5m tails from meter, and is isolator required?

[gwebstech]

If you can make a boxing with the cables more than 50mm from the surface I can't see any major issues.

im not quite sure what you mean mate?

you mean box them in instead of having them exposed?

 

[sparkwright]

Yes, I thought there was talk about concealing them...

 

[flameport]

well id imagine he takes responsibility for the installation is the gist

Which part?

the design ?
the construction ?
the inspection and testing ?

or some combination of those three things ?

The problem is that if you or someone else installs things which are not compliant, it's then far too late when this person arrives to 'sign off' whatever it is they are taking responsibility for. The only option then would be rip it all out and start again.

That is why all questions relating to this installation must be directed to this person - and not random people on a forum who know nothing about this installation or the circumstances in which it being installed.

 

[sparkwright]

If you discuss the work with your electrician first, and he's happy for you to do the donkey work to his specification (and I'm sure he will be MORE than happy for you to do the donkey work) then it's down to him.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Plus, of course, there is virtually the only legal part of the work (apart from doing the work to ensure safety) of notifying the Local Authority.

If your friend's brother is not registered to do this through one of the schemes, then YOU must notify them before the work commences and satisfy them that the work will be carried to their - LA's - satisfaction.

 

[JohnW2]

Plus, of course, there is virtually the only legal part of the work (apart from doing the work to ensure safety) of notifying the Local Authority.

Indeed - but, interestingly (maybe 'very surprisingly'?), if we are talking about England, and if the tails are to be connected to an existing CU, then I'm not sure by what criterion their replacement would be notifiable work!

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

i mean a certificate or whatever its called, as required by the building inspector. Its a brand new house so everthing needs to be certified

 

[gwebstech]

Which part?

the design ?
the construction ?
the inspection and testing ?

or some combination of those three things ?

The problem is that if you or someone else installs things which are not compliant, it's then far too late when this person arrives to 'sign off' whatever it is they are taking responsibility for. The only option then would be rip it all out and start again.

That is why all questions relating to this installation must be directed to this person - and not random people on a forum who know nothing about this installation or the circumstances in which it being installed.

View attachment 184524

if he signs that form, then i assume hes intelligent enough to know whether he should sign for it all or not. I never said i was installing the tails, i will almost certainly run all the cables around the house on his advice so ive no need to worry about being compliant, he is going to see it all and then he can decide if he will sign it off or not.il

i asked general questions about meter tails, anyone who doesnt know the answers perhaps didnt outght to comment, and seeing as he will def do an inspection at 1st fix stage theres hardly likely to be any need to do any major ripping out. Thanks for the help though

If you discuss the work with your electrician first, and he's happy for you to do the donkey work to his specification (and I'm sure he will be MORE than happy for you to do the donkey work) then it's down to him.

Exactly, im pretty sure he will let me crawl around in the loft, and be in all other inaccessible/dirty places instead of him. Easy money for him.

Plus, of course, there is virtually the only legal part of the work (apart from doing the work to ensure safety) of notifying the Local Authority.

If your friend's brother is not registered to do this through one of the schemes, then YOU must notify them before the work commences and satisfy them that the work will be carried to their - LA's - satisfaction.

Hes fully qualified and registered, he does work for both the council and large car showroom names

Indeed - but, interestingly (maybe 'very surprisingly'?), if we are talking about England, and if the tails are to be connected to an existing CU, then I'm not sure by what criterion their replacement would be notifiable work!

Kind Regards, John

its a new house John, so i assume you meant in a house wired previously?

 

[JohnW2]

its a new house John, so i assume you meant in a house wired previously?

Yes, I missed that. If it's a brand new electrical installation, I would have expected the person who specified and installed the CU to also specify (and install) the tails!

Kind Regards, John

 

[aptsys]

A switchfuse is required if the tails are more than 3m long. An isolator on it's own is not suitable.

As someone else mentioned, this isn't strictly true. It depends entirely on the requirement from the local DNO, but for example UKPN were not concerned about longer than 3m last time I spoke with them. Their suggestion was to use SWA or similar but that's it.

 

[skenk]

yee ha, no wonder the reputaton of the qualty of newbuild houses is so poor... sling them tails in the cavity and around the door, great job!... Why are you asking on here, ask your electrician what is acceptable to them. Sounds like you need SWA for a start.

 

[sparkwright]

As someone else mentioned, this isn't strictly true. It depends entirely on the requirement from the local DNO, but for example UKPN were not concerned about longer than 3m last time I spoke with them. Their suggestion was to use SWA or similar but that's it.

I've got this funny feeling SEB stipulated 3m for tails, but could be 5m under certain conditions, like an upstairs flat, but I could be really wrong about that. Can't remember, it was many years ago.

 

[JohnW2]

I've got this funny feeling SEB stipulated 3m for tails, but could be 5m under certain conditions, like an upstairs flat, but I could be really wrong about that. Can't remember, it was many years ago.

Given that it's so arbitrary (as well as 'daft'), I suppose there's bound to be appreciable variation.

'Daft' because the fuse in the switchfuse 'required' by a DNO will generally be of the same, or similar, rating to the DNO's cutout fuse - so unlikely to be any discrimination (i.e. pot luck as to which would blow first, if both didn't(.

Kind Regards, John