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!
Hello Chris,
please don't think that I am criticising your very neat work or for installing a socket. Never in a thousand years. And yes Mike, the pros do seem to outweigh the cons regarding the socket in your post.
We have used small SWA cleats on occasion, on others we have used copper MICC/FP200 P clips suitably reformed to match the tail diameter. Good call on the no ferrous saddles.
It's my understanding from both what DNO and metering people have told me, and chatting to other sparks, that the real reason here is to prevent undue strain or movement at the terminations, actual collapse of any reasonable length of meter tail is highly unlikely to endanger anyone or be significant. The only possible case I could see, which is plausible, would be where the head/meter were one side of the front door, and for some reason the CU was located the other side. Then the heated tails may well collapse in the event of a house fire, over a primary egress/access route, and metal clips would be absolutely essential.
