What size cable do I need? | Page 4 | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss What size cable do I need? in the Commercial Electrical Advice area at ElectriciansForums.net

I'm not fast tracker. It took me 3 years to get my qual.

I am at the moment on a job connecting up a 11kw 3phase machine which has been moved from one place to another.

I don't believe for a second that you're not a Electrical Trainee but lets say that for arguments sake that you are indeed fully qualified...

Firstly, do you own a regs book?

Secondly, if you do, look at regulation 134.1.1 where it says "Good workmanship by competent persons or persons under their supervision and proper materials shall be used in the erection of the electrical installation".

Competent person (as defined by BS 7671 Part 2) - A person who possesses sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and, where appropriate, injury to him/herself and others.


electricshock, do you believe that you are A. a competent person (given the nature of your question and the type of work it relates to), and B. complying with 134.1.1 if carrying out work that you are not competent to do?
 
The technical specs for the machine says. Total power 75kva. And it also says 22kw power rating. I haven't got the pdf with me.

Also at the moment I can't do ze test as I can't turn of the mains isolater because of other machines that are constantly on.

I will have to book a time when the machines will be off.
 
Thats not a hat!! And if shes told you what's in it is a special water based cream for your bald patch .....

NOW you tell me!!

Mind you, I did have some doubts about it. I looked at it and thought; "there's something about this hat that reminds me of a couple of threads on a leccy forum".
 
What details do I need?

It would seem you have been in business a few yrs now if you have gone down the 3yr's course with apprenticeship some of you threads have a lack of say basic electrical knowledge..
You put a question to us without any info that would help us except the machine power demand and expect and answer when asked for more info we have to babyspoon feed what we require... you should do cable calcs routinely so should instantly realise the info we need.
Domestic commercial and industrial are all governed by the same reg's and calcs ...you seem like you have set up a business without any real time experience and then your finding yourself out of your comfort zone.. let me heed you a warning ..Don't go into the industrial sector without any experience its not as plain as it seems ...

Firstly we need to know:-

What is the machine - has it got associated large inrush current and if so do they have a long run up time.
What is the OCPD you are thinking of using? - this will have influence on the Zs requirements and can mean you require additional earthing or larger supply.
What wiring methods and wiring type (you have now told us)
You say the machine requires 75Kva then say 22kw... are you reading the plate correctly is the 22kw the plated motor size and the 75kw the FLC of the machine.

The fact is you can get all the cable sizing correct and the minute the machine is turned on power goes because you haven't allowed for the current/time curve of a 22kw motor with regards to your front end device.

I would personally get experience with someone with an industrial background for a few yrs before choosing this route ...dont get me wrong its a good route but a dangerous one if your doing no more than dipping your toe in it, this can have costly consequences that will sink any small business if you mess up and from your questioning it is clear your really out of your comfort zone especially with these bigger machines.
I fit machinery usually up to 150kw and knowing what i have learned i would never try to wing it without several yrs experience there are just too many things waiting to trip you up here... then once the machine is powered they always ask you to figure out why part of it don't work thats when your competence will be questioned - saying its powered and thats all you know is one thing getting them up and running and explain why it wouldn't work is when you become invaluable and guaranteed future work.


Take this as good advice and not an attack on your competence you just lack experience but you can't wing it like you can in domestic.
 
It would seem you have been in business a few yrs now if you have gone down the 3yr's course with apprenticeship some of you threads have a lack of say basic electrical knowledge..
You put a question to us without any info that would help us except the machine power demand and expect and answer when asked for more info we have to babyspoon feed what we require... you should do cable calcs routinely so should instantly realise the info we need.
Domestic commercial and industrial are all governed by the same reg's and calcs ...you seem like you have set up a business without any real time experience and then your finding yourself out of your comfort zone.. let me heed you a warning ..Don't go into the industrial sector without any experience its not as plain as it seems ...

Firstly we need to know:-

What is the machine - has it got associated large inrush current and if so do they have a long run up time.
What is the OCPD you are thinking of using? - this will have influence on the Zs requirements and can mean you require additional earthing or larger supply.
What wiring methods and wiring type (you have now told us)
You say the machine requires 75Kva then say 22kw... are you reading the plate correctly is the 22kw the plated motor size and the 75kw the FLC of the machine.

The fact is you can get all the cable sizing correct and the minute the machine is turned on power goes because you haven't allowed for the current/time curve of a 22kw motor with regards to your front end device.

I would personally get experience with someone with an industrial background for a few yrs before choosing this route ...dont get me wrong its a good route but a dangerous one if your doing no more than dipping your toe in it, this can have costly consequences that will sink any small business if you mess up and from your questioning it is clear your really out of your comfort zone especially with these bigger machines.
I fit machinery usually up to 150kw and knowing what i have learned i would never try to wing it without several yrs experience there are just too many things waiting to trip you up here... then once the machine is powered they always ask you to figure out why part of it don't work thats when your competence will be questioned - saying its powered and thats all you know is one thing getting them up and running and explain why it wouldn't work is when you become invaluable and guaranteed future work.

He might not have ever had an apprentaship.

I was under the expression most were 4 years?

2330 lvl 1,2 and 3 would take 3 years
 
Machine is not here yet. I have to go by spec sheet

I normally use sane size cpc as the line current.


This is where experience of what you need to know comes in... if the spec sheet doesn't supply the info you have to ask it, if you don't know what info your looking for in the first place the really are playing a risky game... what is the machine and does it have a 22kw motor on it just might help you if your understand the machines probable duty.
 
Explains that it has a motor then and a large one at that in your experience, i really can't help you any further without spec' the machine myself ..i.e. how the motor is started its on /off duty etc etc and as its not my job ill end my help here but be careful accepting work you have little experience its or it will cost you dearly one day... If your in too deep just ensure your front end the machine with BS88's or an MCCB do your cable calcs for the requested power supply and hope their are no comebacks.
If this is a new machine you may not have to worry about mains transients created by the machine if it has inching option etc it should be designed to dampen supply issues down.
 

Reply to What size cable do I need? in the Commercial Electrical Advice area at ElectriciansForums.net

News and Offers from Sponsors

  • Article
Join us at electronica 2024 in Munich! Since 1964, electronica has been the premier event for technology enthusiasts and industry professionals...
    • Like
Replies
0
Views
373
  • Sticky
  • Article
Good to know thanks, one can never have enough places to source parts from!
Replies
4
Views
939
  • Article
OFFICIAL SPONSORS These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then...
Replies
0
Views
1K

Similar threads

  • Question
Well another week passed and I still don't have a proper answer to where the process is wrong. To reiterate, this is not a question for a real...
Replies
2
Views
97
The total current capacity of the system in amperes is the same as the per-phase rating when referring to a balanced three-phase system. Thus, a...
Replies
4
Views
661

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top