I may get slated for asking, but I'll ask anyway to settle a difference of opinion. An exterior 4mm2 3 core overhead SWA, was supported by catenary wire over approx 15m between two buildings. Over time however bushes and trees have grown, and now hook/lift the cable in 4 places along its route (to approx the height it enters/exits both buildings), with subsequent cable droops between the lifted points. There's no strain on terminations but the cable is presumably being somewhat compressed/stretched at the hooked points and not supported between those points, possibly allowing stretching. An RCD is upstream of the cable. What code if any would be given if continuity and IR tests ok? There's always the "possibility" of something going wrong with the cable in the future, but if it tests ok can't see more than a C3.
What improvement is required? Does it need an electrician or a tree surgeon?
You may be interested to note that BT replaced a cable that runs across my land a couple of weeks ago. It went through the branches of one of my trees. Problem was that movement had abraded the cable.
Doubtless SWA is tougher than BT's cable, but it wouldn't help if the sheath gets worn away and water gets in. Probably difficult to inspect and testing is unlikely to reveal anything.
SWA is very robust, and in this situation sounds well supported.
The risks IMO are, friction between cable and tree branches wearing through the outer sheath and resulting in the wire rusting away, or the tree coming down in a storm and pulling down or breaking the cable.
I may get slated for asking, but I'll ask anyway to settle a difference of opinion. An exterior 4mm2 3 core overhead SWA, was supported by catenary wire over approx 15m between two buildings. Over time however bushes and trees have grown, and now hook/lift the cable in 4 places along its route (to approx the height it enters/exits both buildings), with subsequent cable droops between the lifted points. There's no strain on terminations but the cable is presumably being somewhat compressed/stretched at the hooked points and not supported between those points, possibly allowing stretching. An RCD is upstream of the cable. What code if any would be given if continuity and IR tests ok? There's always the "possibility" of something going wrong with the cable in the future, but if it tests ok can't see more than a C3.
It is an observation to the owner that the plants will damage the cable over time, and need periodically pruning to prevent this. Not really a regs issue that you can call C! or C2, maybe C3, but yes now they do need to do a bit of gardening as soon as reasonably practical.
I assume the cable has not already been scuffed - if it has that is more serious.
I assume the cable has not already been scuffed - if it has that is more serious.
Mike.
I've only eyeballed it from the ground at present on a quick visit, so I'll have to get in amongst it and have a good rummage about in the bushes to get a good closer look.
