Tails (or rather T&E) behind skirting.

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello all.

About to do a CU change and from the pre works visit it looks like the 16mm T&E from the meter is run 3m to the CU behind the skirting board. No mechanical protection seen. TNS. Ze = 0.28ohms.

This clearly isn't acceptable and I shall advise getting it changed but my question is would you still change the CU? I've never quite seen the logic in not changing it. In this case it would go from a BS3036 board with no RCD to Amd 3 board with RCD protection.

Ps.. 2 more questions.

2. Can 16mm T&E have a 10mm earth (it looks like 10mm and I thought 16mm had a 6mm cpc)?

3 . The gas is bonded in the correct position with 10mm but this goes to a bonding clamp around the supply cable, just above the TNS connection. I've never seen this before and it looks bodgy. Is this acceptable?

Cheers.

 

[Pete999]

Hello all.

About to do a CU change and from the pre works visit it looks like the 16mm T&E from the meter is run 3m to the CU behind the skirting board. No mechanical protection seen. TNS. Ze = 0.28ohms.

This clearly isn't acceptable and I shall advise getting it changed but my question is would you still change the CU? I've never quite seen the logic in not changing it. In this case it would go from a BS3036 board with no RCD to Amd 3 board with RCD protection.

Cheers.

Part of the CU change could require the tails to be changed, so I would inform your customer the work required. in order to to change the CU

 

[Wilko]

Hi - to me the logic is we should not alter something without bringing it up to current standards. Hopefully the Customer will agree .

 

[Pete999]

Hi - to me the logic is we should not alter something without bringing it up to current standards. Hopefully the Customer will agree .

After all the tails from the CU to the meter are the responsibility of the home owner not the DNO

 

[telectrix]

just glue 3m of this to the skirting board.

 

[Risteard]

2. Can 16mm T&E have a 10mm earth (it looks like 10mm and I thought 16mm had a 6mm cpc)?

Does it have "I.S. 201" on the sheath? Old Irish Standard 16mm^2 T&E had a 10mm^2 cpc and old Irish Standard 10mm^2 T&E had a 6mm^2 cpc.

All new I.S. 201 cable has a cpc of equal csa to the live conductors and is also insulated.

 

[Octopus]

TNS the abiatic get out of jail free - 6mm is ok .....

Tin hat on

 

[davesparks]

This clearly isn't acceptable and I shall advise getting it changed but my question is would you still change the CU? I've never quite seen the logic in not changing it. In this case it would go from a BS3036 board with no RCD to Amd 3 board with RCD protection.

.

No I wouldn’t change the CU without putting the tails right.

 

[Pete999]

No I wouldn’t change the CU without putting the tails right.

Me neither,

 

[Dave OCD]

I'd do it as long as an agreement was in place to sort out the supply cable in a sensible timescale with the customer. As HHD says it's still making the installation much safer by only replacing the CU, what reason could there be for putting further nails or screws through an existing fixed skirting board, low risk IMO.

 

[Pete999]

I'd do it as long as an agreement was in place to sort out the supply cable in a sensible timescale with the customer. As HHD says it's still making the installation much safer by only replacing the CU, what reason could there be for putting further nails or screws through an existing fixed skirting board, low risk IMO.

IMO you would not be changing the CU completely without ensuring the Tails are: the right size and installed safely.

 

[dean.diy]

post #10. High risk if occupied by General Public.

 

[Pete999]

post #10. High risk if occupied by General Public.

Be more of a high risk it the tails had been/were damaged, no sorry got to disagree on this, no offence to anyone, but changing a CU using what could possibly be a dangerous tail installation is not on in my book.

 

[sparksburnout]

Be more of a high risk it the tails had been/were damaged, no sorry got to disagree on this, no offence to anyone, but changing a CU using what could possibly be a dangerous tail installation is not on in my book.

But it is no less dangerous because you haven't changed it, is it? Someone could still put a nail through the skirting if it started to come away from the wall, old fuse-box or new CU. Like Dave said, if you get an agreement that it will be sorted, crack on. What about if the customer got electrocuted the next week, when an RCD might have saved him?? You could go round in circles like this for ever, just change it.

 

[Pete999]

But it is no less dangerous because you haven't changed it, is it? Someone could still put a nail through the skirting if it started to come away from the wall, old fuse-box or new CU. Like Dave said, if you get an agreement that it will be sorted, crack on. What about if the customer got electrocuted the next week, when an RCD might have saved him?? You could go round in circles like this for ever, just change it.

Sorry Mate gave you an agree, thinking that you meant change the tails as well, but I don't think you did.