SWA, sockets, and freedom from RCDs

[Hibbo]

Whilst trying to get to sleep I (unfortunately) began thinking about running an unRCDed radial for my fridgefreezer and boiler (when I renovate my flat).

I have some 4mm^2 SWA 3core kicking about, but not much. I am thinking about using the SWA for the drop from CU to floor as this will be buried in plaster, then connecting it to standard T+E under the floor (either crimped or soldered). In the kitchen it would be direct clipped on the surface of the wall to a socket marked "freezer only", then on to an FCU for the boiler.

Would this be compliant with the regs? I know it says all sockets "other than a marked dedicated outlet" (or something), so would this be OK, or would the freezer need to be hardwired in to an FCU to avoid the RCD?

Cheers and happy xmas!

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Chri5]

And soldered joints should never be used on mains wiring.

Funny then that the general consensus is that the only two acceptable methods of joining cables permanently is either crimp or solder

 

[squarenut9]

A bit of lash up, can't think of a specific reg prohibiting the idea, but I would fail it on the basis of poor design and workmanship.

And soldered joints should never be used on mains wiring.

I dont think i would be too keen on soldered joints especially between 2 different types of cable if thats what is to happen. Too much messing about if you have to sepearte them for testing purposes.

Happy christmas, im having an early day

 

[Taylortwocities]

And soldered joints should never be used on mains wiring.

Have you got jungle fever again? Next time you are in Kinshasa pop into the library and find a copy of BS7671.
You need to read section 526.

To other readers.
Screwed terminations are permitted. They are in the back of every socket and switch.(!)

If the joint is not accessible it can be welded, soldered, brazed or joined using an appropriate compression tool.

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

Using your idea, after 'renovating' your flat you will be left with surface clipped cable in the kitchen, cables with un-necessary joins in them and 4mm armoured to feed just a freezer and boiler.

Partly over-engineered, partly rough as a badgers Rs

Why not use a couple of RCBO's and good workmanship?

I think people sometimes over-estimate just how often circuits supplying freezers or boilers trip out.
Under normal circumstances, i would happily tell you how often the power to my freezer or boiler has failed over the last 10 or 15 years to put this consideration into perspective. However, given its christmas day tomorrow, i don't want to tempt fate and upset Mrs. Faradayski, i understand the kebab shop is closed tomorrow

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[ericmark]

To do a Western role cable joint then solder is OK. However to just use solder without some mechanical joint is not as in time it is likely to become dry and break. Also unless using leaded solder some good fume extraction is required this new lead free solder is lethal the fluxes are extremely bad, OK in machine soldering systems but should be banned for hand soldering.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You said

soldered joints should never be used on mains wiring

That is a 100% incorrect statement, asI have illustrated. Do you wish to retract it, or just ignore my correction?

You are just digging a bigger hole with

Just because the regs say you can does'nt make it acceptable, how do you prove the electrical amd mechanical strength of a soldered joint?

Why did you not say
"how do you prove the electrical and mechanical strength of any joint"



Again 526 enters issues of creep,mechanical stress and temperature rise for soldered joints. I wonder why they go to that detail if soldered joints should never be used?

Do look at 526, its a cracking read.

 

[Hibbo]

Hmmmm, OK, I don't think I'll bother.

Now I'm awake I've realised I'd probably have to hack out quite a trench in the wall to get the SWA in anyway (so if I was determined to get RCD free I may as well just bury the T+E 50mm deep).

I'm not particularly concerned about the kitchen power tripping (the kitchen RFC will be on it's own RCBO), it was just a daft thought about a way to use the SWA.....

Glad I've started a good old fashioned xmas arguement though!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Glad I've started a good old fashioned xmas arguement though!

It doesn't take much on here, season's greetings!

 

[RF Lighting]

Steel conduit is the way to do it!

 

[Lectrician]

How are you intending on terminating the SWA at the consumer unit?






Where is your fixing screw in the box RF? I bet your stock and die has never seen so much use! And 4mm too.....all's good

 

[ban-all-sheds]

A bit of lash up, can't think of a specific reg prohibiting the idea, but I would fail it on the basis of poor design and workmanship.

What do you mean "fail it"?

Under what circumstances would you be given the power to pass or fail it, and with respect to what?

Clearly not with anything to do with BS 7671 compliance, because you can't think of any regulation it contravenes.....

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Have you got jungle fever again? Next time you are in Kinshasa pop into the library and find a copy of BS7671.
You need to read section 526.

You have to remember that holmslaw doesn't see eye to eye with the regulations, and thinks that he has the right, not just to not do what they say he may, if he doesn't like it, but also to refuse to do what they say he must, if he doesn't like it, sometimes trying to justify his position by claiming that he doesn't understand the regulation.

We await clarification, but it's possible that he's now also arrogating the right to forbid other people to comply with regulations he doesn't like.