Running twin and earth outside

[mark28118]

Is there a regulation against running twin and earth cables outdoors, clipped direct within reach without mechanical protection or is it just a good practice thing ? Not got a regs book to hand, can someone give me the reg no if there is....thanks alot

Say for instance along fence panels at waist height, clipped !

 

[Guitarist]

Is there a regulation against running twin and earth cables outdoors, clipped direct within reach without mechanical protection or is it just a good practice thing ? Not got a regs book to hand, can someone give me the reg no if there is....thanks alot

Say for instance along fence panels at waist height, clipped !

T&E should not be used without protection where it is exposed to UV for any length of time, as it degrades the sheath properties. That said, it is common practice to have small amounts going to outside lights fixed to a property.
Under no circumstances should you entertain fixing it to a fence, regardless of height.
Also, if you don't already know, running power outside is notifiable.

 

[mark28118]

Thanks alot, is this stated in the regs ? I know what your saying and i would always protect the cable or use armoured at home but i'm testing and inspecting 50hz over in afghan, and just need a BS7671 quote or reg number and my books about 2 miles away

 

[telectrix]

external influences? secateurs, hedge trimmers? degradation due to UV?

 

[snowhead]

external influences? secateurs, hedge trimmers? degradation due to UV?

Taliban, Camels etc.

 

[telectrix]

pikeys?

 

[Guitarist]

pikeys?

Taliban pikeys!!!

 

[Guitarist]

Thanks alot, is this stated in the regs ? I know what your saying and i would always protect the cable or use armoured at home but i'm testing and inspecting 50hz over in afghan, and just need a BS7671 quote or reg number and my books about 2 miles away

I guess it's not notifiable then

I think it's fair to say that UV will be a prominent external factor in this case.

 

[telectrix]

pikeys measure cable , not in metres but in hands, i.e. how many hands will it take to lug this cable to the nearest scrapyard.

 

[Guitarist]

pikeys measure cable , not in metres but in hands, i.e. how many hands will it take to lug this cable to the nearest scrapyard.

I wonder if pikeys the world over drive red transit vans....

 

[mark28118]

No not notifiable ha, we are just basically inspecting the installations over here and faulting and amending everything we see not to BS 7671, had abit of a debate with a friend about running twin and earth outdoors clipped direct and needed a reg. to back me up. The UV won't matter because the cable in question is actually 90 deg american stuff, it was just hypothetical, i'll have a good look later on ! Taaa

 

[onfire25]

Is there a regulation against running twin and earth cables outdoors, clipped direct within reach without mechanical protection or is it just a good practice thing ? Not got a regs book to hand, can someone give me the reg no if there is....thanks alot

Say for instance along fence panels at waist height, clipped !

Reg 521.10 Installation of cables (pg 122)

Non-sheathed cables for fixed wiring shall be enclosed in conduit, ducting or trunking

Reg 522.6 Impact (pg 124)

Wiring systems shall be selected and erected so as to minimize the damage arising from mechanical stress, e.g by impact, abrasions penetration (oh i love a bit of DP!) etc etc.

Personally.....if it was me.....run it in PVC conduit.....looks better and just safer......the outer sheathing will go brittle a while down the line!

 

[Guitarist]

Just as an FYI, the sheathing on T&E is a sheathing, so 521.10 is not really relevant here.
Lots of other regs which can be quoted about "suitability" though.

 

[tidyboiler]

I wonder if pikeys the world over drive red transit vans....

No.............. red Toyota Auris's. :auto:

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Is there a regulation against running twin and earth cables outdoors, clipped direct within reach without mechanical protection or is it just a good practice thing ? Not got a regs book to hand, can someone give me the reg no if there is....thanks alot

Say for instance along fence panels at waist height, clipped !

No there is no Regulation prohibiting this practice.
There are Regulations which require you to assess the suitability of the cable with regards to environmental conditions, but these are the same requirements that apply to all cables.
There is some concern that UV may degrade the outer sheath, but as the outer sheath is the same material as used on other cables (some of which are recommended for exterior use) the concerns are not worth much.
If the T&E is not in direct sunlight for any appreciable amount of time the outer sheath should be good for at least as long as the life expectance of the cable.