SWA in drain permissable?

[dksanders]

Hi All,

I've been asked to get a supply for a car park PIR light across the car park entrance from the existing light. The only way across would be by running the SWA cable in a drain that runs across the driveway (see picture).

Is there any reason that I shouldn't do that? I can't think of any regulation of the top of my head that prohibits it.

TIA

 

[dksanders]

It looks like that drain is starting to break up anyway. The cement is cracking around it. Not a good future for the cable. Maybe use it and dig deeper than. But regs say 450mm don't they?

they say 450mm if buried

 

[The Ghost]

not the only way across.

Catenary, pole come to mind.

 

[dksanders]

It looks like that drain is starting to break up anyway. The cement is cracking around it. Not a good future for the cable. Maybe use it and dig deeper than. But regs say 450mm don't they?

they say 450mm if buried

Not deep enough?

I meant the drain is the service

My interpretation of that description is services as being i.e. water (as in pipes), gas, electrical, data, telephone, but certainly not a gulley for water to drain through; am I wrong?

 

[dksanders]

Catenary, pole come to mind.

neither their budget nor planning would allow for the erection of a pole either side of the drive to take the catenary, and it would look pretty awful.

 

[dksanders]

Compacted debris will build up over time, and traffic will compress it into the SWA...sharp gravel, sand, general grit and debris...doesn't look like a great idea...
however, running it in a steel conduit?

Once over the other side, I was going to run the cable in 20mm galvanised conduit, I suppose I could do that in the drain as well.

 

[westward10]

You could probably knock that infill concrete out with a tooth pick then get it refilled with tarmac.

 

[Astolat]

You need a proper duct a minimum of 450mm below surface with warning tape above it. Then run SWA through this duct. If budgets would not stand two poles and a catenary then I can not see that budget will stand a proper duct. Tell customer price for doing a proper job with a duct line dedicated to electrical cable. If he will not pay the price for a proper job then walk away.

 

[dksanders]

You could probably knock that infill concrete out with a tooth pick then get it refilled with tarmac.

that would be outside their budget. It's a bowling club, they want to add a 2nd floodlight to the far end of the car park so the oldies can see their way to their cars in the evening. In their minds it's a case of, "can you just add an extra light...."

 

[Octopus]

It looks like that drain is starting to break up anyway. The cement is cracking around it. Not a good future for the cable. Maybe use it and dig deeper than. But regs say 450mm don't they?

There are no stated depths for SWA in bs7671

 

[123]

that would be outside their budget. It's a bowling club, they want to add a 2nd floodlight to the far end of the car park so the oldies can see their way to their cars in the evening. In their minds it's a case of, "can you just add an extra light...."

If their budget only allows for a bodge job, then don't do it.

I do work for a local golf club who are always crying about money. They have had bodge jobs done in the past, now they are more prepared to wait till they have funds available to do it right.

By the looks of that drainage installation, you may be fighting a losing battle, that looks a poor bit of work.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

There are no stated depths for SWA in bs7671

without getting the big book out it says something along lines of sufficient to prevent damage or such like, which will vary according to each job and location.

 

[westward10]

As a company we did a lot of work for our village hall, my village hall and not the companies. Much of this was done in my own time with the company providing the necessary documentation as a goodwill gesture. I got fed up with seeing money being spent on pointless projects so a line was drawn and I withdrew. Do not undertake this task on the sympathy of we have no money.

 

[Octopus]

without getting the big book out it says something along lines of sufficient to prevent damage or such like, which will vary according to each job and location.

Quite


One big glaring issue not resolved .... AGAIN

 

[123]

Quite


One big glaring issue not resolved .... AGAIN

The BYB/BBB aren't step by step guides. If they had to cover every detail and scenario they would be a lot bigger and cost a lot more.

Installation of SWA in Aqua Channel/Drainage Channel? Hmmm not something I'd consider doing at all.

 

[dksanders]

The BYB/BBB aren't step by step guides. If they had to cover every detail and scenario they would be a lot bigger and cost a lot more.

Installation of SWA in Aqua Channel/Drainage Channel? Hmmm not something I'd consider doing at all.

Interesting, given that an armoured cable would lie in and pass through a concrete channel with cast iron protection above, and given no other alternatives, where do you see the risk/danger?