Meter tails

[ianphilip007]

hi all

The regulations re meter tails and double insulation seem very unclear. Now a meter tail is insulated and sheathed to my mind and does not include reinforced insulation, no double square marking. i might be missing something here but why would a small amount of exsposed inner core present any danger. the tails are not double insulated, and fault protection is being provided by the main fuse, and the tails are enclosed in the C.U.enclosure. as i said i might be missing something

 

[Darkwood]

if the termination is within an enclosure then their are no reg's regarding the extent of the outer sheath of a double sheathed cable is stripped but good practice is enough to identify the colour of the inner sheath without the need to remove cable from clamp.

Read more: http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...al-forum/60831-meter-tails.html#ixzz21AHlDbde

this is my understanding too and makes a whole lot of sense. just baffles me as to why Elecsa deem exsposed inner insulation on main tails at C.U. main switch to be a problem. there is no regulation to back it up.

You got their no# so express your understanding of the regs and query their position, after all if your supply to a DB is an swa armoured then its only single insulated at termination... should we be all heat-shrinking a outer sheath on it all.... i doubt it-- the regs are complex and interpretation can be wrong by the very people you expect to understand it so as i said ring them to confirm as either you have misinterpreted what you have been told or the guy who told you this is himself a bit confused.
Are you sure they didnt mean the CU position but the tails entering the Henley block or meter and not within the CU as you suggest now that would make sense. Many a time ive seen a 40plus post thread debate an area then it turns out the OP had made a misinterpretation rather than the story we have been lead to believe.

 

[HandySparks]

just baffles me as to why Elecsa deem exsposed inner insulation on main tails at C.U. main switch to be a problem.

Do you have a reference or weblink for this? If not, why do you think this?

 

[1shortcircuit]

if the termination is within an enclosure then their are no reg's regarding the extent of the outer sheath of a double sheathed cable is stripped but good practice is enough to identify the colour of the inner sheath without the need to remove cable from clamp.

Read more: http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...al-forum/60831-meter-tails.html#ixzz21AHlDbde

this is my understanding too and makes a whole lot of sense. just baffles me as to why Elecsa deem exsposed inner insulation on main tails at C.U. main switch to be a problem. there is no regulation to back it up.

Identification of the conductor at point of termination means that there is no need to see the colour of the inner insulation (brown/blue tape or l/N tape). Also, the big L/N on each terminal should be enough of a give away to work out which is which

 

[Darkwood]

1short.. he was responding to my post and in response to yours, there is no regulation stated that the outer sheath of a 2 sheath cables cannot be stripped back in any way when within an enclosure whether it be a dist board or other enclosure, the OP has been told the exposed inner sheath is an issue and in agreement with the OP we dont believe this to be the case, and when termination into a Dist' board is made - identification is only neccesary when wiring in singles, 2 differing colour codes present and when not doing so may lead to confusion so exposing 20mm of inner sheath negates the need to waste ID tags on the tails as its visually clear that polarity(confirmed with a test) and inner sheath colour coding are correct.
I always have and will continue to reveal a section of inner sheathing to present the sheath colour code when terminated within an enclosure, this thread is looking for a regulation against doing it not for a solution to identifying the cable if outer sheath is left fully on.

 

[JD6400]

I am with you Darkwood , and personally would go as far as saying that it is bad practise not to leave 10 - 20mm of inner sheath exposed when terminating inside a enclosure if not identifying the cable with L/N or coloured tape .

 

[Darkwood]

It beggars the question on how we are allowed single sheathed cables if what the OP was told was the case.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Both making good points Darkwood and DP

 

[Jimmy Boy]

I've just ordered some double Blu/Blu Brn/Brn tails so no mistaking them lol.
J