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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> SWA in sand or pipe https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1315650095 Message started by CWatters on Sep 10^th, 2011, 11:21am

Title: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by CWatters on Sep 10^th, 2011, 11:21am

Just worked out that it's slightly cheaper to put an SWA cable in Black MDPE water pipe than bury it in a layer of sand. Would that meet/breech any regs? Would obviously use a warning tape above.

Title: Re: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by sparxxxx on Sep 10^th, 2011, 2:31pm

If you had said blue water pipe, I would say bad idea.

But black is one the colours for electrical services, the others are red and orange. So not a problem.

Title: Re: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by thescruff on Sep 10^th, 2011, 4:25pm

Except a water pipe is marked water.

Stupid and dangerous.

Title: Re: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by CWatters on Sep 10^th, 2011, 5:41pm

Guess I'll go with sand then. About £90 worth by the time it's delivered.

Title: Re: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by Lectrician on Sep 10^th, 2011, 5:49pm

Coils of black duct are cheaper than water pipe anyway!

Title: Re: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by CWatters on Sep 10^th, 2011, 6:13pm

Know a good source? I can find 50m of 25mm MDPE black water pipe for £33 inc VAT. Best I've found for electrical duct was nearer £90.

Title: Re: SWA in sand or pipe
Post by Lectrician on Sep 11^th, 2011, 9:12am

Locally we had some 35mm (I think) duct for around £50. Perhaps not cheaper, but not too expensive. I think it came from city drainage.