Now which cable for this farm job?

[HappyHippyDad]

Just a bit more from this job I've been going on about at the stables..

The chap has 10-15 meters of flex plugged in (just below Consumer unit) taking power to each individual flood. What sort of length of flex is acceptable? I'm going to be changing it all so they are on seperate MCB's in CU, so T&E to seperate switchs just below consumer unit and then can i just use the flex he already has in place, would save him a lot in time and cable? I'd rather be using T&E on a longer run and then into a junction box just before the flood to change to flex to terminate into flood?

 

[telectrix]

what's the load of the floods?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

what's the load of the floods?

4 of them are 500w (although will be approx 50W LED's) and one 10W LED

 

[telectrix]

think i see your plan. 6A or 10A MCB in CU feeding individual switches. i'd use a grid switch assembly as the switches are D/P so an earth fault on a flood can be isolated.

 

[Marvo]

Flex isn't ideal but I don't think it's against the regs(tin hat on) depending on the installation method ie is it in conduit where buried, also is it exposed to sun anywhere etc

As for acceptable length it would also depend on installation method and size of load (ocpd) etc, just refer to the tables in the regs. I'm gonna predict you have RCD tripping issues if these floods weren't already RCD protected before the new CU was installed.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

think i see your plan. 6A or 10A MCB in CU feeding individual switches. i'd use a grid switch assembly as the switches are D/P so an earth fault on a flood can be isolated.

Thanks Tel, so what cable would be ok, the 15m's of flex on each of them? Or change to T&E?

 

[telectrix]

hmm.... i'd be inclined to configure the CU with a couple of non-RCD ways and feed the floods from a non-RCD way. ( provided 522.6 is not contravened, and the flexes are well out of reach of the nags.

 

[telectrix]

Thanks Tel, so what cable would be ok, the 15m's of flex on each of them? Or change to T&E?[/QUOT


if outside, don't use T/E. black flex is better resistant to UV, or even hi-tuf. depends on the client's budget.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Flex isn't ideal but I don't think it's against the regs(tin hat on) depending on the installation method ie is it in conduit where buried, also is it exposed to sun anywhere etc

As for acceptable length it would also depend on installation method and size of load (ocpd) etc, just refer to the tables in the regs. I'm gonna predict you have RCD tripping issues if these floods weren't already RCD protected before the new CU was installed.

Thanks Marvo,
The lights are already running through the RCD that they will be using when I seperate them on to seperate MCB's, not sure why I would get a problem, no 2 way switching and no borrowed neutrals?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Thanks Tel, so what cable would be ok, the 15m's of flex on each of them? Or change to T&E?[/QUOT


if outside, don't use T/E. black flex is better resistant to UV, or even hi-tuf. depends on the client's budget.

I'd always use black flex outside, this is all inside, cheers Tel.

 

[Guest55]

100% no lie , as a surprise for fathers day , whilst parents are on holiday , i have completely rewired the garage and exterior lighting to the highest spec possible

full fp200 wiring
MK metalclad accessories
rcbo local protection
commercial florescent lighting

all stolen from the job im on lol.....
sweet.
;-)

 

[telectrix]

stick with the flex that's there, then. as i said, if it's surface and inaccessible to animals, then no need for RCD.

 

[Marvo]

Thanks Marvo,
The lights are already running through the RCD that they will be using when I seperate them on to seperate MCB's, not sure why I would get a problem, no 2 way switching and no borrowed neutrals?

If it was installed by the owner my worry would be when it rains the floodlights leak, junction boxes leak, tape joints leak, damaged cables leak and it could become an earth leakage nightmare. If it's already on RCD then at least there shouldn't be any nasty surprises.

 

[Dcf]

100% no lie , as a surprise for fathers day , whilst parents are on holiday , i have completely rewired the garage and exterior lighting to the highest spec possible

full fp200 wiring
MK metalclad accessories
rcbo local protection
commercial florescent lighting

all stolen from the job im on lol.....
sweet.
;-)

I thought I was doing well buying a new barbecue for my old fella.
not stolen either!

 

[Knobhead]

100% no lie , as a surprise for fathers day , whilst parents are on holiday , i have completely rewired the garage and exterior lighting to the highest spec possible

full fp200 wiring
MK metalclad accessories
rcbo local protection
commercial florescent lighting

all stolen from the job im on lol.....
sweet.
;-)

Can’t see a problem with that.

Cheapskate!

Did you use you’re crayons for dads card?