Non compliant Meter tails replacement with a non compliant fix!

[bobdabuilda]

Hello all, I am desperate for some advice on a job I had done yesterday by an electrical contractor.

The job was a meter tail replacement and routing to the cu but apparently it does not meet the 17th ed regs. For the sake of brevity the thread I started with relevant pictures of the install, is on this forum Damaged a meter neutral feed cable to CU - DIYnot.com - DIY and Home Improvement.

There have been all manner of answers and irrelevant posts but could a qualified electrician tell me if this install is safe and compliant please?

Thanks

 

[DoBBY]

I think I understood (running it externally by the side of the window) but it wouldn't be any better looking than the pic with the redline route on it and I doubt that it would pass the 'her indoors regs'...;o) . Can someone please confirm that safe zones are negated if the cables are buried 50mm or more and don't then need conduit/trunking?

150mm safe zones don't come into play if cable is ran horizontily or vertically to an accessery or consumer unit. Which in your case it does

 

[thekingiam]

Look ime just fed up with this post sorry but going around in circles all night ain't going to solve anything options are there I myself would either go through cavity to cu or swa outside to point entering bak of box underneath cu.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I'll stop posting, if you stop posting.

 

[bobdabuilda]

Look ime just fed up with this post sorry but going around in circles all night ain't going to solve anything options are there I myself would either go through cavity to cu or swa outside to point entering bak of box underneath cu.

Nobody's forcing you to post are they? The problem is going round and round because everyone has different ideas. I was hoping that by asking the question a common 'single' solution would emerge but it hasn't

Ok last question, if the whole of the current install is buried 50mm or more below the finished wall surface would this make it compliant with 17th ed regs?

 

[terminator]

thekingiam - I think the post had naturally ended - then you started it up again.

 

[terminator]

Ok last question, if the whole of the current install is buried 50mm or more below the finished wall surface would this make it compliant with 17th ed regs?

Yes - but if it's in the cavity it's got to be safer at 120mm imo.

Edit: Just to make it clear, I am talking about the 35mm tails only - just incase someone decide to pump the cavity full of insulation.

 

[bobdabuilda]

arghhhhhhh. )


cable in cavity rules

 

[terminator]

You could always go down the inside of the double glazed window - that way the cable route would be clearly in view. Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[bobdabuilda]

but the question was the 'current installation' with its triple capping in its 35mm chasing- not the cavity! could a simple solution be double boarding?

 

[terminator]

Bob - Just studied the piccies (which I should have done in the first place). I think the easiest and simplest way is to use the same route (diagonal-ish) with EARTHED steel capping. Alternative inside cavity - but I dont like the idea of lose unsupported tails dangling diagonally in a cavity wall, Unless you could go vertically up from meter box (inside cavity) then into ceiling space and down into CU. Hope this may help -

Good luck, I'm off to bed.

 

[PC Electrics]

Why don't you just put some 3mm steel plate over the existing tails (after repairing the neutral). Don't forget to earth it. That'll give you the required mechanical protection, won't impinge on the room size and won't be seen by 'the boss'.

Capping won't meet the mechanical protection requirements.
See Q12:
New or rewired domestic and similar installations : Electrical Safety Council

 

[terminator]

Why don't you just put some 3mm steel plate over the existing tails (after repairing the neutral). Don't forget to earth it. That'll give you the required mechanical protection, won't impinge on the room size and won't be seen by 'the boss'.

Capping won't meet the mechanical protection requirements.
See Q12:
New or rewired domestic and similar installations : Electrical Safety Council

I did state "EARTHED STEEL CAPPING" which is available and does meet the mechanical protection requirements!

I looks as if bobdabuilder will have to replace dry lining anyway - so I would suggest that replacing damaged tail would be preferable to repairing (bodge), and then re-routing both tails through meter cabinet, then on internal face of blockwork, vertically up beside window, and then horizontally along top 150mm zone to CU and capped with earthed steel capping as stated previously.