Meter Tails

[chloebear]

Hi All,
I have a requirement to reposition a Consumer unit which will involve running new meter tails. The ne CU will be approx 50ft from the meter and may have to run part of the way external to the building at a height of 7ft. Do I have to use SWA to run the new distribution cable or can I use 25mm meter tails if they are enclosed in protective covering?

 

[Mac]

I would run it in 3 core SWA.Would be a lot easier to pull it over that distance as well.Where it is externally exposed at 7ft,i'd try and put some protection over it:ie steel capping

 

[grandad]

I would take the tails to a switchfuse near the incomer,and then SWA from the switchfuse to the CU.

 

[Spudnik]

If there is no requirement for RCD protection to the tails then you can use this:

Much easier to install than 3 core 25mm SWA!!

 

[chloebear]

HI Jason, Thanks for the info regarding the cable - can you let me know what it is?

 

[Spudnik]

HI Jason, Thanks for the info regarding the cable - can you let me know what it is?

Sorry, forgot that bit,

Its Split Concentric Cable.

You must use and install this as you would any twin and earth cable as it has no mechanical protection.

Have a look here:

Split concentric cable to BS7870

 

[Guest123]

Hi.

Think it would have to be SWA for me. Switchfuse by the meters and then onto your new DB.

 

[Spudnik]

Hi.

Think it would have to be SWA for me. Switchfuse by the meters and then onto your new DB.

Thats only cause youre a commercial sparx

 

[craig2210]

Hi there guys. Just so you all know meter tails cannot exceed 2m so for this reason you will have to install a seperate switched fuse rated at 60amps, 80amps or what ever and then run the appropiate sub main, correctly sized for the rating of the switched fuse used, voltage drop and external influences. Hope this helps.

 

[Guest123]

Grannys full mate, no room even for an omlette

 

[vardymr2]

Hi there guys. Just so you all know meter tails cannot exceed 2m so for this reason you will have to install a seperate switched fuse rated at 60amps, 80amps or what ever and then run the appropiate sub main, correctly sized for the rating of the switched fuse used, voltage drop and external influences. Hope this helps.

Just to correct you its over 3m not 2m that you need to install a main switched fuse. The good old 3meter rule.

 

[Spudnik]

Just to correct you its over 3m not 2m that you need to install a main switched fuse. The good old 3meter rule.

Some DNO's insist on 2.

Rule of thumb is if the meter is outside its 4 meters, and if its inside its 3 meter maximum before a switch fuse needs to be installed.

 

[andyb]

Jason

I'm happy to be proved wrong on this, but I allways understood that you could not use concentric cable. Certainly in domestic installations.

That was certainly the case when I qualified, but I know things can change.

 

[Spudnik]

Perfectly ok to use split con, have done many times.

I have just used it on a bungalow rewire.

As long as it is installed etc as you would t&e as it has no mechanical protection, then its no different.

 

[andyb]

I'm sure you'r right Jason.

This is just something I was told as an apprentice (a long long time ago) and has stayed with me ever since.

It probably refers to using the concentric earth as a pen conduct like the supply authority do.