surface laying SWA

[Des 56]

lol i wouldnt do that may be surprising seems like the kind of thing i would think of doing along with surface laying swa :/

Lets take a step further along the Biff trail, where "clipping to the fence" was frowned upon


It would now be interesting to hear,in order of merit, why laying it on the ground causes the danger that is warned of by so many
(Overgrown with vegetation and sadistic Sid putting the spade through it is excluded)
Oh and nail protective devices

 

[mickys86]

Just for the record I actually believe its safer clipped low level to the fence. But I don't make the rules

 

[Rhys Hewitt]

good idea a one foot high fence is not likely to blow down or get damaged however dont think i will be doing that as it would destroy my budget just buying planks to clip to

 

[Richard Burns]

Lets take a step further along the Biff trail, where "clipping to the fence" was frowned upon


It would now be interesting to hear,in order of merit, why laying it on the ground causes the danger that is warned of by so many
(Overgrown with vegetation and sadistic Sid putting the spade through it is excluded)
Oh and nail protective devices

I would say that there is no real danger so long as the cable is visible, under a hedge may be a bit too hidden as growth occurs but in front of a hedge should be fine.

 

[Richard Burns]

Just for the record I actually believe its safer clipped low level to the fence. But I don't make the rules

I think it is the NICEIC that is making that rule, i.e. a made up idea from them not related to the regulations.

 

[Rhys Hewitt]

if you want to hear why else i think it would be dangerous laying it on the ground i would say small animals could chew or tamper with it maybe someone who didn't know what it was could try to remove it along with other dangers witch i can not think of this is why i asked on here in the first place

 

[Gavin A]

good idea a one foot high fence is not likely to blow down or get damaged however dont think i will be doing that as it would destroy my budget just buying planks to clip to

no need to do the fence bit IMO (unless maybe you do have dogs liable to chew on it regularly), just bang the posts in, preferably using something that won't rot in the ground, and string the cable between them below the hedge at sufficient ground clearance to make sure it can't get covered in leaves - using a catenary wire could extend the distance between the posts, and be good practice.

As long as it's visible and securely fixed there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Rhys Hewitt]

there would be no grown from found the hedge as there is gravel below and it would not be under the hedge more running parallele with the hedge line but im not going to do it il get an electrician to do it or just splash out on a geni for a cheaper price and leave my compressor in my room with air lines going outside no regs against that

 

[Rhys Hewitt]

yet another great idea i will look into getting this done as a cheap alternative however i still feel that the cost will mainly be labour witch is why i wanted to lay the cable in the first place then all the electrician has to do it terminate no dogs got cats put they wont do anything im still going to leave it though not worth me doing the job wrong

 

[Des 56]

if you want to hear why else i think it would be dangerous laying it on the ground i would say small animals could chew or tamper with it maybe someone who didn't know what it was could try to remove it along with other dangers witch i can not think of this is why i asked on here in the first place

I had a feeling the Pikeys would get some of the blame lol

 

[Rhys Hewitt]

yup have had a pikey problem before had my shed broken into over a grand of tools stolen and had to replace them all hence the tight budget

 

[McN41R]

Rhys, i thought you question was very good and valid, unfortunately you never got many well considered answers. I think you are concerned that an electrician may scare you into an expensive option when cheaper options are available.

i am an electrical consultant and not an electrician and don't get guidance notes from the likes of NICEIC or ECA (which are often very helpful). I understand the comments with respect to fences and each fence should by judged on merit (remembering the electrical installation has a tabulated life expectancy of 15 years).

A cable should be installed in a fixed manner ie to a fixed item such as wall, other structure, ground etc) and installed in a manner to prevent future damage. This would rule out:
1. Laying a cable loose on the ground.
2. To a fence with limited life expectancy or not structurally sound
3. Laying a cable below the surface just below the ground and covered with the likes of slabs.
4. Other variations.

you options:
1. clip direct to a structurally robust wall.
2. Tench or duct (by electrician).
3. Trench or duct (trench prepared by you).

The making and back filling of the trench is very expensive and I would cosider the previous recommendation of preparing this yourself. Ask your an electrician for a cost for trench requirements.

As for trench depths I usually use the national jointing utilities group guidance. (Free download) at 450mm, but this may be lower for a private dwelling (I think 250mm springs to mind but would need help on this one?).

regards
McN41R

 

[odawire]

Rhys, i thought you question was very good and valid, unfortunately you never got many well considered answers. I think you are concerned that an electrician may scare you into an expensive option when cheaper options are available.

i am an electrical consultant and not an electrician and don't get guidance notes from the likes of NICEIC or ECA (which are often very helpful). I understand the comments with respect to fences and each fence should by judged on merit (remembering the electrical installation has a tabulated life expectancy of 15 years).

A cable should be installed in a fixed manner ie to a fixed item such as wall, other structure, ground etc) and installed in a manner to prevent future damage. This would rule out:
1. Laying a cable loose on the ground.
2. To a fence with limited life expectancy or not structurally sound
3. Laying a cable below the surface just below the ground and covered with the likes of slabs.
4. Other variations.

you options:
1. clip direct to a structurally robust wall.
2. Tench or duct (by electrician).
3. Trench or duct (trench prepared by you).

The making and back filling of the trench is very expensive and I would cosider the previous recommendation of preparing this yourself. Ask your an electrician for a cost for trench requirements.

As for trench depths I usually use the national jointing utilities group guidance. (Free download) at 450mm, but this may be lower for a private dwelling (I think 250mm springs to mind but would need help on this one?).

regards
McN41R

This is SWA were talking about its pretty tough, I wouldn't worry too much if it was on the ground or just below the surface, it will obviously be tucked away around plants and stuff. OP- Just please make sure its properly terminated or it could be seriously dangerous!

 

[telectrix]

well, i have to admit here, that i ran a SWA to shed 2 years ago. laid next to fence on top of soil, waiting for me to get trench dug.... still waiting. hasten to add, though , that i'd not do this at a client's. it would be properly buried.

 

[Rockingit]

There's more rubbish in this thread than my local landfill.

You've got three options....clip it, hang it or bury it. Its not a nuclear warhead we're discussing.