Cable conduit question

[milkloss]

During our h&s visit the only real problem they chose to pick us up on was one or two areas where twin and earth cable wasn’t adequately protected. Some of these are light switches and power points in or near a workshop area. I am looking for the easiest ways to install conduit without too much grief.

One option is slitted flexible conduit (the devils work) and clip on tees where the wires don’t need feeding etc. I appreciate the points will need to be unwired to attach glands etc. Is slitted conduit acceptable mechanical protection when clipped to a wall?

I appreciate this is not the ideal solution but for the time being it will help things slide!

 

[br jones]

Would the white truncking with the clip on top do ?

 

[milkloss]

Would the white truncking with the clip on top do ?

thought about it but the cables go up the wall and does a dive into and runs along a purlin. I feel the best solution would be flexible to make it look half sensible. Might even be solid pvc pipe up the walls with flexi wedges over the ends for the bends.

 

[Goweresque]

Why not install a short length of armoured cable from the switch/socket up to roof level and join to the flex in a suitably high point with a small junction box?

 

[milkloss]

Why not install a short length of armoured cable from the switch/socket up to roof level and join to the flex in a suitably high point with a small junction box?

I take it you’re not the kind of guy that visits the bodgers thread? The horse has bolted on this one! I think I’ll be feeding some slit flexi up it to keep everyone happy........ish!

 

[David.]

Replace the offending runs with SY cable?

 

[milkloss]

Replace the offending runs with SY cable?

Thanks but no, I have a stash of sy and it is work of the devil! That fine braid is a bit fiddly to install and look a nice job, I’d rather 3core swa and an earthing nut any day.

We’re going down the ‘look nice and SHOULD meet regs’ route I think.

 

[Goweresque]

I take it you’re not the kind of guy that visits the bodgers thread? The horse has bolted on this one! I think I’ll be feeding some slit flexi up it to keep everyone happy........ish!

I though my solution was a bodge! And as for my bodging credentials I offer my contribution to said thread:

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index...odges-and-creations.13784/page-69#post-952490

Which I would like to point out is still working perfectly 4 years later

 

[milkloss]

I though my solution was a bodge! And as for my bodging credentials I offer my contribution to said thread:

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index...odges-and-creations.13784/page-69#post-952490

Which I would like to point out is still working perfectly 4 years later

First class effort no doubt! That’s what farmers were invented for.

 

[Lincsman]

Undo wire out of socket, pull off wall (removing clips as it goes), slide a length of rigid conduit up the wire, and rewire, possibly fit a few clamps, that isnt that hard is it?

 

[TheTallGuy]

Or you could just bang some galvanised capping over it!

 

[jamj]

Replace with 'high tough' cable ?
(at least that's what it use to be called).

 

[bravheart]

Replace with 'high tough' cable ?
(at least that's what it use to be called).

Does all the flat grey twin and earth need to be in a conduit and does this high tough cable do away with this need?

 

[TheTallGuy]

Does all the flat grey twin and earth need to be in a conduit and does this high tough cable do away with this need?

Cables should have mechanical protection in locations where damage could occur. HiTuff/RNF cable provides limited mechanical protection & would need to be risk assessed.

 

[milkloss]

Does all the flat grey twin and earth need to be in a conduit and does this high tough cable do away with this need?

yes, needs to be mechanically protected and from uv. Traditionally it goes brittle when exposed to the elements and chemicals but I don’t that’s really the case with modern t&e. I guess the issue is also with termination of the t&e not being particularly secure in case of pulling etc.

I see tough cable mounted to the side of house etc so it’s probably ok but I don’t know about in an industrial environment. Horrible stuff to work with though.

 

[jamj]

Older high tough was terrible to work with but I find newer stuff more a pleasure. Just as easy as t&e and it can be glanded.
Better protection than t&e but not as good as conduit I reckon.

 

[v8willy]

Had the same problem once.
I asked what the problem was & he said the bits dropping down from the roof to switches & sockets needed conduit, "incase you hit them with a loader or the like", so now all sheds have a bit of white plastic conduit to the switches & everyone seems happy, just hope it doesn't damage the bucket if it ever hits it .

 

[simon-0116]

All cables should now have metal fastening to hold cables up, even if in conduit / trunking. Sy is not a recognised bs type cable so shouldn't be used only in short runs such as motor.