Meter Tails problem

[GEOFFERS66]

Hi Folks just started working on domestic after working on big stuff with the MOD for a long time & a problem has cropped up. The supplier has moved the meter to outside of the building requiring cable updates (uninsulated neutral at the moment) leaving an approx cable run distance of 15 to 18 metres to the CU. I know there are issues of using meter tails of over 3M & the only way I can get to the meter is in the ceiling void & through wall, I used to use swa cable to get around most problems but that seems extreme in this situation, the only other way obviously is to reposition the cu & rewire. Any Ideas?
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Dan]

Hi GEOFFERS66 and welcome to www.electriciansforums.net!

 

[Amp David]

First off welcome!

You will need to install a fuse of some description, as tails will be over 3m, something like this maybe,

Fuse Switches > In-Line > FS163 - Protek Circuit Protection

Other decide against it but if its not going to be seen, then I use SWA or you could install double insulated tails in trunking

 

[GEOFFERS66]

Hi, thanks for the reply would I need to install a fuse if using swa?
Cheers

 

[Sparkypaul11]

Hi, thanks for the reply would I need to install a fuse if using swa?
Cheers

Yes. Since the SWA is the consumers cable it has to be fused down regardless of csa of SWA, other wise the consumers submain is only protected by the suppliers 100A service fuse. Dont forget that the tails will have to be RCD protected if rain within a wall less than 50mm and by doing this is incorrect to the 17th edition as there has all circuits cant be protected by one RCD so SWA with earthed armour and a fused switch is probably the only practical way in this case

 

[Engineer54]

Yes. Since the SWA is the consumers cable it has to be fused down regardless of csa of SWA, other wise the consumers submain is only protected by the suppliers 100A service fuse. Dont forget that the tails will have to be RCD protected if rain within a wall less than 50mm and by doing this is incorrect to the 17th edition as there has all circuits cant be protected by one RCD so SWA with earthed armour and a fused switch is probably the only practical way in this case

Why would an earthed SWA cable need to be RCD protected if buried in the wall less than 50mm??

 

[Sparkypaul11]

It doesn't which is my point. Tails would need RCD protection but is against 17th edition so to get round this SWA is a practical alternative to eliminate the need to RCD protect the submain.