against regs or just frowned upon

[kendall]

ive just gone round to a friends garage and he has armered comming into the garage but it just goes into a plastic jb with a rubber gland and then onto the ccu. surely this is against regs?

 

[oldtimer]

Well first of all does the cable have a seperate earth core or is the armour being used as the earth if the latter then this is bad I served my time on the 14th edition so the phrase was "electrically and mechanically sound" this applied to conduit, trunking or SWAs as they were used for the primary earth.

An example of this was a 30 year old SWA supplying a garage and fitted to the 14th so I fitted a 2 way metal CU and at the DB fitted a metal surface backbox with a 45 amp switch even although it was a 20 amp supply with a RCBO for protection

 

[Octopus]

Not sure about the regs but it certainly isn't best practice. Sounds like a DIY job.

How long has it been installed?

 

[Paul.M]

Love to see a photo if at all possible?

Going by your description its not against the regs if:-

1, the armor is not being used for earth (as above).

2, there is no mechanical stress on the connections (only a rubber gland used?).

3. The correct rated connection blocks have been used.

4. The correct type of encloser has been used suitable for the environment.

5. Mechanical protection for the cable from the Jb to the cu is adequate.

 

[RWJ]

The armour will still need earthing as its an extraneous conductive part

 

[Silly Sausage]

The armour will still need earthing as its an extraneous conductive part

Exposed... :vanish:

 

[telectrix]

but only at 1 end. however, earthed or not at the garage end, a proprietary gland is the preferred method.

@ RWJ, it ain't extraneous, is an exposed conducive part (as it forms part of the electrical installation)

 

[telectrix]

damn, archy beat me to ut.

 

[RWJ]

That's what I meant!!!

 

[telectrix]

let you off then. LOL.

 

[Crackedwolf]

Is the garage remote from the house?
Is the garage board RCD protected?

In "some" instances remote buildings supply cables will/can be segregated from the main earthing system of the house. An RCD on the board and a seperate electrode at the garage would confirm this



Without knowing the age of the installation or the earthing arrangements unfortunately cant be more help

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Unless the method of installation, is one that is indicated in the cable manufacturer's instructions, then it does not comply with the Regulations.
I'm not aware that cable manufacturer's have ever suggested that a SWA cable should be installed in such a manner, as I understand it, they all recommend the use of an SWA gland, and if earth separation is required, use of an insulating insert, an insulating gland, or an insulating enclosure.

 

[oldtimer]

Just to add to my previous post even although the SWA had its own earth I still would have terminated it into a metal backbox I did this with the garage supply I mentioned above and even ran 600mm of 10mm earth cable and bonded it to the box to suppliment the 4.0mm T&E in other words belts and braces for the sake of using metal boxes.

 

[Crackedwolf]

Unless the method of installation, is one that is indicated in the cable manufacturer's instructions, then it does not comply with the Regulations.
I'm not aware that cable manufacturer's have ever suggested that a SWA cable should be installed in such a manner, as I understand it, they all recommend the use of an SWA gland, and if earth separation is required, use of an insulating insert, an insulating gland, or an insulating enclosure.

Just twigged on the gland used

 

[kendall]

cheers guys