unistrut lighting system

[rockrose]

Hi in a factory with old t8 light fittings fitted and wired on a unistrut system.The job is to replace them with led fittings i suggested removing the unistrut replacing it with 50/50 galv trunking the factory boss wants to leave the unistrut to save time and money and rewire and fit new fittings to the existing unistrut any thoughts

 

[Andy78]

Just a thought, are they singles in the unistrut @rockrose ?

If so then 521.10.1 requires IP4X containment for all non sheathed wiring. Might give you an argument to do a proper job.

 

[Nigel]

That's my whole point, Neil. I presumed the wiring indicated was just that.

Before I done some research I would have insisted in rewiring in FP200 or similar.

However I have just checked an unistrut does conform to BS 61537 that is the Standard for wiring systems so it would appear that unistrut is suitable so long as it is installed to manufacturers specifications.

Every day is a school day.

 

[Nigel]

Just a thought, are they singles in the unistrut @rockrose ?

If so then 521.10.1 requires IP4X containment for all non sheathed wiring. Might give you an argument to do a proper job.

Unistrut would meet that easily.

 

[Andy78]

Unistrut would meet that easily.

I was more thinking of the entire "system" if it is constructed entirely from unistrut. Was thinking of fabricated bands and angles. Still not sure it is singles used in this case either though.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Can get Unistrut without the holes.
Can even get double sided Unistrut without holes.

 

[rockrose]

some photos of unistrut

 

[Pete999]

yea thats what i want to do but the factory boss wants use the unistrut to save money on trunking and time

So the Factory Boss has no concern fro the safety of the Factory workforce, are you a member of any of the CPS schemes? if yes call the help line for advice, me, I would bin the idea of using the Uni strut as containment, if he won't budge on his demands then you may need to walk away.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I really can’t see a problem here?

 

[Cadgey123]

Can you quote any reason why it wouldn’t be used? I don’t see no issue with using it as long as it had the correct lid.

 

[Pete999]

Can you quote any reason why it wouldn’t be used? I don’t see no issue with using it as long as it had the correct lid.

As you said there is no cpc in this circuit, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

 

[Cadgey123]

As you said there is no cpc in this circuit, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Ah yesss I missed this.

Well swap for at least a class II fitting or rewire the circuit if you are going to change all the fittings anyway. Small cost probably.

 

[bomjac]

Half the lighting systems in the North Sea are installed using unistrut and braid armored cables run inside them. Said cables then pop out of the capping at each end of the fitting for glanding.

I don't see an issue using the Unistrut here as a raceway, but I would use a sheathed flex rather than singles. Certainly it's going to be much cheaper than installing trunking for everything and represents a reasonable middle road here.

 

[drzsta]

Don't really understand the issue here? Factory manager has already agreed to rewire the lighting so just use something with sheathing like nyyj or fp.

 

[snowhead]

When I started in 1967 we were using a lighting trunking made by FAL (Fluorescent Applications limited.)
It had exactly the same profile as Unistrut does now, it's advantage then over thin sheet trunking was needing far less supports.
It was available in Zinc /Galv or whatever Unistrut is now and also available powdercoated, to any colour if you bought enough.
It had plastic or metal capping and fixings specifically for hanging fittings.

I beleive FAL trunking developed into Unistrut, but can't find any online reference.

 

[Toneyz]

That looks like lighting trunking to me. You say there is no CPC this may be because the containment is the CPC.