SY cable on EICR again ....

[lozarus]

I think the term is discouraged as it does not fit within BS7671 requirement to use BS standard or harmonised standards as per pg. 100 on site guide. Anyway having seen sy cable used in a few installations, especially outside, I am not convinced of its robustness or suitability especiall externally. I have seen the braid rusted all along the length of the cable it seems it wicks water along the braid.

We also have a length of the stuff on a catenary feeding an isolator for a remote plant room. It's been up a year and the outer clear sheath has gone rock hard and yellow.

This stuffs just a pain in the backside and so much more effort than just doing the job appropriately

Could really do with a real reg by the IET to define the use of non approved cables.

The problem I'm faced with is that the installation is cr*p and not undertaken with appropriate materials - I think we can all agree on that

The issue is its impossible to prove it via a ref

 

[westward10]

I think the term is discouraged as it does not fit within BS7671 requirement to use BS standard or harmonised standards as per pg. 100 on site guide. Anyway having seen sy cable used in a few installations, especially outside, I am not convinced of its robustness or suitability especiall externally. I have seen the braid rusted all along the length of the cable it seems it wicks water along the braid.

Does the OSG quote a Regulation for that.

 

[nicebutdim]

If you are going to earth the braid how are you going to ensure it can carry fault current. BS7671 does not forbid its use it makes no mention of it.

Surely if using a cable with sheathed metallic braid, you'd have to make the argument for or against earthing the braid? If neither argument can be made, is the cable suited to the particular application?

Please note these are questions, not statements.

 

[westward10]

We also have a length of the stuff on a catenary feeding an isolator for a remote plant room. It's been up a year and the outer clear sheath has gone rock hard and yellow.

This stuffs just a pain in the backside and so much more effort than just doing the job appropriately

Could really do with a real reg by the IET to define the use of non approved cables.

The problem I'm faced with is that the installation is cr*p and not undertaken with appropriate materials - I think we can all agree on that

The issue is its impossible to prove it via a ref

All you can really comment on is the degradation of the outside cable, seen this many times with SY.

 

[SparkySy]

I have seen many SY cables with the same very corroded braid, also the outer sheath seriously degraded through I assume UV to the point it was no longer clear and very brittle!

 

[lozarus]

All you can really comment on is the degradation of the outside cable, seen this many times with SY.

Problem is there's hundreds of installations out there like this. It's clearly an inappropriate product for the environment. It shouldn't be this hard for me to prove it.

 

[westward10]

Problem is there's hundreds of installations out there like this. It's clearly an inappropriate product for the environment. It shouldn't be this hard for me to prove it.

I never comment on it aside from where it is used externally some things aren't worth worrying about. I do comment if there are no ferrules fitted where required.

 

[lozarus]

I never comment on it aside from where it is used externally some things aren't worth worrying about. I do comment if there are no ferrules fitted where required.

You're right. Im probably overthinking it. What can I say - passionate about the industry

 

[Fazz711]

Some of the specs on RS Web site say only to be used as control cable. Which is what it was made for due to the screening.
I have this argument all the time and did find a good back up on Wikipedia which states dose not comply with 7671 and only to be used for V less than 50.
Still find some of the te h guys and sparks use it.
I point blank refuse to touch it.

 

[westward10]

Some of the specs on RS Web site say only to be used as control cable. Which is what it was made for due to the screening.
I have this argument all the time and did find a good back up on Wikipedia which states dose not comply with 7671 and only to be used for V less than 50.
Still find some of the te h guys and sparks use it.
I point blank refuse to touch it.

Does Wikipedia say where in BS7671 it states that.

 

[nicebutdim]

Some of the specs on RS Web site say only to be used as control cable. Which is what it was made for due to the screening.
I have this argument all the time and did find a good back up on Wikipedia which states dose not comply with 7671 and only to be used for V less than 50.
Still find some of the te h guys and sparks use it.
I point blank refuse to touch it.

Control cables aren't limited to ELV.

 

[Dave OCD]

I can't see why anyone would want to use the stuff, it's awful - rightly or wrongly whenever I see some I think a bodger has been around.

 

[nicebutdim]

I can't see why anyone would want to use the stuff, it's awful - rightly or wrongly whenever I see some I think a bodger has been around.

It has its place, but I see no argument in favour of widespread use - especially when that widespread use often seems to be inappropriate.

I can never understand why it pops up in the most unlikely of places. Surely in every one of those instances there was something more suitable in the van?

 

[Pretty Mouth]

1.5mm is the minimum permitted size of cable for a power circuit so there is nothing specifically wrong with that being used for a 16A socket radial.

1.0mm minimum now since amendment 2

 

[nicebutdim]

1.0mm minimum now since amendment 2

I'd missed that.