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.....

 

[Risteard]

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

The rest of the circuit is 3 plated.

And with the 2-ways it's still 3 plated.

 

[nicebutdim]

The rest of the circuit is 3 plated.

And with the 2-ways it's still 3 plated.

Given the cost of 1.5 T&E and 3C&E, is the saving significant when using sheathed singles?

I'm interested in why lighting is often wired in this manner over here. It's not a criticism of our conventions, rather genuine curiosity.

 

[Mark Wright]

I assume you mean like pages 1 + 2?
Maybe someone can enlighten me what does the word plate actually mean? I assume it's the number of wires?

 

[nicebutdim]

I always took it to mean the number of line and neutral terminations, but that's probably wrong.

2 Plate = Switched line + Neutral
3 Plate = Line, Switched line + Neutral.


I'm becoming addicted to this forum, having gone from interested to avid in my absorbtion of information.

 

[Mark Wright]

yeah I know what you mean

There is Switch PLATE and Face Plate etc a switch with a face plate like all switches?

 

[nicebutdim]

My thinking was that it was the terminations at the lamp itself, but again hopefully someone can confirm or (more likely) correct this.

2 plate providing switch line and neutral termination, with 3 plate also having termination for looped line conductors.

 

[westward10]

The term plate relates to the amount of terminals at the rose/batten holder, ignoring the earth terminal. Prior to three plate the fitting had two terminals or two at its base plate hence two plate. Later fittings had the loop terminal incorporated giving three terminals at its base plate, hence three plate.

 

[Mark Wright]

Nice one could not find that - google let me down.

 

[7029 dave]

View attachment 59128

I assume you mean like pages 1 + 2?
Maybe someone can enlighten me what does the word plate actually mean? I assume it's the number of wires?

Three plate terminology is actually referring to the ceiling rose (3plate), IMO this method is outdated because simply not used very much, with modern light fittings, led , etc, all new builds down this way are fed at switch box. En54 would be moaning lol

 

[Mark Wright]

You've thrown a spanner in the works there don't know how you would label that?

it's the same as 3 plate wiring but at the switch.

hasn't Australia been using Loop at switch for a long time? do they still call it 3 plate?

 

[7029 dave]

You've thrown a spanner in the works there don't know how you would label that?

it's the same as 3 plate wiring but at the switch.

hasn't Australia been using Loop at switch for a long time? do they still call it 3 plate?

Sorry Mark, are you not understanding my post?, anyway 3plate is the 3 plates of the ceiling rose ie connection points, nothing to do with the number of cables, I know you have feed in, loop feed, switch wire 3 cables but that is irrelevant.

 

[Mark Wright]

yes sorry, shame on you just had all lose ends tidied

what name is suitable for Loop at switch? - 2 plate or 3 plate or just loop at switch?

 

[Risteard]

yes sorry, shame on you just had all lose ends tidied

what name is suitable for Loop at switch? - 2 plate or 3 plate or just loop at switch?

That is 2 plate.

 

[davesparks]

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.

PME is the most common type of TNCS supply in the UK, but it is not the only type of TNCS supply.
A TNCS supply can be installed without it being PME.

 

[Mark Wright]

yeah could get a bit confusing it you start calling multicore wiring 2 plate and single core wiring 3 plate even if historically it was the plates/termination plates whatever at the ceiling rose - when have you ever heard someone wiring 2 way+ light with 3 core call it 2 plate?

Your 3 terminations/plates whatever are now at the switch I.e 123 Live,Switch, Neutral all take place at the switch - it's multicore loop in the termination plate at the switch not at the ceiling rose but its still 3 terminations taking place.
it not a single core Neutarl run direct the light 1,2 Neutal, Switch.

T&E with no singles there will have to be 3 connections at some point of Live,Neutral and SL.

PME is the most common type of TNCS supply in the UK, but it is not the only type of TNCS supply.
A TNCS supply can be installed without it being PME.

Would this require at extra earth rod mandatory? or you make a decision based on Ze reading.