3 Phase Socket

[Lectrician]

Missed those pics somehow.

The metering is only 100amp max, so this limits the capacity straightaway.

A 63amp TP outlet could be fed from the MCCB panel board with relative ease, and if you do have several gatherings that would utilise this outlet, then it seems appropriate.

It's a TN-S supply, so exporting the earth and using it outside is not an issue.

 

[cheechm]

Right that sounds good. I'll get the electrician out to quote me. Doesn't look like that MCCB will be cheap.

Thanks

 

[Spark123]

The label on the cutout warns of PME which indicates TN-CS?

 

[Lectrician]

Thats true, although it is an old PILC cable with the earth sweated to the sheath.

umm....

 

[Spark123]

I wondered about that, could be the sheath being earthed back from the cutout?
As it is labelled as PME I'd assume that it is worst case i.e. TN-CS hence not use the earth and drive a stake in.

 

[ColJack]

treat it as either a caravan park install or a temporary installation..? guys? verdict?

either way just provide a 3P+N+E plug, or alternatively 3X 1P+N+E plugs, that way if the caterers blow the breaker, the lights and music don't go off..
obviously you'd need to fuse down to 3 single phase breakers, so I'd install a seperate CU with RCBO's since it's also outdoor electrics..

it's up to the marquee people how they handle the earthing, you're just providing a plug / plugs inside your property..

 

[Lectrician]

There is a lovelly piece in the regs on this now........

 

[cheechm]

Who will know whether it is TN-CS or TN-S?

The marquee company won't have anythign to do with the power as I'm doing lights etc...

And is it the same as earthing a generator? Drive a stake into the ground next to the marquee with the earth attached?

Thanks

 

[ColJack]

well do go on then, don't keep us in suspense ( or make me get up to fetch my copy of the regs.. )

first of all what would you classify it as...
knowing that the intended use is to plug a big tent into, do you classify it as camping / caravaning?
or class it as a circus..?

or neither since it's just another indoor plug in someones house and what they plug into it is not certain?

 

[cheechm]

Its a private party, and the socket is inside the house. So surely when the power is transferred to the marquee via the socket, it is only a temporary installation.

 

[ColJack]

I was trying to make life simple for you.. by placing the onus for distribution and testing to the marquee company..

but since you will be doing the installation yourself ( the outdoor part anyway ) then you become responsible for it's safe intallation and operation..

you'll need sub-distribution boards to supply sockets and lighting ( obviously you can't run them straight off a 63A supply.. ) and unless the catering people are bringing their own truck, then you may have to provide them with 13A sockets or 16A ceeform ones etc, again requiring additional CU's..

these can usually be hired, but may end up cheaper in the long run to buy them if you intend to have regular parties..

all that said, then I'd recomend going the route I suggeted earlier and installing an additional CU and single phase 63A sockets..

 

[cheechm]

Distro and stuff is all sorted. I work for a local hire company who are hiring to me some ruuber box distros for cheap.

1x 63amp sp feed for the dimmers (63amp in)
1x 63amp sp (down to some 13amp/16amp) for the caterers
1x 63amp sp down to 13amp sockets for the sound and other things


Already got that sorted

When you say CU you mean stuff like distro units like these: http://www.rubberbox.co.uk/on-the-shelf/index.php

 

[Spark123]

Wether or not the installation is temporary / permanent, private / public doesn't matter. It still needs to be done correctly.

BS7909:2008 is a Code of Practice for temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposed which covers what you want to do.
Basically TN-CS is a no go unless it is under the supervision of a competent person.

 

[ColJack]

yeah them's the ones..

and thank's for the link, going in my work folder for future reference..

 

[Spark123]

1x 63amp sp feed for the dimmers (63amp in)

How much lighting is there? I can pull 60A on one betapack.