SWA For meter tails?

[Msitekkie]

I need to upgrade my meter tails to 25mm. The existing tails pass along under the pebble dash in plastic conduit (which would be too small), then apparently at an angle through the porch structure (unprotected) then turn sideways into a void & up the void to CU.

I have seen other posts where the use of SWA is suggested but I haven't actually seen SWA with 25mm cores. "25mm SWA" appears to be 25mm "Outside diameter", so I presume that means the cores are smaller.

Any suggestions as to the best approach welcomed. I actually think I will struggle with getting SWA through anyway even if it does exist with suitable cores, because of the bends involved.

NB The meter box is under the window of the house rather than on the side of the porch, but the void inside the porch is set back behind the run of the outside wall so it's not possible to drill directly through the outside porch wall into it.

 

[Msitekkie]

When you say cut a channel you don’t mean to bury the tails in the wall do you? Because then they’d need RCD protection which would be unacceptable.

In conduit.

 

[Ian1981]

In conduit.

How will you Earth the conduit?

 

[Msitekkie]

How will you Earth the conduit?

Plastic conduit.

 

[Andy78]

Plastic conduit.

Really ? Please refer to previous comments of concern suggesting you get an electrician in.

 

[Msitekkie]

Really ? Please refer to previous comments of concern suggesting you get an electrician in.

I am involving another electrician... As mentioned previously. Existing tails are in plastic conduit embedded in the wall. This is more like passing through the wall in conduit as does the DNO supply.
If you have feedback on the method based on standards, please refer.

 

[Msitekkie]

Really ? Please refer to previous comments of concern suggesting you get an electrician in.

I am involving another electrician... As mentioned previously. Existing tails are in plastic conduit embedded in the wall. This is more like passing through the wall in conduit as does the DNO supply.
If you have feedback on the method based on standards, please refer.

 

[Andy78]

I am involving another electrician... As mentioned previously. Existing tails are in plastic conduit embedded in the wall. This is more like passing through the wall in conduit as does the DNO supply.
If you have feedback on the method based on standards, please refer.

If another electrician is involved then it would be most appropriate to ask them about installation methods and all other aspects of the installation if they are to be signing certificates. That is what I would expect if I were doing the same favour.

 

[Pete999]

I am involving another electrician... As mentioned previously. Existing tails are in plastic conduit embedded in the wall. This is more like passing through the wall in conduit as does the DNO supply.
If you have feedback on the method based on standards, please refer.

So you have the help of two Sparkies then?

 

[Midwest]

Don't get embroiled in scavenging now.

 

[davesparks]

Plastic conduit.

Not acceptable in my opinion, it would have to be earthed metal conduit to fully comply with the regulations.

 

[Msitekkie]

Not acceptable in my opinion, it would have to be earthed metal conduit to fully comply with the regulations.

I'm actually following the electricians instructions... but thanks for the heads up, I will raise it with him.
(For the benefit of anyone else trying to learn from this thread, the regulations we are discussing here are 522.6.x)
I'm now leaning back towards using 25mm SWA (2 core as I already have a decent earth) with a Henley block once I reach the void (more than 50mm deep) to convert back to double insulated tails and minimise issues with bend radius.

 

[Pete999]

I'm actually following the electricians instructions... but thanks for the heads up, I will raise it with him.
(For the benefit of anyone else trying to learn from this thread, the regulations we are discussing here are 522.6.x)
I'm now leaning back towards using 25mm SWA (2 core as I already have a decent earth) with a Henley block once I reach the void (more than 50mm deep) to convert back to double insulated tails and minimise issues with bend radius.

How will you provide an earth for the armouring on the SWA 2 core?

 

[Toneyz]

From looking at the photo's could you not just box that part in therefore you could use standard 25mm tails further back than 50mm outside run in plastic trunking (could even semi recess into pebbledash).

 

[Msitekkie]

Good point thank you, my thinking hadn't got that far. I could maybe gland off to a galvanised conduit angle box and use Pratley box connectors instead of the Henley block. Plenty of earth's available in the void I could use.
I could use a Pratley box for that matter but seems an expensive option and a bit overkill.
Other than that I would have to put the Henley block in some other sort of box that I could gland off to.

 

[Msitekkie]

From looking at the photo's could you not just box that part in therefore you could use standard 25mm tails further back than 50mm outside run in plastic trunking (could even semi recess into pebbledash).

The bit I am putting in the wall is in the middle between the void and the outside wall, so I don't quite follow you. If you are suggesting I run it on the surface inside the house, yes I could probably do that, but a bit of a cop out as would be rather unsightly.