Main Cable in Industrial Unit

rustyh · 26 Mar 2015

I need to install the support posts for a mezzanine floor in to an industrial unit I have, but one of the posts is about 1 meter away from the where the mains cable enters through the concrete floor.

I am quite on edge about drilling the holes for the anchor bolts incase I hit the main cable. Iwas going to buy one of the DIY Live AC detectors but I have read endless rubbish reviews on them

How deep would such cable be with in the conrete? and is it still possible to drill through chunky armoured cable?

cjard · 26 Mar 2015

I don't think you can safely assume anything with regards to depth, and it's certainly possible to drill the cable (though it should change sound as youre drilling..)

You didnt describe much about your install, but assuming the post is flush with the wall it would be safer to fix the post to the wall rather than the floor

rustyh · 26 Mar 2015

The post is about 10cm from the wall, and I am using 150mm anchor blots (although the anchor part is alot less so only need to drill about 50mm)

If its too risky, I could probably weld up from kind of strut to the wall. I guess a 3 phase supply aint something you want to risk messing with if there are too many unknowns!

Jackrae · 26 Mar 2015

If you consider the diameter of the incoming mains cable and its minimum bending radius you might be able to form a reasonable judgement on how deep it has to be to get it rising straight up out of the concrete floor.

Lectrician · 26 Mar 2015

Jackrae said:
If you consider the diameter of the incoming mains cable and its minimum bending radius you might be able to form a reasonable judgement on how deep it has to be to get it rising straight up out of the concrete floor.

Agreed, and you can likely almost see the direction it is popping off in. If you can't see the direction, and it's chunky, you can assume the bend starts much further down.

Photo?

rustyh · 26 Mar 2015

Thanks guys,

Yes, I can see the end of the bend as it pops out, so can see the direction (right toward the mezzanine post!!

)

Im not at the unit for a few hours so will get a pic up then, and measure the wire diameter

rustyh · 26 Mar 2015

Tell a lie, I have one I took a little while ago

Untitled

rustyh
30 Jan 2015
2

RF Lighting · 26 Mar 2015

You could hire a cable avoidance tool

http://www.hss.com/g/49514/Cable-and-Pipe-Locators-CAT-3.html

Or contact your DNO and explain you need to drill some holes and want to make sure you don't damage their cable. They should come out and locate the cable for you.

Jackrae · 26 Mar 2015

Cable looks as if it could be shallow. Do you actually need to bolt the leg to the floor. There must be lots of mezzanines and pallet racking which is free standing and perfectly stable. If you do require a fixing a bracket to the wall may suffice. DNO will charge for a call-out and then all you might get is a sucking of teeth followed by a "dunno mate, it's up to you"

Chri5 · 26 Mar 2015

Epoxy bond?

You could bond a suitable block to the floor and bolt to that, you might find the framing system that you are using have a floor plate you could bond with bolts welded on ready to take the leg?

westie101 · 26 Mar 2015

This

You could hire a cable avoidance tool

http://www.hss.com/g/49514/Cable-and-Pipe-Locators-CAT-3.html

Or contact your DNO and explain you need to drill some holes and want to make sure you don't damage their cable. They should come out and locate the cable for you.

Also contact the DNO and ask for a copy of the cable records which show the route
These are FREE for this purpose

DNO will charge for a call-out and then all you might get is a sucking of teeth followed by a "dunno mate, it's up to you"

In a word "Rubbish" the DNOs cannot charge for cable avoidance advice - BY LAW. And should give proper advice based on HS (G) 47
(electrical contractors however ....)

Jackrae · 26 Mar 2015

That's great, so Rusty now knows what service to expect from his DNO

333rocky333 · 27 Mar 2015

Rather than going at it with power tools, break out carefully by hand to a known depth, carefull there aint no damp proof membrane, then reconcrete the section, when hard, drill your fixings, safely knowing the areas clear, sounds like you only need go 100mm deep

ricicle · 27 Mar 2015

Are you sure that the post is not going to be in the way of any of the electrical equipment for adequate access/servicing space?

rustyh · 27 Mar 2015

Thanks for all the advice guys, going to take a look at it this weekend

In terms of access to electrical equipment, are there rules to how much room there needs to be.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Main Cable in Industrial Unit

Similar threads