Type of wring

[Jimmyb]

Hello, What are your thought for the use of Twin&earth on farms, its only in the roof space where he wants it due to extra lights, ive always used swa as i was taught it was the only way unless you use conduit, he still wants to use t&e and says the rest of the farm have been done with it a few years back and the previous guy says theres no reason not use it so had a quick look in brb and cant find a reg to quote to him.

Thanks Jimmy

 

[KFH]

Jimmy, I also prefer SWA or conduit for farms, the applicable regulations refer to suitability for the installation and the main issue is Fauna and Flora, can't remember reg No. offhand. Rats and mice to you and me. I have used T&E but only where the little beasties can't get at it, otherwise I run the offending bits in conduit. If using T&E fix it on the underside of beams so that it is more difficult for the little beasties to get at, also this helps prevent the build-up of dust on top of the wire, I have found over an inch of dust in some places, it is an excellent heat insulator. I would say do a risk assessment based on risk of mechanical damage, rats/mice or even squirrels and fire by looking at the usage the roof space is put to and the existing conditions. The final decision is down to you but I would make sure it is RCD protected if only against fire (300mA?).

I hope this helps, good luck
Kevin

 

[Rockingit]

I agree with KFH; Yes, if you read the section 7 relevant to farms/cattle sheds etc, then you could easily end up putting in half a ton of steel just to protect some relatively minor cable - SOMETIMES THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO - but quite often just for a few lights in a storage shed then some T&E clipped underneath the ridge beam or purlins is perfectly acceptable. You just have to exercise your judgement and be prepared to justify it if needs be.

As for the beasties - buy a cat and rent it out as part of the service.

 

[KFH]

You can generally get farm cats for free, and they can mostly feed themselves. They are a bit wild though. But not always effective. Rats are not meant to like high places as there is no water easily accessible but I have found a few that have not read the book. Mice and squirrels get everywhere and generally like PVC.

 

[Rockingit]

I got told once that the reason mice like to knaw on pvc is because the older chemical compositions of the insulation contained a sugar substance, but I've no idea how reliable this is!

 

[Rockingit]

You can generally get farm cats for free, and they can mostly feed themselves. They are a bit wild though. But not always effective.

This is true. A decent air rifle and some patience is far more rewarding!! (but also not very effective, either).

 

[Knobhead]

This is true. A decent air rifle and some patience is far more rewarding!! (but also not very effective, either).

Especially when you have to replace the lamps you’ve shot out!

 

[needasparks]

I think the bullet holes in the roof may be more of a problem. Always a problem with farms and stables deciding the best way to do the job but remember the client likes to sleep just as soundly as you do. (I think i said that the right way round ).