Simple mains question..

[JJ]

I'm running both sides of a 2.5 T&E ring through the same 16x32mm conduit including running one 2.5 T&E unadulterated neatly through the back of the

30mm pattress whilst the other one is cut, stripped, trimmed, and twisted.

I've read through my books and I cannot see anything saying that I cannot do that, but you guys seem to have an encyclopaedia's knowledge of the regs so I thought whilst I'm still early on I'll ask for comments. Better to fix things now then to be shot down by the BCO or P Competant..

Any comments? JJ

- this was on the bottom of a longer rambling post I have now deleted, in the hope of tempting some replies :)

[Tim Watts]

On Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:02:21 -0800, JJ wibbled:

I don't see any issues. Technically, with round conduit you would apply a grouping factor for 2 circuits in one tube - but as 16x32 is likely to leave the cables apart, each one should suffer less as it will effectively have its own bit of conduit/plaster surface to lose heat through and it's the heating/cooling that rates the current carrying capacity of a cable.

[JJ]

good point, the gap required for spaced circuits is something like 1 cable thickness?

so two 2.5 T&E in 32mm ducting taped to top and bottom of the duct pretty much eliminates any grouping effects for the entire run in any case?

the way I see it I'm unlikely to have any problems in any case, but if I use some black nasty tape in a couple of places to ensure the two cables are well separated I can make sure of it. no doubt that will help with my "peace of mind"...

[Tim Watts]

JJ wibbled on Tuesday 26 January 2010 15:30

I wouldn't worry too much - but you could shove a bit of small oval (smallest size should fit) down the big oval between the cables if you wished to guarantee separation.