shower wired in swa?

[Mike Blair]

Alright guys got a phone call of a friend asking me to do a shower...but the client doesn't want conduit or the walls to be chased out. The ferm and the client agreed with a swa from the db clipped outside into the loft then into isolator and shower.... Is this even ok?? ignore the fact its gona be ugly as .... what do you guys think?

 

[dalecross1991]

How about hi-tuff ? Easy to work with..

 

[7029 dave]

How about hi-tuff ? Easy to work with..

See they do it in 4mm an 6mm, never used to years ago.

 

[markc123]

Is it on the north side of the house... T&E (depending on manufacturer) usually degrades quickly in direct sunlight, I have seen it whiten and crack cables south facing within a few years.. again depends on manufacturer but its not a UV tolerant cable so shouldn't be used unless stated so by the manufacturer.

I have literally seen thousands of t+e exposed around here, caravan sites are quite common places for exposed t+e and yes the sheath has faded a tiny bit but still IR's like 400-500 ... it must be cheap import cable you've seen. I don't use t+e for outdoor application personally but i've seen literally tons of it, and quite a lot which has been standing exposed for 15+ years and never witnessed anything major.

 

[davesparks]

I have literally seen thousands of t+e exposed around here, caravan sites are quite common places for exposed t+e and yes the sheath has faded a tiny bit but still IR's like 400-500 ... it must be cheap import cable you've seen. I don't use t+e for outdoor application personally but i've seen literally tons of it, and quite a lot which has been standing exposed for 15+ years and never witnessed anything major.

A good IR test isn't the be all and end all of it! The faded sheath can be a sign that the sheath and insulation have become brittle. This won't show up on an IR test but will notice if the cable gets moved for any reason.

 

[Darkwood]

I have literally seen thousands of t+e exposed around here, caravan sites are quite common places for exposed t+e and yes the sheath has faded a tiny bit but still IR's like 400-500 ... it must be cheap import cable you've seen. I don't use t+e for outdoor application personally but i've seen literally tons of it, and quite a lot which has been standing exposed for 15+ years and never witnessed anything major.

If the cable has whitened it's a sign of deteriation of the integrity of the cable and the sheath no longer performs as designed ..as above this won't be picked up on an IR test unless it's progression has affected the insulation on the cores.

 

[markc123]

If the cable has whitened it's a sign of deteriation of the integrity of the cable and the sheath no longer performs as designed ..as above this won't be picked up on an IR test unless it's progression has affected the insulation on the cores.

I'm gonna re-read this thread, because i think I'm missing the point. I totally get what you're saying and i understand that, but thats just for the comments box on a eicr ... if it IR's satisfactory then its electrically safe, can't go round replacing **** on the assumption someone might move it?

 

[andyb]

See they do it in 4mm an 6mm, never used to years ago.

I've just installed 25mm for a sub main Dave.

 

[davesparks]

I'm gonna re-read this thread, because i think I'm missing the point. I totally get what you're saying and i understand that, but thats just for the comments box on a eicr ... if it IR's satisfactory then its electrically safe, can't go round replacing **** on the assumption someone might move it?

No, if all of the tests and an inspection pass then it may be considered electrically safe.

 

[Darkwood]

Part of an eicr is visual so recognising problems will be key to how you report them, of course if you find the cable has no physical damage or poor test results then it's OK but I would still put a side note that the cable is unsuitable for its environment ..... on the train of thought here it's like saying you found a nasty gouge in the outer pvc jacket but because the test resuly 's were fine you ignore it! ...

The outer pvc is the environmental protection, when that is compromised the inner insulation jacket gets exposed to the environment which it was not designed to do... yes it may last quite a few years but that's situation dependent but still it's the case to note it as unsuitable for the environment whether it's brand new or 10yrs old going strong.

 

[markc123]

Part of an eicr is visual so recognising problems will be key to how you report them, of course if you find the cable has no physical damage or poor test results then it's OK but I would still put a side note that the cable is unsuitable for its environment ..... on the train of thought here it's like saying you found a nasty gouge in the outer pvc jacket but because the test resuly 's were fine you ignore it! ...

The outer pvc is the environmental protection, when that is compromised the inner insulation jacket gets exposed to the environment which it was not designed to do... yes it may last quite a few years but that's situation dependent but still it's the case to note it as unsuitable for the environment whether it's brand new or 10yrs old going strong.

Genuinely never thought of it like that. I always note if i see t+e outside anyway, but i never really see the problem with it along as it tests out fine. I always use flex outside, regardless of the t+e outside debate it does look hideous, flex is such a neater job.

 

[Darkwood]

Remember the outer sheath of a twin covered cable is the environmental protection, the inner sheath is the cable insulation and can and often do have different properties so a breach in the outer sheath or even exposure to an environment that damages the structural integrity of the outer sheath needs addressing nd either the cable repaired, replaced (with a suitable type if environmental damage) or taken out of service.

If your using flex outdoors remember to ask its suitablitity to UV, its mainly the black flexes that are suitable and white not but can vary with manufacturer.