Simon asks this question, which concerns an EICR for air conditioning supplies. It has been answered by SELECT (Theme – Regulations and Legislation):
This Q & A is one of thousands posted in our Technical Expertise area, and answered on a daily basis by our Voltimum Experts.
Question: I’ve been asked to do an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) on a commercial installation.
Following a quick look around, I noticed that the air conditioning supply was in SY braided cable and, as far as I understand, this needed to be earthed using the correct SY metal gland - but in this case a plastic gland was fitted.
My question is for both existing and new installations using SY cable. On existing installations using SY cable that has a plastic gland fitted - is this OK?
What would the recommendations be for this - e.g. what Code? Or should I install a metal gland or add an RCD?
On new installations, should metal glands be used or RCDs when using SY cable, also some air conditioning supplies are three- phase, so what is best?
Note that these types of installations are often carried out by air conditioning installers, so do they have to comply with different regulations?
Answer: SY cables are used fairly frequently for this type of installation. Plastic glands can be used; however it is advisable at least to ensure that the braiding is secured to earth on at least one end of the cable run if using a TN earthing system.
On existing installations, when preparing an EICR, providing the equipment is provided with a suitable earth connection via a circuit protective conductor (CPC) in the cable, a Code 3 should suffice.
The manufacturer's information should also be considered.
Air conditioning engineers, when carrying out electrical installations, should also comply with the requirements of BS 7671 - as amended.
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link. Experts from leading organisations provide online answers to your technical questions on a broad range of subjects. Our searchable database of existing Q & As now contains over 3,500 entries; you can browse through them here.