Question about cable ??

[snakeybeaveruk]

I Would be most gratful for some advice and help.
I have a large garage and have just come accross 2 ceiling heater units which are 4000 watts.
There are 2 and i have installed 2 new brakers and the swiches for these fan heaters,i have ordered today a reel of 5 core flex 2.5mm at over £100,i need 5 core as you can turn the heat setting off and just have the fan on.
I have just been told by a spark at work i cant go more than 2 meters with flex ?
I thought i could use this flex as long as its not subject to oil or anything like that.
He said i should use braided cable which i have looked at but it looked hard to work with and dont see how i can get it in the switches as its so stiff.
So i could just do with a bit of info on the cable,if i am not braking any regulation with the flex i shall use it.
Many Thanks
and Happy New Year
Robert

 

[kevnurse]

Does the power cable supplying your garage from the consumer unit go outdoors, or below the damp proof course, en route to the garage?

Happy New Year

 

[snakeybeaveruk]

thanks for the replay,no it does not go outdoors,or below the damp proof thing !
Does that mean its ok and safe to use the flex ?
Thanks
Rob

 

[Maxxy]

Is there any risk of damage to the cable?
How long is the cable run?
What size breakers did you install?
Has the garage got the power to run both of them?

 

[kevnurse]

You said that you have bought 2 new breakers. What size and type are they? Where is the consumer unit and how far is it from the heaters?

 

[securespark]

As long as the cable is suited in terms of volt drop & current carrying capacity, it is acceptable by BS7671 to use flexible cable as fixed wiring.

Some organisations have a rule (mine included) that you should not exceed 2m in flex, but that's not regulation.

 

[Steve]

As long as the cable is suited in terms of volt drop & current carrying capacity, it is acceptable by BS7671 to use flexible cable as fixed wiring.

Out of interest, does this include:

Buried in plaster?
Inside a consumer unit?
Inside a 3ph DB?

In theory, could I wire an entire house in apropriately sized flex, and satisfy BS7671?

Flex usually looks a lot nicer than T&E anyway. Though I have to say, MICC comes a close second.

 

[ricicle]

521-01-04 says flexible cable can be used for fixed wiring only where the relevant provisions of the regulations are met