outdoor supply termination at cu?

[rastan]

hi...ive looked through the forums but cant seem to find the answer.....when using 6mm swa cable from a garage how would the earth (gland) be connected at the house CU end if you have a plastic CU...would the swa cable need to be terminated at a metal box then on to the CU or some other way?....thanks

 

[ricka]

hi,
within the gland kit there is a brass washer with a eyelet on it,you need to attach this under the gland nut as a washer and attach a earth link cable to the earth treminal in the cu,put a ring terminal at one end of the earth link cable and bolt to the eyelet this will give you earth continuity to the cu from the armoured shroud,use a minimumum of 6mm link for this.make sure the armoured shroud wire is connected to the cu earth terminal in the garage ,do an earth resistance test to comfirm continuity
hope it helps.

 

[rastan]

thanks ricka....so as i understand it..it doesnt necesarilly need to go to a metal box first to ensure good termination as ive been informed....

 

[plugwash]

you don't HAVE to use a metal box but cheap plastic consumer units aren't really strong enough for terminating SWA (it can be done but you have to be very carefull to ensure that the cable is fixed in a way that puts no stress on the joint)