Alarm cables crossing mains supply cable - shielding?

[converse]

To get all my alarm cables to the control panel (Texecom Prem Elite), I need them cross the mains supply to the eletric meter, at 90 degrees. (The feed to the meter comes out of the floor up against an internal garage wall. If I go above the meter, I'll be close and parallel to more mains. If I go low to the ground under the meter, I'll only have to cross the mains once in close proximity but it'll be away from the CU and everything else.)

What's the best way of reducing any likely interferance/ EMI in the 8-core unshielded cables? Should run them them in metal conduit near the area, or will that potentially cause more issues than using plastic conduit?

 

[sparkymarka]

Be fine ...but if it bothers you put in some plastic flex conduit

 

[aptsys]

Interference for cables running perpendicular to each other will be limited to capacitive coupling. Earthed shielding or separation are the two ways to combat this if it's of concern, but it won't be, so don't worry. The only thing you may want to be aware of is the separation distances specified in BS7671 for LV and signal cables.

 

[Europlex]

Perpendicular is ok, parallel is not. Just keep at least 6ins apart

 

[bernardgreen]

To be blunt...

If the alarm panel is going to be "confused" or damaged by the interference the cables might pick up from being in close proximity to LV ( 230 volt ) cabling then the designer of that alarm panel has not done his ( or her ) job to a good standard.

 

[converse]

Thanks guys, appreciated

 

[Europlex]

I always try to be safe not sorry, seen funny things happen many times over the years, even back to the Exec 1000 days