Use of sy cable

[polo1]

Peeps,
Your thoughts please on the use of sy cable in a domestic setting.
Came across an installation today where the supply to an immersion element had been run in sy cable. Overcurrent protection correct and circuit is covered by a 30mA rcd.

I think we are going to be doing an EICR in the property in the next few weeks and couldn’t decide how this might be coded.

What do you think?
TIA

 

[DT1991]

No code if installed correctly. IMO

 

[Zdb]

It does not comply with BS7671

 

[Zdb]

Has the braiding been correctly earthed on the SY cable in question?

 

[Dustydazzler]

SY for an immersion heater is a very odd choice of cable

 

[Strima]

C3 for me as not a suitable cable as this is not its intended use. Also as this is near s heat source the plastic coating will become brittle and crack over time.

 

[westward10]

Has the braiding been correctly earthed on the SY cable in question?

If you are going to earth it how can you be sure it is capable of carrying fault current if required.

 

[Zdb]

If you are going to earth it how can you be sure it is capable of carrying fault current if required.

IMO the braiding must be earthed but not used as an earth! I don't know its capability of carrying the fault current as not enough information has been provided.

 

[westward10]

IMO the braiding must be earthed but not used as an earth! I don't know its capability of carrying the fault current as not enough information has been provided.

Why are you earthing it. No it can't be used as a cpc but connecting it to earth leaves the possibility it could be subjected to fault current and if this is the case you must be satisfied it can carry the fault current.

 

[SparkySy]

I went to a farm with all the out buildings wired in SY not so long ago. Apparently done by a full NIC contractor. I didn't bother to argue with the farmer but it was rubbish none of the screens were earthed just cut off and taped up through stuffing glands.
What a waste of time and money when there are much better spec cables that can be used!

 

[StephenRowley]

Posted in error

 

[Dustydazzler]

I went to a farm with all the out buildings wired in SY not so long ago. Apparently done by a full NIC contractor. I didn't bother to argue with the farmer but it was rubbish none of the screens were earthed just cut off and taped up through stuffing glands.
What a waste of time and money when there are much better spec cables that can be used!

You would be amazed by the amount of ‘electricians’ who just cut off the braiding

 

[Zdb]

Why are you earthing it. No it can't be used as a cpc but connecting it to earth leaves the possibility it could be subjected to fault current and if this is the case you must be satisfied it can carry the fault current.

But on the other hand, not earthing it could cause it to become live if damaged?

 

[davesparks]

Why are you earthing it. No it can't be used as a cpc but connecting it to earth leaves the possibility it could be subjected to fault current and if this is the case you must be satisfied it can carry the fault current.

Not connecting it to earth will lead to capcitively coupled voltages appearing on the braid.

 

[westward10]

But on the other hand, not earthing it could cause it to become live if damaged?

In which case it would have to carry fault current.