Meter Tails Protection

[Clark3169]

So I'm running some three meter, meter tails to a new consumer unit. Space is a premium so is some metal trunking or conduit enough protection or will I have to fit an RCD near the meter?

 

[rmdes]

Earthed Conduit or trunking should be fine,

 

[MDJ]

where is the meter in regard to the Consumer unit, or distribution Board as I prefer to call it? are they both within sight of each other or in different areas?

 

[GaryM]

Are the tails on show or will they be buried within a wall less than 50mm from the surface?
Is there any chance of damage where they're going to run?

 

[ipf]

Why not use pvc trunking ?

 

[MDJ]

Why not use pvc trunking ?

yup that was my next answer to the op, but he didn't get back to us about the location between the meter and DB.

 

[Clark3169]

Hi there they are in the same room. The DB and meter are on adjacent walls in a wc under the stairs. The customer assures me he is going to box in the meter tails and will probably give me the 50mm depth. I guess I have to decide how I a happy to leave it. It's not likely to get damaged but I thought if I put it in some metal conduit it wouldn't matter as much if we don't achieve the 50mm. Thanks for your replies, sorry for my slow return, doing too many things at once.

 

[MDJ]

How are you going to get 2 x 25mm2 tails in a metal conduit?

 

[ipf]

Sorry............................not worth it, bye.

 

[Clark3169]

This is my question really whats the best thing to do? I shouldn't imagine after they are boxed in anyone is going to screw into it but stranger things happen. I may have the 50mm depth required but can I leave it like that on my customers say so.

 

[Clark3169]

If I used PVC trunking would it still be ok to box in let's say it didn't achieve the 50mm?

 

[richy3333]

If I used PVC trunking would it still be ok to box in let's say it didn't achieve the 50mm?

Well, what do the Regs say?

 

[SYKRAPS]

It is in trunking not burried so why the 50mm?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If you wish to conceal the cables in a wall.
Bury them a t a depth greater than 50mm.
Use a 2core SWA cable at any depth.
Use earthed trunking or conduit at any depth.
Provide mechanical protection sufficient to prevent penetration by screws or nails, again any depth.
Or provide 30mA RCD protection.
You could always run them on the surface, clipped direct, or in trunking or conduit, earthed or unearthed.

 

[kingeri]

'Boxing in' isn't necessarily the same as being buried in a wall!