Extending Main Incoming SWA cable by about 1 metre.And how do I tell what size it is?

[ntaylor48]

Hey all,

I am replacing my old metal Non-RCD protected consumer unit with a nice new consumer unit.

I live in a block of flats and I am in the bottom left of the flats.

I have done all the mounting and recessing that I had to do first.

And I now have it wired up and working but definately not safe and finished.

As I had to mount the consumer unit a bit higher and further right the incoming mains in too short to come into the unit with the SWA sheath all the way into the unit.

So I now want to know how I go about extending the incoming cable safely and so it passes all regulations.

Hopefully you can see from the photos what I mean. You can see the gland on it still from where it went straight into the consumer unit.

I need to extend it only about a metre but it needs to be done.

Also I don't know what size cable it is. Nothing writen on the sheath about size and I guess its 10 or 16mm but I don't know for sure. And its running next too the incomers for the flats above, same type of SWA cable. Main fuses are on the ground floor under the stairs. All have a 60 amp fuse protecting them.

And finally what size earth do I need to run from the steel armour?

Please ask any questions if you need more info.

Thanks so much.


















free uploader

 

[micknew]

Re: Extending Main Incoming SWA cable by about 1 metre.And how do I tell what size it

If someone is unable to extend a little bit of SWA then they shouldn't be changing a CU surely.

did you test it before you switched it all back on?

That's why they come on here to find out how to do it.

 

[ntaylor48]

Re: Extending Main Incoming SWA cable by about 1 metre.And how do I tell what size it

Wow. Getting a nice 'ole hammering here.

Its not that I can't extend a piece of SWA, I was actually looking for suggestions on best practice.

And of course I tested it before I switched it on. I have a 9 month old in the house.

Anyways some suggestions on how to extend the incoming into the CU?

Will upload some more pictures of it tomorrow.

 

[Marvo]

Re: Extending Main Incoming SWA cable by about 1 metre.And how do I tell what size it

I'm kinda at a loss what to do with this thread or what advice to give. The installation clearly falls far short of the mark and is without a doubt unsafe as it is now. You're clearly not in your comfort zone doing this work so I'd have to say you should get some assistance from a professional electrician. I could suggest some pointers on what you can do with the cable but I'm not in good conscience to encourage you to continue with this installation.

I think in this case you've no option other than getting some professional assistance. If you like to request help from someone from the forum who's in your area you can make a new thread here.

I'm going to close this thread in the interest of safety.