Wiring regs 18th edition changes

[John Rumm]

I have added a summary of some of the changes in the 18th edition here:

(not exhaustive - just a quick flick through!)

[Tim Watts]

"So cables supported in plastic trunking or in plastic conduit will also need additional metal clips."

How does that work with conduit?

[spuorgelgoog]

bent nail over the conduit

Owain

[Steve]

Saddle clips, I guess.

[Scott]

Clip the conduit then even if the plastic gets melted away at least the cable (or what's left of it) will be held in the general proximity of the wall.

[John Rumm]

The saddle clamps which fix the conduit to the surface can be metal.

[charles]

this applies when the cables are over a doorway or similar exit way. Those trying to exit don't want to fight there way through dangling cables

[Tim Watts]

That does seem to be the only viable method...

To be honest I hate the plastic clips anyway so this would be an improvement.

But overall, I feel the 18th is just looking for things to change without any real justification or cost/benefit.

Yes, RCDs on lights is OK - but was effectively there anyway.

Losing the exception of a non RCD socket is dumb - at least they should have said "you can, but with a non standard (eg Walsall gauge) outlet" - which would have stopped it being blithely used for lawnmowers.

[Tim Watts]

I guess that's the only viable method...

[Tim Watts]

I thought that was already covered.

This is "everywhere".

[Robin]

Metal P clips?

[PeterC]

Is that for cables that could fall across escape routes? Most cables in vertical mini-trunking will just hang close to the wall - and it'll take longer for the trunking to melt - that on a ceiling is in the worst place.

As for RCD on lighting circuits: great - get a shock from a mains tool, lights go off, fall off stepladder! Separate RCDs/RCBOs would be OK, so long as the whole board doesn't go off.

No unprotected sockets: there goes the freezer!

[tabbypurr]

I suppose it's at least still legal to plug in an isolating transformer, which has much the same effect by de-RCDing the supply to the freezer. It does all seem rather questionable.

NT

[Mike Clarke]

That's why I put in a dedicated RCDBO protected circuit for the freezer when we refitted the kitchen.

[Scott]

I don't think Walsall Gauge is a concept that is well understood by the public. I have a Schuko socket in my utility room and a lot of people don't know that that is.

All that would happen is that someone would put an adaptor on eBay to allow standard plugs to fit non-standard sockets. Or people would swap it over for something more useful. Is the distance between the screws also non-standard to prevent this?

[Terry Casey]

Well, they already exist for Schuko to 13A and widely available!

[John Rumm]

It for all cables in any location now...

This is why even on basic installations to share out circuits between more than one RCD such that you don't kill lighting in the same area as the sockets etc.

"whole house" RCDs went out with the 16th edition.

Dedicated RCBO.

[The Natural Philosopher]

got one on the ferry to france

[Scott]

This is true. There is no limit to the ingenuity of mankind.

[PeterC]

Mine has 30mA for the sockets etc. and 100mA for lighting and a few other things. The shed is fed from the 100mA RCD, then 30Ma for the sockets and only a 6A MCB for the lights.

Mine's about 1990, so 16th., I assume.

Yes, I like the principle of RCBOs but that would need some rewiring and the board probably wouldn't take them.