Using suppliers cable

[Jones]

Hello all.

I have a consumer unit which is 5m from the incoming TNCS supply.

I was planning on using 25mm SWA to bridge the gap when I noticed that the supply engineer had left enough cable to reach the CU.

Now the cable is supply type with a copper inner and copper outer which would extend the L and N to the CU at which point the N would become N/E.

This has the same effect as 5m L N and Earth SWA but is it legal.

I would not even have considered it if the chap hadn't left the cable.

Thanks

Miles

 

[ProDave]

My understanding is you do not re combine, then split again, the N and E after the supply head / meter.

You could perhaps use that cable for L and N with a separate 16mm earth, perhaps others will advise if there's anything against that?

The alternative (which would mean you buying some cable) is split concentric. It's very much like the cable you have, but the outer cores are individually sleeved, half as neutral conductors, and half as earth conductors.

Don't forget your fused isolator after the meter to feed your cable.

 

[Jones]

My understanding is you do not re combine, then split again, the N and E after the supply head / meter.You could perhaps use that cable for L and N with a separate 16mm earth, perhaps others will advise if there's anything against that?

The alternative (which would mean you buying some cable) is split concentric. It's very much like the cable you have, but the outer cores are individually sleeved, half as neutral conductors, and half as earth conductors.

Don't forget your fused isolator after the meter to feed your cable.

Pretty much what I thought, didn't mention it but the customer said that the cable was left for this purpose and is reluctant to pay for 5m 25mm SWA.

 

[ianmacd]

Point the customer at the ESQCR 8(4) and 35. If what you are proposing is done, you can be prosecuted.

 

[Andy™]

you cannot use concentric. you cannot combine N&E, and you cant use the outer an N only with seperate earth, since its sheathed, not insulated

 

[ProDave]

you cannot use concentric. you cannot combine N&E' date=' and you cant use the outer an N only with seperate earth, since its sheathed, not insulated[/quote']What about split concentric then? Does the extra insulation on the outer cores count, or is that no longer allowed?

 

[Andy™]

split con has an insulated neutral/uninsulated earth. straight con is uninsulted neutral/earth

 

[kme]

Split con would be perfectly acceptable; Concentric alone is not.

You cannot "re-combine" N&E after the HED - not allowed under ESQCR and I believe, BRB

 

[Sidewinder]

KME

You would be correct in your post

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Point the customer at the ESQCR 8(4) and 35. If what you are proposing is done, you can be prosecuted.

Concur! :Salute

but the customer said that the cable was left for this purpose and is reluctant to pay for 5m 25mm SWA.

If you haven't got a copy of Ian's ref to hand here are the links..

ESQCR 8 (4)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2665/regulation/8/made

wot says:-

(4) A consumer shall not combine the neutral and protective functions in a single conductor in his consumer

 

[Evans Electric]

I'd go with what others have said , you can't extend the PME through the building .

 

[tlangdon12]

Jones,

Is this just loose cable left by the supplier? If so, ProDaves solution might save the customer some money.

 

[kme]

Don`t see the point, TBH - tails if possible; SWA if not - the cost relative to split con is going to be minimal, TBH.

I`d expect the cable left behind to be straight concentric........

 

[Andy™]

I`d expect the cable left behind to be straight concentric........

especially since its TNCS