MICC cable

[20pictures]

I have exposed MICC cable running at 110mm above floor level, around my flat, on top of what is a concrete 'skirting'.

During renovation a section was removed (some 4m) & needs replacing.
Am I right in assuming that this cable type MUST be used to comply with safety regulations?

This cable does not seem to be readily available. Any ideas on stockists?

 

[dingbat]

You can get it at any proper electrical wholesalers. The reason the sheds don't stock it is because it requires some expertise and special terminations to maintain its integrity.

But as for regulations, it all depends on what it is being used for. Is it purely being used to supply accessories in your flat, or is it part of a common fire safety installation throughout the premises? (In which case, it has to be asked, what has been the effect on other households of removing your 4m section??)

 

[brown-nought]

Hi,

Quick terse answers/questions sorry.

1) What was the cable used for? What was left at each end of the cable when it was removed? I'm assuming it wasn't a fire or emergency circuit?
2) MICC cable needs special terminating (& tools) and is very sensitive to moisture.
3) Unless its inline with a socket etc cable at 110mm above the floor is not in a valid cable run and would need protection. MICC could have been used here because it has a solid copper sleeve.
4) What is the rest of the flats cabling like is this the only place using MICC?
5) MICC is available electrical factors
Bottom line : if you want to replace with MICC I'd get an electrician to do it - its a lot cheaper than buying the tools and needs to be done 100% right to be safe.

 

[brown-nought]

Dingbat obviously types faster than me - but I think we are saying the same thing

 

[plugwash]

CEF stock micc but its bloody expensive and they only stock it in full rells afaict

if you do use MICC you should get someone who knows what they are going to show you how to terminate the stuff

if its on the surface or in conduit/trunking on the surface then you can use twin and earth anywhere

if its burried and not running along one of the permitted routers then you have to do one of the following

1: bury it 50mm deep (almost never practical)
2: provide it with mechanical protection against penatration by drills nails etc (again not practical)
3: use a cable with a built in earthed covering (MICC or SWA)
4: use earthed metal conduit

swa is generally very thick and hard to bury
conduit is also going to be hard to bury

micc will save you on chaseing but its expensive and hard to get

 

[kendor]

I have exposed MICC cable running at 110mm above floor level, around my flat, on top of what is a concrete 'skirting'.

During renovation a section was removed (some 4m) & needs replacing.
Am I right in assuming that this cable type MUST be used to comply with safety regulations?

This cable does not seem to be readily available. Any ideas on stockists?

This cable is in fact readily available in any electrical wholesaler.
Not knowing the application of the cable you have in situ inso far as it being the only cable to use, criteria such as mechanical protection for instance can allow several different types of cable to be used and it may well boil down to the style/look of it in the end, certainly if in domestic premises.

 

[20pictures]

The cable run was a spur off a ring main to household accessories via sockets, independant of other flats. 1930s block in London, if that makes any difference to regs.

Local electrical supplier says he can get me some but has pointed out the problems of tooling/fitting, which has been mentioned in replies here. Rather than twin & earth he recommended FP200 cable.

Any comments?

 

[plugwash]

fp200 actually sounds a pretty good idea

its round,thin, has a built in earthed metal covering and doesn't require any of the special termination that micc does

sounds like a good choice to me

 

[brown-nought]

The cable run was a spur off a ring main to household accessories via sockets ...

Each spur off ring final circuits can only supply a single/dual gang socket unless they are supplied from a Fused spur.

I'm also a bit confused by

independent of other flats. 1930s block in London, if that makes any difference to regs.

Is this a communal area or within a flat? Hopefully all flats are independent?

FP200 is a fire resistant cable intended primarily for emergency / fire alarm systems. I'm not 100% sure on its suitability along a skirting board outside of conduit ... I think it would be ok as it has a protective earthed sheath.

However I still feel if you have to start using specialised cables in a domestic situation it’s a good idea to recheck your design requirements.

At any rate you need to ensure the cable is sized correctly – MICC cables generally have much smaller conductor CSA. FP200 is more or less similar to PVC cable ratings.

 

[20pictures]

Just to clarify the issue...

The spur did lead to a dual gang socket, connecting to the ring at a single gang socket.

I can only assume the high-spec cable was a safety measure, unexpected in an ex-GLC council flat. I would like to maintain those standards.

Yes, all circuits are independant of the other flats... bit of a red herring that one!

...I'll try the FP200 Flex....