Outside cable

[neil_ev]

Hi all,

just wandering if there's any problem with running T+E in PVC conduit that's buried underground out to a shed. Circuit will come off it's own breaker on a 17th Ed. RCD protected consumer unit.

thanks

Neil

 

[Farmelectrics]

i wouldnt use that method my self run swa cable buried

 

[neil_ev]

I appreciate that you wouldn't use it, nut i'm trying to find out if there is actually anything wrong with this method.

- - - Updated - - -

*but .

 

[Octopus]

Why would you want to do it that way?

 

[neil_ev]

Why would you want to do it that way?

a matter of cost really, but i'm just interested if it's within regs........

 

[Octopus]

SWA isn't that expensive, especially if you consider the time and materials.

 

[neil_ev]

Have i stumbled on a game of 'avoid the question'? only joking..... i realise the price difference isn't much but it's just a lot more practical if i could use T+E as i always have an abundance of i t on the van whereas SWA would have to be cut to length with waste.

 

[Octopus]

Best practice would be to use SWA.

And no I'm not avoiding your question but have you read the BGB?

 

[not clever]

Yes you can.

 

[whitestu]

From a practical, rather than regs, point of view depending on location it can be hard to stop the conduit filling with water which isn't ideal.

 

[Engineer54]

Do the dammed job properly using the right cable for the environment it's to be installed in. T&E is and has never been, designed to be used in underground installations, ...end of!! Don't keep falling back on what is or not mentioned in BS7671, this was written with and for electricians in mind, so assumes a degree of technical knowledge and practical experience. It's not a rule book for amateurs.

 

[SparkyJoe]

Do the dammed job properly using the right cable for the environment it's to be installed in. T&E is and has never been, designed to be used in underground installations, ...end of!! Don't keep falling back on what is or not mentioned in BS7671, this was written with and for electricians in mind, so assumes a degree of technical knowledge and practical experience. It's not a rule book for amateurs.

Your conduit / t&e is not very spade proof lol

 

[brman]

Your conduit / t&e is not very spade proof lol

From a regs point of view I think that is your problem. The T&E would have to be adequately mechanically and environmentally protected (sorry, can't remember the wording of the regs). If it is then it doesn't matter if it is underground or in space but the trouble is, there is not categoric definition of what that has to be.
Lets face it, a spade will damage SWA enough to later corrode and fail but that is deemed ok if dug deep enough so nothing is perfect.

Personally though I would agree with what others have said. Unless you have some pretty tough conduit (I am thinking at least plastic drainpipe strength, not standard conduit) and can keep the water and rodents out then SWA does sound more sensible.
I do agree with the problem of buying/storing SWA if you don't use it much. I've got 20m of the damn stuff getting in the way in my garage.......

 

[Engineer54]

I really can't believe what i'm reading here!!

Is there anyone here that would actually contemplate running in a T&E for an outside underground cable run??

 

[brman]

I really can't believe what i'm reading here!!

Is there anyone here that would actually contemplate running in a T&E for an outside underground cable run??

I've seen T&E run in what looked like soil pipe before. I don't really see the point as it would be more expensive than just using swa but I wouldn't complain if I found it on an inspection and it wasn't full of water.
Personally I would like to run SWA in plastic pipe as I have seen what happens when it is nicked by a spade and left for a few years but I think most would think that is a bit ott and I would find it hard to justify to a paying customer.....