Pulsar Observatory Build - Electrical and Data Requirements

[wxsatuser]

On 07/01/2021 at 21:15, malc-c said:

Hi Paul,

My advice would be to have a couple of electricians give you a quote (when covid restrictions permit) for running any main power to the observatory.  There are certain standards that may need to be followed and the cable may need terminating on its own RCD/ESD at the consumer unit.  Whilst most DIY's would probably use the armoured cable like an external extension cable and lay it on top of the ground it might not be acceptable in the eyes of your household insurance company.   The Armoured cable will need terminating in a suitable IP66 rated box at either end, and then you can run whatever spurs / ring you want.  Unless you are running a few 3kw heaters, normal 2.5mm cross section armoured should be fine.  Again, they would be best place to confirm what you can and cannot do legally / or safely.

You can get external CAT6 cable for network, which can be run above ground.  If you intend to bury it then again, seek advice as there might well be certain requirements such as laying plastic tape identifying what cables are below.  It's not really for you, more for the next person who owns the house and may have builders in... the last thing they want it to come across a cable that they have no idea what it is. 

It's also worth checking out your local planning regulations are.  There are certain regulations regarding the maximum height of an outbuilding within XX meters of a boundary fence etc.  It's quite possible that the observatory doesn't comply or your location isn't applicable, and I'm sure Pulsar will advise you if any of their products require planning permission for a given location. 

 

The bit in green is fine as long as there are no extraneous conductive parts in the obsy.
If you have a metal pier it will normally be in the ground or connected to it, so will be
an extraneous conductive part and will need bonding.

For bonding the cable will need to be at the very minimum 6mm on TN-S and 10mm on TN-C-S.

[malc-c]

8 minutes ago, wxsatuser said:

The bit in green is fine as long as there are no extraneous conductive parts in the obsy.
If you have a metal pier it will normally be in the ground or connected to it, so will be
an extraneous conductive part and will need bonding.

For bonding the cable will need to be at the very minimum 6mm on TN-S and 10mm on TN-C-S.

As I said, best get quotes from a qualified sparks.... The regs are constantly changing and being updated, so what might have been OK 10 years back would not pass inspection now...

[wxsatuser]

That is up to date.

Any extraneous conductive parts in an out building, the same as in your house need bonding.
2.5mm cable has not got a big enough earth conductor for bonding.
2.5mm is fine as long as there are no extraneous conductive parts.

You can use a three core L-N-Earth or a two core and use the armour as earth as long as no extraneous parts.