Bare CPC's

[mark28118]

Sorry didn't read the regulation properly. This is acceptable and provided it is part of the multicore cable its acceptable.

 

[spark 68]

mark28118:This is acceptable and provided it is part of the multicore cable its acceptable.

Please read this part

Where the sheath of a cable incorporating an uninsulated protective conductor of cross-sectional area up to and including 6mm^ is removed adjacent to joints and terminations , the protective conductor shall be protected by insulating sleeving complying with BS EN 60684 series.

 

[mark28118]

Yeah got it read through it abit fast, thanks for your help

 

[spark 68]

The Reg no. I gave is specific to the UK, Iam not sure what the international standards in this area are, as we only have BS7671, I just noticed you are in Afghanistan.

Edit: does it need to comply to UK standards ?

 

[mark28118]

Yes we are testing everything to British Standards so this is fine

 

[Engineer54]

I only ask because I'm currently working in afghanistan and we are basically going over alot of american work and faulting it to our regs, in their NEC code they allow bare CPC conductors but I got told to BS7671 anything over 6mm didn't need sleeveing. But guess they were wrong. Thanks for the quick reply's

You're correct in saying the NEC does allow bare CPC's, ...and literary everywhere too!!! So how your going to fault work, which complies with the standard it was installed too, i just don't know!! I can think of a few other areas too, where the two standards will differ significantly... lol!!

Yes, whoever told you about the over 6mm doesn't need sleeving, was most definitely wrong. Wasn't a Master Electrician from the States by any chance was it?? lol!!

 

[spark 68]

Hi E54,

I posted the full reg, and it does not say cables above 6mm^ have to be sheathed/sleeved, it only says cables up to and including 6mm^ do.

You could infer from that reg that above 6mm^ don't need to be, as that is what it is suggesting.

Bloody regs, never give you a straight answer lol, I am not talking 'best practice' here btw so don't shoot me lol.

 

[Knobhead]

I'll have to come out of retirment then.

100's of panels with 7/.064 and 19/.044 bare earth conductors.

 

[Engineer54]

Hi E54,

I posted the full reg, and it does not say cables above 6mm^ have to be sheathed, it only says cables up to and including 6mm^ do.

You could infer from that reg that above 6mm^ don't need to be, as that what it is suggesting.

Bloody regs, never give you a straight answer lol, I am not talking 'best practice' here btw so don't shoot me lol.

Another reason Not to treat BS7671 like the holy bible. It mostly covers domestic and light commercial installations anyway. I've always found, that when you want or need something specific, but it's a little out of the ordinary, you will rarely find anything but wishy washy stuff!! I reckon your electrical knowledge coupled with experience, and a big portion of commonsense and you'll get the answers to 99% of your own and others queries!!!

Going back to the question in hand, ...how many times have you or anyone else here on the forum, seen, or even think that it's fine to run bare CPC's over 6mm within electrical panels?? (that weren't installed in the year dot) lol!!!

 

[spark 68]

Not disagreeing at all lol, I already said I have not seen bare cables, as I also said best practice would dictate other wise, we have used G/Y sheathed cable up to about 35 mm ^ or there abouts, and maybe seen the odd cable at 70mm^ in G/Y, anything above these were usually either copper bars or insulated 'flexi-bar' suitably marked G/Y at intervals with marker tape, or as said braids.

Back to the OP though, if he is going to 'snag' someone elses work, then he can only snag it against the regs as written, not as 'preferred' or best practice if you see what I mean.

 

[Paul.M]

Just to throw a spaner into the works, what about identification of cables? Or does that only apply to current carrying cables?

Ps it sounds like an USA base is being over taken by the British so it has to be to our standards regardless of what country.

 

[Paul.M]

TTwo big respect points for Mark28118.

Firstly working as a spark in the forces in Afghan.

Secondly cleaning up the mess that the yanks have left behind (again).

 

[Engineer54]

Think were looking at this at crossed purposes. The OP is talking about CPC's in electrical panels, and i think your Reg is talking about CPC's as a whole. In that case yes i agree CPC's and other electrical earthing cables can be bare, such as in Lightning Protection systems, buried Earthing Rings to mention just two, etc, etc!! lol!!

I don't think you'll find that bare cable earthing conductors are suitable or allowed to be run around inside of electrical panels. Even main LV or MV switchboards, any bare earthing conductors will terminate at earth bars, located outside or even inside (LV) but at a very low level compared to any internal wiring or componants...

 

[mark28118]

Yes theres been quite a few accidents involving electrical fires within the last couple of years, so they have sent out 60 of us to inspect and test every single camp to our regulations, seen as theirs are basically to cock haha. The americans hate us the original question was based on CPC's, earth electrode conductors etc etc, weather it be in panels or not, we have to fault everything to BS and it is then mitigated by them at their discression. Waste of time if you ask me but £'s good !!! lol

 

[kingeri]

Out of interest, when did the requirement to sleeve CPCs actually come in?