Specifications, regulations for catenary wires...

[PeedOftec]

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Are there any specifications or regulations relating to catenary wires for domestic use?

I need to run some 6mm T&E across 15m to the garage from house.

What would you use to clip the 6mm cable to the wire? Cable ties? Are cable ties UV stabilised? Or those old style flat metal cable clips you slot through and bend over? Does the catenery need to be earthed?

Any advice anybody?
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[PeedOftec]

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PS..... I realise T&E should not be used exposed to UV but this is an existing setup where NO catenary has been used at all!

Making the best of a bad job.
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[Steve]

Then replace the T&E with hituff or split con.

 

[PeedOftec]

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Or dig the drive up and put armoured in... No, I just want to make whats there better than it is.

I'm just a poor Northerner you know... (or maybe just a tight Yorkshireman) LOL
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[Aragorn84]

Surely a few meters of hituf (or even SWA) isnt really a big expense...

 

[PeedOftec]

Surely a few meters of hituf (or even SWA) isnt really a big expense...

Ok, as I'm no electrician, what's hituf and SWA.. I could google it but as you guys are on...

How is Hituf and SWA specified? The same as T&E? ie would I ask for 6mm Hituf?
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[Steve]

hituff has an extra layer of XPLE insulation, making it a little tougher than T&E.

Buy it here:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Hi-Tuf/index.html

SWA is pretty heavy, I wouldnt go hanging it from a cat wire.

Buy it here:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Armoured_SWA/index.html

By the way, although you can use the armour as earth on SWA, plump for 3 core as it gives extra cover for earth, and IIRC, some sizes have insufficient earth braid for single phase circuits.

Split concentric cable is lighter than SWA, it looks like:

Though it isn't as widely available online as SWA. Search google and you will find online retailers.

 

[PeedOftec]

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Cheers Steve, of those cables which do you reckon would be cheapest?

Is the hituf stuff UV stabilised? I guess it still needs a catenery?
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[Steve]

SWA is cheapest of the three, due to its widespread use - Hituff is a relatively new product, and TLC only stock certain sizes. SWA is definitely the best to use, but as I said, I'd have reservations about hanging it off a cat. Can you go underground? SWA does require special terminations, but there are extensive guides online - again, search google.

TLC will deliver to your door the next day. I have bought SWA, and the glands and accessories from them before. Excellent service.

 

[PeedOftec]

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Yes, I noted TLC don't do 6mm HiTuf.

Could probably go round the edge of the driveway with SWA but big trees to go past and would increase length needed from 15m to about 25m

Are your reservations about suspending it due to weight? or is this not UV stabilised either?

Will check out price though.

Thanks again.
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[RF Lighting]

SWA is UV stable, but the steel layer adds quite a bit of weight to the cable, so I wouldn't really want to suspend it either.

 

[Steve]

Ah yes, then theres Pyro, or Mineral Insulated Copper Clad cable. Lightweight and small, and very very durable. However, very difficult to make off and get hold of!

 

[PeedOftec]

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6.0mm 6943X 3 core SWA Steel Armoured Cable
£1.79per M
£84.00per 50M
£160.00per 100M

From TLC
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[PeedOftec]

Ah yes, then theres Pyro, or Mineral Insulated Copper Clad cable. Lightweight and small, and very very durable. However, very difficult to make off and get hold of!

Oh dear, don't confuse me now!! I'm only a simple chap who can't cope with too many options!! LOL
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[RF Lighting]

I think that was Steve's attempt at humour.

It's a specialist cable, and not really suited to your situation at all.