I have been told that "BS 7671 States that the use of metal cable ties is required for cables of certain gauges". Is there anything somewhere like this in the regs?
I have been told that "BS 7671 States that the use of metal cable ties is required for cables of certain gauges"
You've been ill informed! There's no requirement for metal cable ties as such - although some kinds of steel ties would be suitable for meeting the fire resistance requirement in some circumstances, as mrf said. Note that not all steel ties are suitable for the high temperatures likely during a building fire - some common types (perhaps with plastic components in the locking mechanism) have very modest temperature rating and would likely not be suitable. Likewise there's no prohibition on using plastic ties if the cable wouldn't fall if they melted - e.g. they're just used to keep things tidy in a horizontal cable basket.
As for the cable gauge - that's nonsense. The requirement applies equally to all cables (or other kinds of wiring systems) regardless of size.
I have been told that "BS 7671 States that the use of metal cable ties is required for cables of certain gauges"
You've been ill informed! There's no requirement for metal cable ties as such - although some kinds of steel ties would be suitable for meeting the fire resistance requirement in some circumstances, as mrf said. Note that not all steel ties are suitable for the high temperatures likely during a building fire - some common types (perhaps with plastic components in the locking mechanism) have very modest temperature rating and would likely not be suitable. Likewise there's no prohibition on using plastic ties if the cable wouldn't fall if they melted - e.g. they're just used to keep things tidy in a horizontal cable basket.
As for the cable gauge - that's nonsense. The requirement applies equally to all cables (or other kinds of wiring systems) regardless of size.
