Do electrical regulations allow for the use of twin and earth cable between
an isolating switch and fuseboard?
About 15 years ago I had an istallation and which appears thoroughly
professionally carried out -
From meter to isolator - normal tails -
From isolator switch to consumer unit - twin core and earth (like cooker
cable - 16mm??)
If OK, what size cable is appropriate for this normal domestic installation
as I want to move the fuseboard (and change to a split load with RCD type)
to avoid crossing cellar which is occasionally under water!!

tia
Hugh

Hugh wrote:

Do electrical regulations allow for the use of twin and earth cable between
an isolating switch and fuseboard?

Yup. Quite often done if a submain needs to run for a distance. You
could use SWA as well.

From isolator switch to consumer unit - twin core and earth (like cooker
cable - 16mm??)

16mm would be right for a 60A main fuse.

If OK, what size cable is appropriate for this normal domestic installation
as I want to move the fuseboard (and change to a split load with RCD type)
to avoid crossing cellar which is occasionally under water!!

This is after the main fuse I take it? If so what rating is the supply?
(typically 60A or 100A?). Not sure you will find a T&E large enough for
a 100A submain.



--
Cheers,

John.

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John Rumm wrote:
Hugh wrote:

Do electrical regulations allow for the use of twin and earth cable
between an isolating switch and fuseboard?


Yup. Quite often done if a submain needs to run for a distance. You
could use SWA as well.

From isolator switch to consumer unit - twin core and earth (like
cooker cable - 16mm??)


16mm would be right for a 60A main fuse.

If OK, what size cable is appropriate for this normal domestic
installation as I want to move the fuseboard (and change to a split
load with RCD type) to avoid crossing cellar which is occasionally
under water!!


This is after the main fuse I take it? If so what rating is the supply?
(typically 60A or 100A?). Not sure you will find a T&E large enough for
a 100A submain.

You can of course buy proper meter tails by the meter
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...New/index.html

In article ,
"Hugh" writes:
Do electrical regulations allow for the use of twin and earth cable between
an isolating switch and fuseboard?

Yes. Some wiring accessory products might not handle T&E too well,
in particular, getting the cables into separate entry holes without
some length being unsheathed, given the T&E sheath is lost when
you have to separate the cores.

Also, T&E is _very_ much harder to handle than singles of the same
size. I did a run of 16mm² T&E, and getting it to go where you
want, particularly in a confined space, is quite difficult.
Tape over the cut ends, so when it springs back and swipes you
across the face, a piece of sharp copper doesn't slice into your
skin.

Also, for this application, the CPC (earth conductor) probably
isn't large enough. In 16mm², it's 6mm². I don't know what
it is in 25mm², but it might be only 10mm² when you need 16mm².

IME, SWA is more commonly used for such cable runs (but is probably
even harder than T&E to route, and has same issues with cable sheath).

About 15 years ago I had an istallation and which appears thoroughly
professionally carried out -
From meter to isolator - normal tails -
From isolator switch to consumer unit - twin core and earth (like cooker
cable - 16mm??)
If OK, what size cable is appropriate for this normal domestic installation
as I want to move the fuseboard (and change to a split load with RCD type)
to avoid crossing cellar which is occasionally under water!!

Should be 25mm² T&E for a 100A supply, but would have to be
surface mounted. ISTR T&E doesn't come any bigger than 25mm².

--
Andrew Gabriel

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
.. .
In article ,
"Hugh" writes:
Do electrical regulations allow for the use of twin and earth cable
between
an isolating switch and fuseboard?

Yes. Some wiring accessory products might not handle T&E too well,
in particular, getting the cables into separate entry holes without
some length being unsheathed, given the T&E sheath is lost when
you have to separate the cores.

Also, T&E is _very_ much harder to handle than singles of the same
size. I did a run of 16mm² T&E, and getting it to go where you
want, particularly in a confined space, is quite difficult.
Tape over the cut ends, so when it springs back and swipes you
across the face, a piece of sharp copper doesn't slice into your
skin.

Also, for this application, the CPC (earth conductor) probably
isn't large enough. In 16mm², it's 6mm². I don't know what
it is in 25mm², but it might be only 10mm² when you need 16mm².

IME, SWA is more commonly used for such cable runs (but is probably
even harder than T&E to route, and has same issues with cable sheath).

About 15 years ago I had an istallation and which appears thoroughly
professionally carried out -
From meter to isolator - normal tails -
From isolator switch to consumer unit - twin core and earth (like cooker
cable - 16mm??)
If OK, what size cable is appropriate for this normal domestic
installation
as I want to move the fuseboard (and change to a split load with RCD
type)
to avoid crossing cellar which is occasionally under water!!

Should be 25mm² T&E for a 100A supply, but would have to be
surface mounted. ISTR T&E doesn't come any bigger than 25mm².

--
Andrew Gabriel

Thanks all,
I've just had confirmation from a qualified electrician (the one who'll
certificate the work) and he endorsed a lot of what you all said, BUT:
New installations must have meter tails to the fuseboard or armoured cable,
which it must be if the distance is over one metre.
But as I'm just moving the meter can use the 16mm twin and earth - BUT must
add a 16mm earth cable (as was pointed out the integral one is 6mm), and
I'll get the cert.

There's plenty of room to manoeuvre so not a problem bending the cable -
I'll use an MK split load 8way fuseboard, and there's plenty of room inside.

Thanks again.
Hugh