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Regulation 522.8.5 stating that its requirements for the support of cables and conductors are also applicable to consumer unit meter tails.

Simon M
Regulation 522.8.5 stating that its requirements for the support of cables and conductors are also applicable to consumer unit meter tails.


So what types of clips are we to use, metal cleats?

Thoughts...


Regards

Simon
  • 0
    Do people ever run meter tails across the ceiling anyway?
  • 0
    It would seem that most people (including the DNOs and meter installers) don't bother.


    Please don't confuse this with 521.10.202.


    P-clips are good, but I also have some natty little devices which allow one to use a cable tie. Afraid I cannot remember where they came from, but it was an auto-electrical supplier.

    a76da2629ef837ff0cfc571aa40416bb-huge-img_06671.jpg

    Please excuse the somewhat fuzzy photograph - it was taken in poor light with a telephone.
  • 0
    Thanks Chris, makes sense.


    I have my anual Part P asesssment coming up and I was wondering if the assessor would be looking for this.


    Regards

    Simon
  • 0
    But remember - no steel or other ferrous metal around a single conductor - so each steel P clips would have to go around both (or all 4) tails (and probably the earthing conductor too to say within the letter of the regs).

      - Andy.
  • 0
    In most installations, the meter tails are short enough to be considered self supporting. If clips ARE used this is generally in the interests of neatness, rather than being essential. Any failure of such clips in case of fire should not be a danger.
  • 0
    I have observed the use of S.W.A. cleats around short lengths of meter tails, even by the official meter installers/changers. It stops wiggle and the chance of the tails coming loose in the p. poor clamp terminals of main switches or R.C.D.s presumably. It comes to something when we have to secure the meter tails to stop the conductors coming loose in electrical terminals. Bring back the double screw tunnel terminals I say, they were much more reliable at main switches etc.


    Z.
  • 0

    Chris Pearson:

    It would seem that most people (including the DNOs and meter installers) don't bother.


    Please don't confuse this with 521.10.202.


    P-clips are good, but I also have some natty little devices which allow one to use a cable tie. Afraid I cannot remember where they came from, but it was an auto-electrical supplier.

    a76da2629ef837ff0cfc571aa40416bb-huge-img_06671.jpg

    Please excuse the somewhat fuzzy photograph - it was taken in poor light with a telephone.




    Some may argue that the tails that connect the electricity meter to the main switch could be wiggled and make the terminal connections loose if stuff is bashed up against them. This could happen if stuff is stored near to the meter, like brooms, golf bags, vacuum cleaners, bikes or stuffed animals etc. Notice the double socket that encourages the use of that otherwise dedicated electrically sacred area, where bashing may occur.


    Z.

  • 0

    Notice the double socket ..




    Even if nothing is plugged in for normal use it is a good safe place to test earthing is present, L-N polarity is correct and a quick read of an upper limit for Zdb and a lower limit for PSSC for those situations that is required With the main switch off  using  a bit of cunning you can also do a whole site IR from there as well. Many countries recommend at least a single socket as part of the CU assembly for just this reason, along side an accessible earth terminal for wander lead R2 tests  - saves having to do the equivalent of  opening up  the Henley blocks. (and means you can plug in your clip lamp, drill, radio whatever, without trailing leads.)

    I'm in favour.

     


  • 0

    mapj1:




    Notice the double socket ..




    Even if nothing is plugged in for normal use it is a good safe place to test earthing is present, L-N polarity is correct and a quick read of an upper limit for Zdb and a lower limit for PSSC for those situations that is required With the main switch off  using  a bit of cunning you can also do a whole site IR from there as well. Many countries recommend at least a single socket as part of the CU assembly for just this reason, along side an accessible earth terminal for wander lead R2 tests  - saves having to do the equivalent of  opening up  the Henley blocks. (and means you can plug in your clip lamp, drill, radio whatever, without trailing leads.)

    I'm in favour.




    It's what the customer wanted!

  • 0

    mapj1:



    it is a good safe place to test ... L-N polarity is correct



    Or that both the CU and and the socket have been wired with reversed polarity :-)

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