Singles Cables

[petegibbons]

I am currently doing some periodic inspection to domestic sheltered accommodations.

We have found the lighting to be in singles were the the lives are wired with a combined cpc however the neutrals are wired in singles cable with no cpc.

I would imagine this is a deviation from the regulations but I am not sure on how I should grade it. ie: does it require urgent attention??

If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

 

[Spudnik]

I think you are right but im not entirely sure i understand how it has been done?

 

[kung]

Sounds like they had loads of neutral singles left from a job and used this and 2 core cable and removed the neutral sleeving and shoved the cpc sleeving onto it and thought That will do ! be intresting to see if any other places they have the same !

 

[Spudnik]

Ah the old 'unearthed' twin and earth as it were.

Think that would be a 2 in my book.

 

[kung]

All part of the fun !
Agree Requires improvement.

 

[amberleaf]

regs 314.4 what it means no borrowed neutrals in single cables

 

[Spudnik]

I think it means not to borrow to use for another circuit.

 

[kung]

I love borrowed neutrals best found after isolating a circuit to work on !

I am currently doing some periodic inspection to domestic sheltered accommodations.

We have found the lighting to be in singles were the the lives are wired with a combined cpc however the neutrals are wired in singles cable with no cpc.

I would imagine this is a deviation from the regulations but I am not sure on how I should grade it. ie: does it require urgent attention??

If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

P.S Pete
advise the person ordering the PIR that whilst the safety of those using the installation may not be at immediate risk remedial action should be taken as soon as possible to improve the safety of the installation.
Regards
Kung

 

[petegibbons]

I love borrowed neutrals best found after isolating a circuit to work on !



P.S Pete
advise the person ordering the PIR that whilst the safety of those using the installation may not be at immediate risk remedial action should be taken as soon as possible to improve the safety of the installation.
Regards
Kung

Thanks Kung, all the information off everyone is appreciated.

 

[Guest123]

Hey.

If they're pvc pvc singles i.e single red + cpc, and single black, then why is this a code 2??

or am I misunderstanding it?? are they pvc singles??

It's been a long day and I could be talking out of my.......

 

[lister]

agree with lennytheloon so long as the neutral single is double insulated type this should be ok.

 

[petegibbons]

agree with lennytheloon so long as the neutral single is double insulated type this should be ok.

Would it not be a problem that there is no combined CPC??

 

[lister]

not really, dont forget that we may not do this now but at the time it was ok and to regs, so the fact that it may not meet current regulations for instance does not mean that is is either unsafe or needs to be changed.
cover yourself with whatever you find even if you are unsure about it, somewhere on the certificate there will be comments or deviations from regs section , just list it there.

 

[Guest123]

Hey Pete.

We used to use pvc pvc singles a lot usually for outside lights and wall lights.

We would take a pvc pvc single neutral to one end of the circuit, then a pvc pvc single live + cpc to the other end and t+e between.

As long as you have a cpc in one of the singles it doesn't matter.

pvc conduit singles are just that - single cable.

Cheers.

 

[petegibbons]

Hey Pete.

We used to use pvc pvc singles a lot usually for outside lights and wall lights.

We would take a pvc pvc single neutral to one end of the circuit, then a pvc pvc single live + cpc to the other end and t+e between.

As long as you have a cpc in one of the singles it doesn't matter.

pvc conduit singles are just that - single cable.

Cheers.

I have tried to contact the NIC for clarification on this.

I was under the impression this does not now conform with the regulations as there is a problem that if the neutral cable (which is classed as a live conductor) gets damaged then an earth fault would not occur. Although I can not see any regulation this is breaking.

I know it's common practice, I just wanted to be sure in this situation as there are other electricians maintaining properties we are inspecting. If we miss anything they will only be too quick to report us.