Is this an error

[sparksburnout]

I'm a bnit bored and can't think of a proper question, so what about this one. On page 141 of GN8 (earthing and bonding), it has a nice picture of a bit of SWA. They are using the GREY core as the earth, sleeved green/yellow obviously. Now, I know it doesn't specify in the regs what should be used as what, but I thought it was an agreed convention that black should be used to avoid confusion with the old neutral colour, and that the NIC even brought out a guide to that effect. Have the IET got it wrong?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I'm a bnit bored and can't think of a proper question, so what about this one. On page 141 of GN8 (earthing and bonding), it has a nice picture of a bit of SWA. They are using the GREY core as the earth, sleeved green/yellow obviously. Now, I know it doesn't specify in the regs what should be used as what, but I thought it was an agreed convention that black should be used to avoid confusion with the old neutral colour, and that the NIC even brought out a guide to that effect. Have the IET got it wrong?

Yes....not got the guide to hand,but as you say,it is generally agreed that black should be sleeved G/Y.

 

[Darkwood]

Its only an agreed convention like you say but also, like you say it isn't regulation.

Is it wrong No!
Would they have been better to use the black, Yes! if they wish to promote the unread rule.

So No it isn't wrong to show the pic as any of the colours really, not every install would have certain colours to hand hence it cannot be denoted to use a specific colour.

 

[Simonslimline]

I doubt most people are even slightly bothered what the NIC say these days. They do not write the regulations after all.

I personally use the grey as neutral and black as CPC. Can't see a problem doing it whichever way you want though, as long as the conductors are identified properly.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I agree that it's not a regulation and that as long as conductors are identified it doesn't really matter, however I do believe the IET would be better off recognising unwritten convention which just about everyone seems to accept.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Not me, always used grey as cpc, its so engrained in my head that I dare not change now... ha, lol


If anybody is working with me I make sure they know not to change my convention especially if I am doing the other end.. lol

Anyway, its sleeved at both ends so no big deal in the great scheme of things

 

[Richard Burns]

I keep having to murmur to myself "deneutralise the black, deneutralise the black" when wiring the grey as neutral, just so I remember not to use the black!

 

[Risteard]

I thought it was an agreed convention

It's certainly not an agreed convention, as the NICEIC only agreed it with themselves.

As such it is merely their opinion as to what should be done.

The only correct answer is that the conductor must be properly identified at all terminations (and preferably throughout its length). As such it is not more or less correct to use one or the other core so long as it is correctly identified at each termination.

Although it is probably true that most choose to do it the way that the NICEIC prefer.

 

[not clever]

I keep having to murmur to myself "deneutralise the black, deneutralise the black" when wiring the grey as neutral, just so I remember not to use the black!

Hahaha I do the same every time

 

[Leclanche]

I'm just glad that these crazy harmonised colours have emerged later on in my electrical career. In my opinion this is one of the dafest things we have ever done. We live on a island we are talking fixed wiring why change? In the old days there was never any debate on what colours to use it was without even thinking Red-Live conductor Yellow-earth (or cpc if you prefer) & Blue - Neautral no confusion ever. I hate these bland brown / black and grey colurs and will never get use to using them. I know that three core swa is availble in Brown/Blue & Yellow/Green but for whatever reason our local wholsalers are reluctant to stock it and we have to order specially. I know we are told to de-neutralise the black, seems to me by the same argument we are now "earthalising" the black and as black is now a phase colour-recipe for confusion either way.

I'll be out of all soon and I suppose old dog & new tricks is the phrase.

 

[stevethesparks]

My way of remembering is "Black is the new yellow" this caters for yellow/green when earthing and middle/yellow phase when undertaking 3 phase installs. Was stupid changing colours IMHO.

 

[telectrix]

can't agree more. nail on head. these stupid new colours are daft. even for manchester where everything is grey.. :53:

 

[Risteard]

In the old days there was never any debate on what colours to use it was without even thinking Red-Live (sic) conductor Yellow-earth (or cpc if you prefer) & Blue - Neautral no confusion ever.

Correctly sleeved, of course... :angelsad2:

 

[Leclanche]

If as a country we vote to leave the EU does this mean we can go back to RYB?....:smartass2:

 

[mattg4321]

Or buy some of this https://www.electriccable.co.uk/SinglePhaseSwaCable.php

Only ever seen it once myself though! Wish wholesalers would stock it...