meter tails as swa

mikey howerd · Apr 10, 2013

can I use a 25mm 3 core swa as a meter tails from new position surface external meter box to go up an outside wall into the old consumer unit which is off a landing at base of stairs it is 100 year old solid brick terrace house, tails will be about 2.5 metres long thanks mikey

Darkwood · Apr 10, 2013

In theory yes ....in practice you have to maintain the IP rating of the meter box, you have to ensure you comply to bending radius of cable when entering the property and when coming out the other side ...all in all it could look dog rough and be a pain as you'll have to remove a few brick either side to allow cable sweep. Also to not you will need to gland this within a meter cupboard too so i think you may be in for a tricky job.

telectrix · Apr 10, 2013

or standard tails in 2 x 2 galv.

Guitarist · Apr 10, 2013

Swa glanded into 160mm x 160mm box, henley block inside, main earth passes through box and out to MET, meter tails out of the bottom and into meter. Complies and looks really neat.
You should not use the swa cores without protection as they are not sheathed.

somersetsparks · Apr 10, 2013

I would go with galv trunking, or even pvc at a push.

mikey howerd · Apr 10, 2013

thanks for your help I was thinking that the swa is not regarded as being sheathed as in meter tails, the board are fitting new external meter box and cut out tomorrow so will look at all options on how to get tails into the old fuseboard position, it is going to be a bit tricky as it is full view of the front of the terrace house but the next door to the house does step forward 1200mm so im hoping to put in the corner this is where the box is going, thanks again for feed back

Darkwood · Apr 10, 2013

tails straight through to fused isolator and joiner made cupboard if in view then do the necessary from within .... IMHO its gonna look crap outside at the front and personally I be looking at any other way .... is the ground floor solid... if not you could get a small Fused Isolator in the meter cupboard and run the supply under the house and up in a corner with discreet boxing.