Metsec Ip4x Guidance

CABLE MANAGEMENT
CABLE CONTAINMENT COMPLIANCE

Satisfying the Wiring Regulations
can become a cumbersome process
when metallic electrical enclosures
with a protection rating higher
of IP30 are required.
CABLE MANAGEMENT
Metsec provides product solutions to IP4X as

standard enabling us to make a positive contribution
to the supply chain by easing lead times, reducing
material costs and supporting a sustainable, safe and
compliant cable management solution.
• Fully accredited wide range of products from Metsec Cable

Management, formerly Metstrut, includes BES 6001.
• Availability and great service are a direct result of
our local manufacturing.
• Quality of our products supports health & safety demands.
• Technical support is drawn from expertise across Metsec
and our parent company.
Ensuring the safe performance of a trunking For example, IP4X specifies that protection
installation in line with legislative demands against a 1.0mm probe is required and that there
comes down to the correct specification is no requirement for the protection from the
for the application in question. For metal ingress of water. Consequently, IP4X may not
cable containment systems designed as of be watertight but it protects the cabling from
2012, the first amendment to BS7671: 2008 ingress of debris or wire – or generally foreign
“Requirements for electrical installations” objects that could all compromise the safety of
demands that all single insulated, non-sheathed the cabling within - tested with a 1mm diameter
cables be contained in an enclosure that meets probe that will not penetrate any trunking.
either IP4X or IPXXD rating. In accordance with
BS EN 60529:1992, both ratings aim to provide
In the case of IPXXD, by contrast, the gap
a specific degree of mechanical protection
resulting from adjoining trunking need not be
from the ingress of solid objects to prevent the
protected from solid particle or liquid ingress
disturbance of contained, unsheathed cables
altogether. Solely the letter ‘D’ appended to
and potential short circuits, but they also serve
the code indicates that protection be provided
to protect installers and service engineers from
against access to hazardous parts with wire. Even
electrical accidents through unintended ingress
though physical contact may not be allowed to
of wire – a precautionary measure IP30 does
hazardous parts enclosed in the trunking during
not incorporate.
tests, the 1mm diameter probe shows that an
IPXXD rated system remains penetrable to the
It is important to note that the two ingress degree of wire.
protection (IP) ratings IP4X and IPXXD are
not equally robust. The crux lies in the
This goes to show that IPXXD as a protection
alphanumerical IP code, which classifies the
rating does not make the same robust provision
dust-resistance and waterproofing of cable
as IP4X, so the specification and installation of a
management trunking and containment systems.
system that complies with IP4X is a more reliable
The numerals refer to the level of protection
approach. To date, however, available solutions
needed against the ingress of solid objects and
that achieve IP4X compliance have been limited
water. Such protection is indicated by the first
to bespoke cable enclosures. These involve
and second numeral respectively. It is worth
specially designed lengths and accessories that,
considering, however, that the use of ‘X’ in any
more often than not, account for additional cost
protection rating indicates that, for the range of
and command a longer lead time, stretching the
products covered, protection is not required.
contractor’s installation programme because
the required accessories and fittings are not requirements of the Wiring Regulations in the
available from distributors as standard stock. most robust way. Therefore those responsible
for the specification and installation of cable
The latest developments in the cable
containment solutions should look to IP4X over
management market, however, may change the
IPXXD as the standard for best practice.
picture for specifiers, offering a more practical
and, importantly, more economical route to
IP4X compliance. Cable enclosures are seeing Manufacturers can support this process
an addition to existing bespoke containment by making available products that effect
solutions in the form of standard trunking that IP4X compliance alongside ordinary cable
uses off the shelf clips to deliver IP4X protection. management products in their range, with no
While additional accessories are still required special lead times, so M&E contractors can
to enable the use of these clips in the bends expect an IP4X compliant solution to arrive
of standard trunking, for the straight lengths, with the rest of their order and wholesalers
they can be fitted over the joint between two need not rearrange stockholdings. In doing
lids without the need for tailored accessories. so, a supplier that provides standard product
This ensures that adjoining trunking stays tightly solutions adaptable to IP4X rating is able to make
connected for years after the system installation. a positive contribution to the supply chain by
easing lead times, reducing material costs and
supporting a sustainable, safe and compliant
Where a new cable containment solution is
cable management solution.
required, it is worth considering the benefits
of a reduced lead time from the delivery of
a standard trunking system that comes with Ultimately, optimum specification should be
simple, compatible clips. What is more, the use the M&E contractor’s overall driver. While the
of standard parts ensures that the system retains specification of IP4X may currently apply to
its usual product footprint when it comes to a small number of projects only, advice on
upgrading the trunking to IP4X at a later point in the ideal trunking solution is available from
time. Depending on the trunking in place, some expert manufacturers, to meet the needs of the
existing installations will already be retrofittable. application, comply with the law and work within
the end client’s budget.
By meeting IP4X, specifiers can give installers
and those servicing the installation the
confidence that the system meets the legal
For more information call us on 0121 601 6000
www.metsec.com
voestalpine Metsec PLC

www.metsec.com

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CABLE MANAGEMENT

CABLE CONTAINMENT COMPLIANCE

Metsec provides product solutions to IP4X as

• Fully accredited wide range of products from Metsec Cable

voestalpine Metsec PLC

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