Sagging Supply Cables

[westie101]

I couldn't give an exact figure as we don't use it in that mode so don't have a need to bend it. The problem with aluminium cores of that size x 4 is that it is difficult to bend in the first place so irrespective of the minimum allowed you often can't get near that in any case

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm not sure I understand that, if you want the cable to remain pretty tight to the wall everywhere.

It's a 3-D 'S' bend, or 2 swept bends in orthogonal planes if you prefer.

Run along one wall, then before the corner bend the cable down, or up, such that it ends up right on the corner after it's gone through 90°, then bend it through 90° on the other wall.

Total change in height is 2 x bend radius.

 

[JohnW2]

I'm not sure I understand that, if you want the cable to remain pretty tight to the wall everywhere.

It's a 3-D 'S' bend, or 2 swept bends in orthogonal planes if you prefer.
Run along one wall, then before the corner bend the cable down, or up, such that it ends up right on the corner after it's gone through 90°, then bend it through 90° on the other wall.
Total change in height is 2 x bend radius.

Thanks. Solid/3-D geometry/trig always was a source of problems for my brain! I think I can picture what you're saying- I'm off to find a bit of bent cardboard, and will let you know if I still have a problem!

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Solid/3-D geometry/trig always was a source of problems for my brain!

Don't ever become an air traffic controller.

 

[JohnW2]

Solid/3-D geometry/trig always was a source of problems for my brain!

Don't ever become an air traffic controller.

Too right. Whilst I have some skills and aptitudes, that is the sort of activity that I wouldn't dare even contemplate. ... and 'imaginary' 3-D surfaces really get my brain spinning! I have, in my time, had to work with 3-D graphs, and that can be bad enough!

Kind Regards, John.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks. Solid/3-D geometry/trig always was a source of problems for my brain! I think I can picture what you're saying- I'm off to find a bit of bent cardboard, and will let you know if I still have a problem!

As you (BAS) will have expected, my piece of bent cardboard has confirmed that you were telling the truth. Thanks again.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[JohnW2]

If they are replacing the service cable they will pretty much treat it as a new service and replace the service head too. Providing a earthing facility is pretty much expected these days.

One thing I forgot to ask. If they do, in the fullness of time (not really sure why, since the existing cable looks fine!) replace the service cables and install a PME service head, do I take it that they will do only that, leaving my system as TT? As I've said, although I'd need to do a fair bit of further thinking (and would undoubtedly canvas opinion here), I think I would be very inclined to stick with my TT, even if a PME earth were avialble to me.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[westie101]

If a PME terminal is made available that is all that would happen, there is no requirement for you to use it, nor will they automatically connect it to your installation.

Though the existing cable looks fine it is more than about 40 years old so will be due to be replaced. (I've never seen it being put up new in the 38 years I've been in the industry)

 

[JohnW2]

If a PME terminal is made available that is all that would happen, there is no requirement for you to use it, nor will they automatically connect it to your installation.

Thanks. That's what I assumed/hoped.

Though the existing cable looks fine it is more than about 40 years old so will be due to be replaced. (I've never seen it being put up new in the 38 years I've been in the industry)

Yes, in some ways that makes sense. However, he seemed to be talking specifically about the supply to my property (which had only come to their attention because I reported the broken clips), despite the fact that several nearby properties have (I presume) the supply cables of the same vintage.

In our pre vious discussion, I didn't really end up with a clear idea of what people thought they would replace the existing (mural) cables (4 x PVC singles) with. Despite what the chap said, the view seemed to be that it would be unlikely that they would use (sheathed) ABC - so I guess the remaining options are to 'replace like with like' or change to 3-core concentric. Are there any other possibilities I'm not aware of?

Kind Regards, John.

 

[westie101]

Overhead service replacement is done depending on the agreement with the regulator regarding funding.
We are actively seeking out and replacing services, other DNO's will probably be replacing only those that come to their attention.

Yes those are the options (unless it was put underground!)

 

[JohnW2]

Overhead service replacement is done depending on the agreement with the regulator regarding funding.
We are actively seeking out and replacing services, other DNO's will probably be replacing only those that come to their attention.

Thankss - interesting answer!

Yes those are the options (unless it was put underground!)

I somewhat doubt they would go underground - routing would not be straightforward. Indeed, as I think I've mentioned in the past, I suspect that is the reason why a very small cluster of properties, incuding mine, at the edge of the village remained on overhead supplies when the majority of the village was changed from overhead to underground a few years ago.

Another partial option, which I did discuss briefly with the DNO chap when he was here, would be to take the overhead supply direct to my property, rather than along the neighbour's walls. He didn't seem to think that 'they' would be likely to do that.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Are there any other possibilities I'm not aware of?

 

[JohnW2]

If they do, in the fullness of time (not really sure why, since the existing cable looks fine!) replace the service cables ....

Yes those are the options (unless it was put underground!)

I somewhat doubt they would go underground - routing would not be straightforward .... Another partial option, which I did discuss briefly with the DNO chap when he was here, would be to take the overhead supply direct to my property, rather than along the neighbour's walls. He didn't seem to think that 'they' would be likely to do that.

Again, I'm pretty impressed by the DNO. Only a few days after I talked about 'in the fullness of time', a man just turned up with a camera and a hammer to obtain information to allow the wire replacement job to be planned. What he said made more sense that the previous chap. In particular, he said that they would not use ABC for mural wiring and thought that they would probably (per above) run overhead ABC direct from the pole to my property. I now wait to 'hear back' from them!

The hammer, by the way, was to determine whether the pole needs replacing - which apparently it doesn't. I do like these high-tech tests

Kind Regards, John.

 

[Martin1972]

Interesting thread.

If I was the ops neighbour, I certainly would not be having his supply clipped or otherwise to my building, unless I was paid a very reasonable rate per annum by the supplier.

What would the supply company do in this instance if I refused to have their property to be stuck on my building?

 

[aptsys]

I don't think you'd be able to do a lot if it was already there.