SWA Earthing

[electromonkey]

Hello readers,

I have a question regarding a 6mm 3 core SWA that runs from an RCD protected MCB to the outside of a house and is run along the external wall of a property which it is clipped to for about 4 metres. It then re enters the property and goes directly in to a 40A DP isolator for a shower. The armour of the cable isn't earthed. I am conducting a PIR for this property and initially thought it wasn't correct. I am now thinking that there is nothing wrong with this, with my logic being that it is clipped to the external of the property and is RCD protected so therefore should be treated as if it were flex supplying power to an outside light that is positioned on the side of a house.

Could someone clear this up for me please?

Ta

Electromonkey

 

[oxocube]

It's a dangerous bodge and the swa must be earthed.

 

[Big n Daft]

All SWA should be earthed. It is defo not to treated as a flex.

 

[electromonkey]

Cheers gents, could you elaborate as to why? It's got me thinking now because if I was to run a feed for an outside light using 1mm 3 core SWA (RCD protection etc....) would the armour of that too need bonding?

 

[Knobhead]

If you can, earth the supply end at least. This sounds a real botch job!

Re your last question, yes

 

[electromonkey]

If you can, earth the supply end at least. This sounds a real botch job!

Re your last question, yes

It sounds like a botch but it's reasonably tidy and I should be able to get a clamp on it.

Could someone clear up why it is not acceptable?

 

[electromonkey]

To my last question that is.

 

[Chr!s]

The armor is classed as an exposed conductive part, so it requires connection to earth.

Regards Chris

 

[electromonkey]

That's the one!

Cheers Chris.

 

[oxocube]

For this situation, there is no such thing as an swa cable clamp, the swa needs to be terminated with glands that are securely connected to earth.

 

[malcolmsanford]

And just in case you need to quote the relevant reg it is 411.6.2