Burried SWA for a log cabin

[Gringoking88]

Hi all,

Hope someone can give me clarity around the need to bury an SWA cable please.

I've been asked to install an 4mm SWA from the main DB to a "to be built log cabin" at the end of the garden about 50m away, it will need to run along a fence for most the route (or underground).

I called NICEIC to clarify and they advised I cant clip it to the fence incase it falls down, cant leave it on the surface due to rodents and have to bury it for the entire length. My question is reg 522.8.10 says "burried cables shall be buried to a sufficient depth to avoid being damaged...." what do you guys call a sufficient depth and whats your thoughts about rodents chewing through SWA armour???

Basically what do you guys do in these cases??...

Many thanks,

M

 

[HappyHippyDad]

As some if the others have said 4mm is not sufficient due to voltage drop. 6mm may just be ok if minimal sockets and lighting in cabin, otherwise 10mm.

 

[Deleted account]

Based on a similar job I have just calculated for 50 Meters. It was 10 mm SWA.

I don’t know your total load after diversity so cannot give you your definite sizing.

You will have to work it out on your figures.

 

[Risteard]

Irreverent

Are you sure that's what you were trying to type?

 

[telectrix]

Are you sure that's what you were trying to type?

are you being irreverent to winston?

 

[Risteard]

are you being irreverent to winston?

What delightful irony indeed!

 

[telectrix]

he'll fight you on the beaches, on the streets and in the hills.

 

[Spoon]

For volt drop on 4mm SWA over 50 meters you are looking at no more than 14A to get below 3%

 

[Grezza]

450mm is the depth I go. Yellow electrical warning tape in around 200mm.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Are you sure that's what you were trying to type?

Where’s his “irreverent” post gone? Has he deleted it. ?

 

[Spoon]

The regs really need to bottom this. They put depths for other areas why don't they do it for domestic?
More to the point, why don't people use 600mm as specified in the regs.

 

[Grezza]

1. DNO require their ducting to be buried at 450mm, and 600mm if under a public path or road.

I personally think 450mm with warning tape around 200mm is ample.

 

[ruston]

One of the main things advised is "considering the future disturbance of the ground" A green patch of lawn would be completely different to an agricultural field for instance.

 

[Midwest]

I’ve buried some swa in ducting in my garden. Probably no more than 50mm under the ground, no yellow tape. It’s under some artificial grass or slabs, so no digging likely.

 

[ruston]

I’ve buried some swa in ducting in my garden. Probably no more than 50mm under the ground, no yellow tape. It’s under some artificial grass or slabs, so no digging likely.

And you know it is there and there will be information left for future occupiers or anyone who would want to disturb it. That's the way it should be done . It is all about consideration and common sense.

 

[richy3333]

I’ve buried some swa in ducting in my garden. Probably no more than 50mm under the ground, no yellow tape. It’s under some artificial grass or slabs, so no digging likely.

You rebel

(5 nonsense words)