Q & A of the Day - Must an armoured cable CPC be clipped to the cable?

Question: In order to reduce the size of the sub-main cable, we have installed a separate circuit protective conductor (CPC) with calculations satisfying this. Terminations have been completed as standard.

However, on installation, the contractor has installed the CPC so it is not clipped to the armoured cable as normal practice, and takes a different route.

Is there a standard that requires an armoured cable's CPC to be clipped to the cable?

Is there an issue with running earths in a separate route to the armoured cabling, i.e. different lengths etc?

Answer: If you refer to BS7671:2008, Regulation 543.6.1 states: 'Where overcurrent protective devices are used for fault protection, the protective conductor shall be incorporated in the same wiring system as the live conductors or in their immediate proximity'.

At that point, it would appear that the said installation may not comply with the requirements of this regulation.

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