Meter tail length

uksparks · Jul 26, 2014

Hi,

Quick issue here, went to a job today, basically the roof you can see is a garage roof attached to the side of a bungalow, the roof is coming off and being raised up in line with the rest of the house and being converted into a dining room and having a breeze block liner inside.

Other than all the other work, the builder wants a new board / move old position to opposite wall but on other side and a meter to the left, so probably 5 - 6 meters worth of meter tails.

Now I know the 3m rule, etc, but just wanted a second opinion on it, would you do it? I don't feel to happy with it to be honest, its more the fact the meter tails will be run / clipped along side the joist above the ceiling and not RCD protected, its a bit iffy isn't it.

The builder im dealing with, really nice bloke, but he was deaf, very nice bloke, but it was a challenge trying to have a conversation with him about £3k of work that needs to be done and lots of bits and pieces. You can imagine, there was quite a lot of notes and writing down going on.

Oh the supply is just the other side of the wall in an external cabinet.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Meter tail length

Plonker 3 · Jul 26, 2014

SWA, and kmf could meet BS7671

telectrix · Jul 26, 2014

fit ametal case KMF, 80A in the meter cabinet on short 25mm tails . then come off that in 16mm 3 core SWA to CU. if replacing the CU use a metal case CU. if not, then gland the SWA into a galv ad. box and continue the tails into CU. use earthing nuts.

telectrix · Jul 26, 2014

Dillb said:
SWA, and kmf could meet BS7671

#
you beat me to it, but i wrote more.:6:

uksparks · Jul 26, 2014

The new CU is going in the lounge kitchen area bit so it's got to look nice, so metal clad is out the window, so haven't got opions available like suggested as it wouldn't look great. I did think of this bit ruled it out, I have done it before as suggested but this time I can't get away with an industrious looking cu.

telectrix · Jul 26, 2014

stick a bloody cupboard round it. or ask them if they want a wi-fi CU.

Plonker 3 · Jul 26, 2014

Metal trunking ? If they are carrying out extensive building works then maybe you could explain regs and state your concerns?

Guest77 · Jul 26, 2014

uksparks said:
Hi,

Quick issue here, went to a job today, basically the roof you can see is a garage roof attached to the side of a bungalow, the roof is coming off and being raised up in line with the rest of the house and being converted into a dining room and having a breeze block liner inside.

Other than all the other work, the builder wants a new board / move old position to opposite wall but on other side and a meter to the left, so probably 5 - 6 meters worth of meter tails.

Now I know the 3m rule, etc, but just wanted a second opinion on it, would you do it? I don't feel to happy with it to be honest, its more the fact the meter tails will be run / clipped along side the joist above the ceiling and not RCD protected, its a bit iffy isn't it.

The builder im dealing with, really nice bloke, but he was deaf, very nice bloke, but it was a challenge trying to have a conversation with him about £3k of work that needs to be done and lots of bits and pieces. You can imagine, there was quite a lot of notes and writing down going on.

Oh the supply is just the other side of the wall in an external cabinet.

View attachment 25688 View attachment 25689

You know more than me then, if 2 tails and an earth were tied together for 4 to 5 mtrs I couldn't see a problem, okay I am aware the numpties at the IET may think differently with their nice ties and suits on lol

telectrix · Jul 26, 2014

you can use a plastic CU if you ensure that the SWA is restrained above it so as not to put stress on the gland into CU.

uksparks · Jul 26, 2014

I'll just tell him I can move it a bit but not that far, the house needs a rewire to be honest, over 80% of it is being replaced and a new cu so might as well just do the whole lot.

uksparks · Jul 26, 2014

telectrix said:
you can use a plastic CU if you ensure that the SWA is restrained above it so as not to put stress on the gland into CU.

I don't think for one min he is going to want to see swa entering the cu to be honest, it's going to be in view all day .

davesparks · Jul 26, 2014

uksparks said:
The new CU is going in the lounge kitchen area bit so it's got to look nice, so metal clad is out the window, so haven't got opions available like suggested as it wouldn't look great. I did think of this bit ruled it out, I have done it before as suggested but this time I can't get away with an industrious looking cu.

Make off the SWA into a metal box fitted flush behind the CU.

If fitting a CU somewhere visible I do this with all of the cables going to it, they can all come straight in to the back of it then without being seen. Plus it's easier for the plasterers to get the wall flat than if there is a big bunch of cables sticking out.

R G · Jul 26, 2014

I used to use a flush mounted MK Sentry unit with SWA sub main glanded into the back , used loads in the past ...

malcolmsanford · Jul 26, 2014

MDJ said:
You know more than me then, if 2 tails and an earth were tied together for 4 to 5 mtrs I couldn't see a problem, okay I am aware the numpties at the IET may think differently with their nice ties and suits on lol

Unfortunately it's the numpties from the Networks that insist on the 3 metre rule of thumb, and that is exactly what it is a rule of thumb, you could ask them that your extending 5 meters and there maybe a good chance they would say yes.

Above a ceiling does not need RCD protection re regs 522.6,100 & 522.6.102

shanky887614 · Jul 27, 2014

why not go for a white enamel metal cu then?

they look better than a lot of plastic ones.

besides the builder will probably build a box around it anyway