Need advice for commercial install - conduit

[Jon Ash]

Hi All,

I need some advice if you don't mind please. Not an electrician and have just moved into a workshop and electrics were relatively ok but now we need to install some new lighting as cheaply as possible but safely.

We had some LED battens from our old workshop and we've hung them in suspended on chains in the right place in the roof space ready for wiring up.

The wires will need to travel across a 1.5 metre gap before we can clip them to the roof beams and take them back to the board/switch.

Questions are:
1. Is it ok to have a wire hanging in fresh air like that?
2. Does it have to be in conduit?
3. Do I need flex wire and run that up the chain into conduit across the underside of the roof?
3. What's the proper way to do this please?

FYI, we're not wiring this ourselves, I just want to know what I'm in for before we start as we're a new business and funds are non-existent right now.

Thanks all!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

1.5m is a bit far for a cable to just hang.
I would expect the cables could be run up to where the chains holding the fittings are attached and the cable run down the chain.
No the cable doesn’t have to be in conduit, though a lot will depend on the environment.

 

[Jon Ash]

Thanks a lot, much appreciated!

 

[westward10]

Whatever support system you use for the cable it must retain it to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire.

 

[Jon Ash]

OK, good to know - thanks a lot!

 

[Toneyz]

Thanks a lot, much appreciated!

Are we to assume that you are undertaking this work?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I would recommend you don’t suspend the fittings yourself, unless your liability insurer confirms they are happy with you doing so. Playing devil’s advocate, should one fall with disastrous consequence to someone underneath, a DIY job may provide a get out clause for your insurer.