Maintaining top entry fire rating/IP rating

[MickSmith5824]

Evening all

Had a job yesterday, which I'm back at next week. Job was to install new dual tarriff CU. As can see from photo earthing was supplied off a clamp from incoming metallic pipe which contained the supply cables. As this old CU is double packed out with a frame it had ample space to house this pipe. Problem being when fitting new CU this isn't case. So after chat with mr NIC man I opted to drop board by 100mm jigsaw out top entry and use 100mm plastic trunking across top to house these cables and pipe. He seemed bit unsure at first as much as me but checked it out and said that as we have maintained IP4x at top all is fine. I questioned about the fire rating and he said that this is fine to. What are people's thoughts? I'm back there next week so maybe can improve but thoughts are even if use loads of glands on top and trunking on top surely these are only so resistant to spread of fire.
Cheers

 

[stevethesparks]

MICC was common for fire alarms and industrial control gear many years ago. I guess the appearance of FP rated wire and the time/cost of installing pyro means it is fairly specialised use now. Shame, as it is practically immortal and looked fabulous if bare and polished up!

I would suggest that there appears to be some instances where its being ripped out - possibly unnecessarily, simply because the electrician of the day doesn't know what to do with it.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Can’t see the point of having SY as part of the exam personally.

Be better off with data/Ethernet, heating system controls and trying to chase in a new socket to an old brick wall with lime plaster - no visible damage allowed! (Ok maybe not the last one)

In all seriousness I think heating controls, solar pv and car charging installation would be far more beneficial these days than micc and sy

 

[freddo]

Spoke to one of the apprentices today, apparently he has done MICC as part of a college assessment, but it is no longer part of the AM2. I certainly remember doing it when I did the AM2. At least they have kept in steel conduit...

 

[UNG]

Even if you don't have the tools or skills, surely you can recognise an MICC cable??!!

Maybe not when you are out of your depth

Given the longevity of Pyro and the many different types of installation it has been used in over the years it is a bit daft that it is not even given a mention on courses these days

Given the possible problems of glanding that pyro properly I think I would be replacing that earth clamp with some constant force springs to clamp the cable to the sheath to maintain the earthing

 

[UNG]

I would suggest that there appears to be some instances where its being ripped out - possibly unnecessarily, simply because the electrician of the day doesn't know what to do with it.

Ripped out and replaced by inferior cable types is usually the norm

The number of times I've seen on forums rip it out and replace it with FP, FP is not and will never be a direct replacement for Pyro IMO

 

[7029 dave]

Ripped out and replaced by inferior cable types is usually the norm

The number of times I've seen on forums rip it out and replace it with FP, FP is not and will never be a direct replacement for Pyro IMO

Unfortunately it comes down to lack of skills, time, money.

 

[UNG]

Unfortunately it comes down to lack of skills, time, money.

But recognising different cable types, their uses and how to handle them is surely a very basic skill whatever level you are at as it is not all T&E in the domestic setting as the OP has found out

 

[7029 dave]

But recognising different cable types, their uses and how to handle them is surely a very basic skill whatever level you are at as it is not all T&E in the domestic setting as the OP has found out

Its a shame the way this industry has become, completely scoped and split into sectors, with that it has its consequences.

 

[telectrix]

then again, how many of today's sparks would recognise lead sheathed twin cable.at first glance, it looks just like pvc/pvc t/e.

 

[pc1966]

then again, how many of today's sparks would recognise lead sheathed twin cable.at first glance, it looks just like pvc/pvc t/e.

Until you go to move it!

 

[UNG]

Its a shame the way this industry has become, completely scoped and split into sectors, with that it has its consequences.

It probably takes longer to become a London taxi driver now than it does to get some basic qualifications to masquerade as an electrician

 

[Dave OCD]

then again, how many of today's sparks would recognise lead sheathed twin cable.at first glance, it looks just like pvc/pvc t/e.

I've got a rewire coming up in a month or so with some of that still currently operational ! It's an old 3 storey cottage,open beams on the ground floor and full of furniture. Can't wait.

 

[westward10]

@MickSmith5824 if you have an issue with any posts then report them by hitting the report button as opposed to insulting forum members. This thread has somewhat drifted off topic which is not uncommon on here.