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General Forum - Wee tip for raggling electrical cable into brickwork - Page 1
posted by Choagy on Monday, 8th August 2011, 22:24
Elite
Just a wee tip, before using a bolster chisel I found that running a stanley knife up and down the plasterwork in line with the channel you hope to cut out will prevent the plaster breaking out beyond the cutline. I tried it today and it worked a treat, stanley blade is dulled but still good enough to cut out a few more grooves in the plasterwork. After a good few runs the chisle splits the plaster to the line and not beyond it
Far tidier than melting a chisel with a limp hammer hoping the plaster comes off in a neat line
Choagy FFCUK The SPL
posted by Jimbo :oȚ on Monday, 8th August 2011, 22:36
Elite Donator
You didn't know to mark plaster before chiselling out Choagy?! 
Oh, and I'm guessing here you did it deep enough to encase the said cable in some form of safe conduit in case of future drilling into said cable and have it instantly earthed....? 
Jimbo : oȚ
"There's that word again... is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull in the future?"
posted by Choagy on Monday, 8th August 2011, 22:43
Elite
Quote:
Jimbo Ț says...
Oh, and I'm guessing here you did it deep enough to encase the said cable in some form of safe conduit in case of future drilling into said cable and have it instantly earthed....?Safety is for buftys
TBN JImbo, I have never really tried it before. I got one of those swan neck channel sds bits but as our neighbour is night shift I thought I would try using a bolster and a few light raps . Worked a treat and the channel is 35mm deep so deep enough for plasterwork. Checked with my big brother (Head electrical honcho on a rig) and he reckoned no protective conduit is needed as the cable runs vertically fronm the floor to the socket
Choagy FFCUK The SPL Safety Is For Buftys
posted by Jimbo :oȚ on Monday, 8th August 2011, 22:46
Elite Donator
Quote:
Choagy says...
protective conduit is needed as the cable runs vertically fronm the floor to the socketWouldn't fancy running through that with a drill bit in the future
Lemme guess, new wall mounted socket for the telly so ya can hide it? 
If not... tut... get a new telly n do it again! LOL
Jimbo : oȚ
"There's that word again... is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull in the future?"
posted by Superted on Tuesday, 9th August 2011, 08:20
Elite
Quote:
he reckoned no protective conduit is needed as the cable runs vertically fronm the floor to the socket
He's right! you only need to use the steel conduit when the cable is out of the designated zones, ie not perfectly horizontal or vertical.
Although tbh the conduit doesn't offer any protection from drilling so new regs say it must be rcd protected too. It was originally made to protect the cables from lime in the plaster/black mortar as it rotted the cable sleeving. Cable sleeving is much better quality now and much less lime in plaster so no longer needed and makes re-plastering work much easier.
One other thing though, but we'll keep it between us, you not allowed to run/modify cable routes unles you are suitibly competent. It doesn't say qualified, just competent! You must also be able to carry out a full test on the circuit after the work and provide a minor works certificate.
Only thing DIY'ers can do now is change like for like, ie replace light switches and fittings, or replace socket fascias. No adding/modifying or removing.
There was a report recently saying that they are trying to stop places like B&Q from selling cable, only places you will be able to get cable will be electrical wholesalers who will only be allowed to sell to trade.
Personally I think it's just an excuse for insurance companies to not pay out if you bugger it up and burn the house down. One idiot with the iq of a dish cloth does something stupid and ruins things for every other decent, 'suitably competent', diy'er out there.
All the best
Gerald.
Cardiff PAT Test shameless website plug
This item was edited on Tuesday, 9th August 2011, 08:34
posted by Macaw2 on Monday, 28th November 2011, 00:36
Harmless
Well if they stop DIYers getting cable, they'll just start buying extension leads and using the flex from that in the wall - which doesn't exactly make things safer now does it?
posted by Rob Shepherd on Monday, 28th November 2011, 12:46
Super Admin
I don't have cable, I have Sky, can I still DIY? 
I'll get my coat...
Editor
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MYREVIEWER.COM
My Flickr Photostream
posted by bandicoot on Monday, 28th November 2011, 23:20
Elite
Quote:
There was a report recently saying that they are trying to stop places like B&Q from selling cable, only places you will be able to get cable will be electrical wholesalers who will only be allowed to sell to trade.
Thats just crazy and would lead to unsafe installations by DIY'ers buying up any type of wiring. At least at present we can go to these stores and ask advice for the correct size and type of cabling, before buying.
I have always done my own electrics, plumbing, etc and that will never change.
Anyway, you can get anything on the 'black economy', say no more, just go to a street corner, and ask are you selling any 2.5mm twin and earth, gov 
