UK How do we solve the long meter tail problem?

[Snailspark]

Just seen a you tube video by Artisan, he mentions there is a 15 meter run that goes in the fabric of the building from the meter/100amp cut out to the consumer unit.
it started a debate as to whether to code it a c2 or c3. The question that I have is how would you fix/solve the problem?
the house was a relatively new build as well so how did it pass initial verification?
Discuss.....

 

[123]

This is something I've long been curious about. Given that twin brown is not as widely available as blue/brown T&E, and therefore likely to be more expensive, why do so many NI electricians use it rather than sleeve regular T&E?

It's available at every wholesaler in Northern Ireland, and generally no more expensive than T&E.
What isn't on the shelf at too many wholesalers here is 1.0mm T&E, pretty much everyone here uses 1.5mm T&E, even in those big bad new build housing developments

 

[Mark Wright]

Similar to Australia... Here it’s called the MEN multiple earthed Neutral. IEC 60364 describes the MEN as a TNC-S system but each property has an earth stake. TPS cable also has a sheathed earth and the cores are stranded. There is also a cable called a Twin Active which is red and White. Essentially for strappers.

Interesting in the UK we call ours protective multiple earthing (PME) for TNCS but it's uncommon to have a consumer Earth rod at the property as-well.

is the earth cable of TPS the same Size/CSA ?

mods is it possible to split the thread into another thread something like Different wiring practices in your country?

 

[pc1966]

This is something I've long been curious about. Given that twin brown is not as widely available as blue/brown T&E, and therefore likely to be more expensive, why do so many NI electricians use it rather than sleeve regular T&E?

No idea, really. But it would save time (as well as looking professional) as no sleeving effort needed and at some point that might justify the expense of having it in your van for jobs.

 

[westward10]

Twin brown is readily available in the UK.

 

[Risteard]

This is something I've long been curious about. Given that twin brown is not as widely available as blue/brown T&E, and therefore likely to be more expensive, why do so many NI electricians use it rather than sleeve regular T&E?

It's the same price here.

 

[Mark Wright]

I only heard of it's use in Ireland but does look like you can buy in UK.

Still think T&E is better with sleeving, easier to id switch line etc

I don't know if anyone has any thoughts on T&E bare conductor - I like the idea of same size CSA for cpc but not the price increase - sleeving is a pain for cpc but I like the old theory of bare cpc that its safer if you bang a nail in or brake down of insulation etc it will come into contact quicker with cpc.

 

[nicebutdim]

It's available at every wholesaler in Northern Ireland, and generally no more expensive than T&E.
What isn't on the shelf at too many wholesalers here is 1.0mm T&E, pretty much everyone here uses 1.5mm T&E, even in those big bad new build housing developments

It's the same price here.

That's good enough reason to not bother with sleeving blue cores

The reason I asked was the link previously posted to Meteor showed that they offer 1.5 twin brown at almost 50% higher price than blue/brown T&E. Obviously that's only one wholesaler, but it raised the question of price in my mind - especially given how frugal we can be in NI.



On a slightly different note; the house I grew up in was wired in VIR, with lighting run in singles which all had red inner insulation. Was this usual or was VIR generally used with black insulation for neutrals?

That old VIR installation was a work of art. Sadly the same couldn't be said for later additions which were generally shambolic and, in some instances, downright dangerous

 

[Mark Wright]

Whats Vir?

I think 2 plate system must be more common in domestic wiring in Ireland? I say this because of the use of Twin Brown and Singles & Earth ?

 

[nicebutdim]

Whats Vir?

Tinned stranded cores, with rubber insulation and sheath.

It may be that VIR is a particular type of rubber cable, but my layman's mind uses the term as a generic label.

 

[KennyKen]

Vulcanised Indian Rubber... used when sparkies were pretty good chippies. Anyway back to your original question. TPS, The CPC is the same core size as the Live and Neutral.

 

[Mark Wright]

RIP VIR
ashes to ashes, VIR to dust.

 

[Risteard]

Whats Vir?

I think 2 plate system must be more common in domestic wiring in Ireland? I say this because of the use of Twin Brown and Singles & Earth ?

Mostly 3 plate, although some have moved to 2 plate.

Twin brown & singles & Earth etc. works perfectly with a 3 plate installation.

 

[Mark Wright]

I cant think where you would need a single with 3 plate? except the up/down hallway lighting?

 

[Risteard]

I cant think where you would need a single with 3 plate? except the up/down hallway lighting?

Plenty of scenarios.

2-way lighting have a brown & Earth to the first switch from the permanent phase terminal; twin brown between switches (strappers), and then a single brown back to the luminaire from the 2nd switch to the switched phase terminal.

Or an outside light have a brown & Earth from the switch and a single blue from the luminaire, or a blue & Earth from the luminaire with a single brown from the switch if this is more efficient with cable.

 

[Mark Wright]

I guess I would of called that 2 plate method very interesting.