Hi

This has probably been asked  100's of times. LV installation in the roof space. See below is this a good practice or a requirement?

1. Is it a SANS 10142 requirement that power 'single core' cables be installed in conduits, until such times as they connect to the dropper conduits buried in the walls that drop to the socket outlets?

2. Is it a SANS 10142 requirement that lighting 'single core' cables be installed in conduits, until such times as they connect to the dropper conduits buried in the walls that drop to the switches? and the conduits run as close to the light fitting as possible and terminate in a 'junction box' with a connector block to connect to the light fitting cable ie.. spot.

3. Surfix cable, should this be installed in conduit or any form of mechanical protection? or at the very least clipped neatly to avoid accidents.. where used in a lighting 'ring' the joints should be in a junction box with a connector block. ie.. where connecting to spotlights.

4. All cable joints are to be enclosed in a junction box, with the appropriate connector block and taped (insulation tape)

5. LV single cables from solar panels. Should they be in containment?

6. Internet cable (ethernet cable) Should that be in containment?

If you live in an environment where you have the very real potential for rodents to 'nibble' wires in the roof space ie.. squirrels, mice etc.. should all cables in a roof space have to be installed in mechanical protection ie.. conduit or trunking? Requirement or good practice?

All the above questions refer to a roof space installation. I have attached a few pics as well

What is the SANS requirement?

 

Regards

Limpopoboy

 

Surfix conductor doesn't need to be places in conduit. It however should be place in such a way that it cant get easy damaged. All connection must be enclosed. If you have rodents I would rather place everything in conduit, this doesn't mean that it won't get damaged by them. To be 100% sure use Bosal pipe.

Thanks. I agree with the comment on Surfix as you can see from the pics the connections are not enclosed (nor is the Surfix clipped) do you consider the taping of connector blocks enclosed? The conduit for the surfix then is best practice as I said then. No, I don't have rodents but there is a potential for them hence the precautionary measure.

Taping isn't an enclosure. 

All I can say is......JOH!

Reminds me of a Lectrician  (no E) that said the whole roof space is an enclosure after you closed the manhole!🤣  

3 hours ago, Limpopoboy said:

Hi

This has probably been asked  100's of times. LV installation in the roof space. See below is this a good practice or a requirement?

1. Is it a SANS 10142 requirement that power 'single core' cables be installed in conduits, until such times as they connect to the dropper conduits buried in the walls that drop to the socket outlets?

2. Is it a SANS 10142 requirement that lighting 'single core' cables be installed in conduits, until such times as they connect to the dropper conduits buried in the walls that drop to the switches? and the conduits run as close to the light fitting as possible and terminate in a 'junction box' with a connector block to connect to the light fitting cable ie.. spot.

3. Surfix cable, should this be installed in conduit or any form of mechanical protection? or at the very least clipped neatly to avoid accidents.. where used in a lighting 'ring' the joints should be in a junction box with a connector block. ie.. where connecting to spotlights.

4. All cable joints are to be enclosed in a junction box, with the appropriate connector block and taped (insulation tape)

5. LV single cables from solar panels. Should they be in containment?

6. Internet cable (ethernet cable) Should that be in containment?

If you live in an environment where you have the very real potential for rodents to 'nibble' wires in the roof space ie.. squirrels, mice etc.. should all cables in a roof space have to be installed in mechanical protection ie.. conduit or trunking? Requirement or good practice?

All the above questions refer to a roof space installation. I have attached a few pics as well

What is the SANS requirement?

 

Regards

Limpopoboy

 

Down lights needs a termination box with strain relief( compression glands) and so for each and every joint made in any wire, junction box with strain relief.  I will not issue a COC if joints are made with insulation tape. Electricians are suppose to climb into the roof space for checking geyser bonding and for short cuts as above pictures. That is just a horrible lazy job.

GP wire must be protected against mechanical damage in a roof space by either conduit or trunking, joints must be properly made in a junction box with strain relief and the cables jointed together by ferrules crimped onto the cables or soldering and insulated with heat shrink or insulation tape.

Surfix can be used open but must be neatly routed and clipped so that you do not snag on the cable and damage the cable or fall through the ceiling, joints as for GP wire.

Twin and earth is the same as Surfix, joints as per GP wire.

On construction sites and hospitals metal conduit or trunking must be used to enclose all cables.

LV Panel cabling from panels to combiner box? I assume these cables must also be in mechanical containment (trunking and or conduit) to avoid damage? As per Sans code 10142 or the appropriate code for solar installations (domestically).

 

 

Edited November 28, 20232 yr by Limpopoboy

Thanks Amit

Yes, I totally agree with what you have said. I have plenty of experience with rodents and roof spaces, this is what alerted me in the first place when I saw the installation. As far as SANS is concerned 10142-1 is concerned, single-core cables must have mechanical protection and as far as solar is concerned the conduit or trunking needs to be labelled at specific intervals as well.

I have already got them to update the electrical installation in the roof space more or less as per your advice here as it was atrocious before.