Pyro meter tails, can they stay or need replacing?

[glenn]

hi all , im having a new consumer unit fitted ,but my meter tails are in pyro its a 1970's 2 bed terraced house.. im just waiting for my electrician to confirm if he can re use the pyro tails or they have to be replaced with something more modern.
can anyone confirm yes or no have they got to go? the electrician tested them and said they are perfect .
thanks glenn

 

[davesparks]

There's no need to replace them just because they are pyro.

 

[Strima]

If they've tested fine them leave them as they are.

 

[glenn]

hi dave thanks for replying, the pyro is i think 10mm is this ok , the main fuse is 60 amp. its obviously been in since the house was built ,i dont need anything upgrading and no need for any extras electric wise.
thanks

 

[SparkyChick]

There's no need to replace them just because they are pyro.

If they've tested fine them leave them as they are.

Learning opportunity question coming up...

As I have no experience of pyro, is there anything that should be considered if you have to move it? For example, if the both ends are properly terminated but the one doesn't quite fit a knockout in a new enclosure? How far is it safe to tweak it before you have to be concerned about possible damage/internal faults?

Likewise, if it's a major change of position?

 

[Des 56]

The cable itself has the cores insulated with compacted magnesium powder,they will take one mighty hammer blow to even damage that insulation
If you bend the cable,do so with a sweep rather than try and do an instant 90 degrees (which will probably collapse the outer copper sheath),there is a tool for making the bends but using a bit of rounded wood will do
The pots on the end are star crimped with a soft compound insulation,they do not like being disturbed,so any movement needed should be elsewhere other than the pot

It is possible to remove the gland and pot and re use if you take care,however,the potting compound would need renewing,so best have some handy if you are ever going to dismantle,without the correct tools it would be difficult for a newbie to terminate,however,the stripping,potting and crimping can be done with hand tools if needs be

 

[Strima]

What Des says!!!

I would IR it afterwards just to be certain the potting compound hasn't moved etc.

 

[glenn]

its just a straight swap on the consumer unit, hes happy to refit the pyro if its all ok to do so ..like i said it tested perfect, no moving involved .i just need to know if it can stay on the pyro be legal, meet all the regs needed and get certified?

 

[Des 56]

glenn
Pyro is in many ways a superior cable to what is now used in many applications
If it tested fine and is adequate for your current demand,then leave it and have confidence that its reputation over many years is not overstated

 

[Strima]

Pyro complies with British standards so is fine to use. TBH if your house burnt down the Pyro would still be there and working as intended.

It used to be in common use, I worked on a load of 50's built council flats in Cambridge a few years ago and it was all in good condition. A bit of brasso polished it up lovely...

(please note, don't polish it...)

 

[davesparks]

its just a straight swap on the consumer unit, hes happy to refit the pyro if its all ok to do so ..like i said it tested perfect, no moving involved .i just need to know if it can stay on the pyro be legal, meet all the regs needed and get certified?

It's probably fine, but I couldn't say for certain without actually seeing the job.

It's up to the electrician doing the job to make the decision

 

[glenn]

i think hes waiting for a reply from napit?

 

[davesparks]

Learning opportunity question coming up...

As I have no experience of pyro, is there anything that should be considered if you have to move it? For example, if the both ends are properly terminated but the one doesn't quite fit a knockout in a new enclosure? How far is it safe to tweak it before you have to be concerned about possible damage/internal faults?

Likewise, if it's a major change of position?

If it's got a sharp bend in it then it'll probably split if you try to re-work it.

It's pretty bomb proof and can usually be moved without issue, though a bit of experience helps a lot to know how far is too far as work hardening can cause it to split.

Also it can be annealed with a blow torch if necessary.

 

[westward10]

i think hes waiting for a reply from napit?

They are probably Googling Pyro as we speak.

 

[davesparks]

i think hes waiting for a reply from napit?

They'll probably trot out a standard line telling him to replace with 25mm tails.