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External cabling and the issues with EV.

Dom

Good afternoon, first post so go easy please until I get used to the criticism!

I have for the past few months been working in the domestic sector and planning and designing EV installs. On issue that I come come across often is how we run and install our cables, often the charge point is remote from the property or wanted on a garage 10-15 metres away from the house. 

The main issue being clients do not want their garden or mono block dug up and often catenary wiring is not an option. 

What are the collective thoughts on fixing to a wooden structure such as a fence? 

I draw reference to these regulations but could engineer judgement in day be a factor? 

  • wood preservatives may attack the cable sheath (Regulation Group 522.5 refers)
  • timber fencing is unlikely to be sufficiently rigid (Regulation 522.8.5 refers)
  • the life of timber fencing is likely to be less than that of the cable (Regulation 522.8.1 refers)
  • damage sustained by the fence due to the high winds (may present a risk of electric shock)

I believe collaboration with cable manufacturing companies or even the use of conduit some of the above could be mitigated. 

With Ev and the subsequent demand I feel our industry desperately needs to look at new containment solutions or pursue solutions in fulfilling a clients ask. Safely of course!!! 

Are there any thoughts on this?

Thanks all. 

  • I wonder why this thread has been moved from Wiring and the Regulations? It's certainly a question about how to apply BS 7671 ?

  • in reply to gkenyon

    Is this something I may have unwittingly done?

  • in reply to Dom

    Not sure ... it certainly was showing up in the Wiring and The Regulations feed, but then disappeared.

    I know Forum Moderators sometimes move posts, and I guess that may have happened ... but unsure which is why I asked the question.

  • in reply to gkenyon

    Hi Graham, it hasn't been moved. It was originally posted in the Engineering Discussions forum Slight smile  We now have a better audit trail of actions within the community and this was definitely posted here and not moved here by any of the moderators. 

    Now you've highlighted it though, I'll move it over to the Wiring Regs forum Thumbsup tone1

  • in reply to Dom

    What is wrong with running cable on the floor? Am thinking at the bottom of a fence along and not across a footpath or driveway. It doesn't lend itself to every situation, but in actuality, what is wrong with just laying the cable  straight onto the ground? It could be secured at intervals with cleats to keep it in place and if run tightly against the bottom of the fenceline it should not get damaged.

  • in reply to whjohnson

    I cannot argue with that. The supply to the neighbours' gates has done just that for getting on for 20 years and it has not even been chewed by the foxes.

  • in reply to Chris Pearson

    And it could be either the supply to the charger, or the cable from it. perhaps not appropriative for flower beds and places likely to be dug up or covered over, but OK on tarmac or cement. you could even have something a bit like a small speed hump nailed to the floor to protect it across driveways etc.

  • in reply to Lisa Miles

    Thank you, perhaps I've not understood what I was seeing in a feed?

  • If money permits, I would use a horizontal trenching machine to lay a proper cable. This way the flower beds are not disturbed.
    Take caution not to dig into the water lines though.
    EV charger need a good proper ground. Consider lay 3phase cable so in the future you can choose to go for DC fast charger

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