get some work tidying it all up and making safe :smiley2:

well done on walking away from installing electric gates, the regulations are a total minefield. As the installer you are responsible for them complying with the regs. If you don't and someone gets hurt or worse then your neck will be on the block

telectrix · Jun 12, 2013

happyhippydad said:
Have just been to the site. The trench has been dug, conduit laid, trench dug in. 2" circumference plastic conduit laid. Chap is quite happy with SWA to be put through.. hooray! 70m driveway.
However apart from 1 large wattage flood light at the top entrance gate he wants the gates to open with a remote!! Out of my depth and told him so. I’ve never fitted an electric gate, I’d love to know how?? but will not be practising on an unwitting stranger! Disappointed though . Its a bit of a pain in the arse not being a proper electrician and having morals :sad_smile:

However, he also wants 3 flood lights replacing around the stables and 2 extra put in. At present he has done it all himself and just plugged them all in as seen from the pics, so at least I will get some work tidying it all up and making safe :smiley2:

70m. whatch your VD on that length of run.

Geordie Spark · Jun 12, 2013

telectrix said:
70m. whatch your VD on that length of run.

He'll be fine ....... his mum has told him to always use a condom.

Deleted member 9648 · Jun 13, 2013

Tony said:
Walk away.

You ask if you can run T+E in a buried conduit you haven’t seen?

I hate to say this HHD but someone is going to get hurt if you go ahead.

Typically brainless and unhelpful comment.

tidyboiler · Jun 13, 2013

Geordie Spark said:
He'll be fine ....... his mum has told him to always use a condom.

So why didn't you listen to your Mother? :banghead:

trev · Jun 13, 2013

happyhippydad said:
Have just been to the site. The trench has been dug, conduit laid, trench dug in. 2" circumference plastic conduit laid. Chap is quite happy with SWA to be put through.. hooray! 70m driveway.
However apart from 1 large wattage flood light at the top entrance gate he wants the gates to open with a remote!! Out of my depth and told him so. I’ve never fitted an electric gate, I’d love to know how?? but will not be practising on an unwitting stranger! Disappointed though . Its a bit of a pain in the arse not being a proper electrician and having morals :sad_smile:

However, he also wants 3 flood lights replacing around the stables and 2 extra put in. At present he has done it all himself and just plugged them all in as seen from the pics, so at least I will get some work tidying it all up and making safe :smiley2:

Use your head on this one HHD! You may not have the knowledge and experience to install an electric gate but your know someone who specialises in it (nudge nudge) What you do is YOU approach a gate installer and get them to give YOU a price for it, you then add a little on for your time and trouble and you have a happy customer

keniff · Jun 13, 2013

I always run swa in conduit anyway, some one will thanks you in years to come if they do damage it and can pull a new one in, never know it could be you called back!!

HappyHippyDad · Jun 13, 2013

trev said:
Use your head on this one HHD! You may not have the knowledge and experience to install an electric gate but your know someone who specialises in it (nudge nudge) What you do is YOU approach a gate installer and get them to give YOU a price for it, you then add a little on for your time and trouble and you have a happy customer

I like it Trev :wink5:

Trouble is it was a bloody nice bloke, nice wife and nice mum, just wouldn't feel right! I'll never be a millionaire :sad:

telectrix · Jun 13, 2013

go with trev's advice here. you can do all your work and fit a supply for the gates. then get a gate specialist in. whether or not you add a finders fee to his cost is up to you, but if you have built up a good relationship with the customer, doing it this way will get them the gates done and boost your rep.

trev · Jun 14, 2013

happyhippydad said:
I like it Trev :wink5:

Trouble is it was a bloody nice bloke, nice wife and nice mum, just wouldn't feel right! I'll never be a millionaire :sad:

What's the difference between you doing this and for arguments sake a builder getting your price and adding a bit on to the householder? None at all mate, it isn't immoral or anything underhand and as Tel says puts you in a massively good light.
Your client had a problem which YOU resolved, that's huge amounts of credibility for you mate. Credibility and good service = more chance of referrals

Geordie Spark · Jun 14, 2013

happyhippydad said:
I like it Trev :wink5:

Trouble is it was a bloody nice bloke, nice wife and nice mum, just wouldn't feel right! I'll never be a millionaire :sad:

There's nothing at all wrong or immoral in doing what Trev suggests. YOU are saving the customer the time and hassle of finding someone else to do the job !!

YOU would actually be HELPING him !!

HappyHippyDad · Jun 14, 2013

Decided I'm going to do it myself anyway! Just going to attach a piece of string to one of the cows (who likes to stay by the gate munching away) and tie it to the gate. Car pulls up frightens the cow, gate opens :wink_smile:. Job done!!

ps.. And before I get anyone saying thats against the regs.. I will be using very strong string!!!

trev · Jun 15, 2013

Remember, you may have to bond the cow. Otherwise, a perfect solution.
This time next year you'll be a millionaire

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