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confused from sutton · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Location: SUTTON

Please can I ask for some advice. Our builders are rewiring our house. The specification asks for all the wires to be run in plastic conduits. This does not seem to be being done. Is this okay or is this a problem. Please could you give me some advice asap

Thank you

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4481 Location: Bath

Only the ones in the wall and any surface cables need to be in conduit.

Anything under wooden floors would be threaded through drilled joists.

confused from sutton · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Location: SUTTON

Hiya

Thanks very much

The wires in the walls are being chased into the brickwork and plastered straight on top. I was getting worried and so the last couple have had plastic fronts placed but the do not seem to be proper conduits rather channels.

What is standard practice and what are the conduits for? Is the reason for the conduits primarily for safety or for ease of changing? Are they a mandatory requirement for vertical and horizontal wires?

Thanks

AlanE · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject:

My thought would be that if the specification called for the cables to be in conduit (by who out of interest?) I would assume that they based their quotation on this requirement and for that reason alone I would insist that the work was carried out to the laid down specification regardless as to whether they are required to comply with relevant regulations.

Otherwise you are being charged for something you are not receiving.

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4481 Location: Bath

If they are in the spec then the flat conduit is the norm, otherwise the capping is used.

Insist on something other than bare wire.

A spec is what the builder and any sub-contractors should be working too and unless you are satisfied with the work then put your foot down early on, and insist they follow the spec.

confused from sutton · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Location: SUTTON

The spec was written by the architect/surveyor who has now left the project. The problem that I have now is that one room is now plastered and papered. I can stop them doing anymore and insist that they run the wires in conduits form now on. Is the room that is nearly finished okay or do we have to redo the wiring? Do we need conduits for both the vertical runs as well as the horizontal runs to the power sockets?

Yours

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4481 Location: Bath

all the ones that are not finished get the conduit or capping to save pulling the wires out, ( a small cost saving off the final bill)

All the ones that are finished and have nothing get him to cut the plaster out and put the capping on.

Any wires that get damaged you will want renewing, and do check after they have been exposed.

And remember as Alan said, if it in the spec they pay to put it right

confused from sutton · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Location: SUTTON

Thanks

i think that is what I suspected but hoped was not the case. Thank you. Can you recommend anybody in my area?

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4481 Location: Bath

confused from sutton · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Location: SUTTON

Have a house which needs a large refurb. We have a builder who is project managing and subcontracting out individual parts of the spec. I am getting worried as they seem to be cutting lots of corners.

The first part of the rewire has been done. The spec specified a ring circuit with horizontal wires to the sockets but there are vertical runs as well. They started out running radial circuits for each room. At this point we stopped them working until they drew out how they would run the ring and where individual wires would run. The front room has been done to the point of lining paper but these wires were definately plastered directly onto the grey wire along the channels cut into the plaster (we have a solid wood block floor). The ones in the hall have been capped but not the ones to the wall lights.

They have also tried to substitute soft wood for hardwood so am not sure whether we get them to continue or get to a certain point and then try and find some one else.

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4481 Location: Bath

Thats as I thought, and is normal practice.

Has the builder priced for the work or is it daywork.

Whatever you need to call a meeting and explain you are not happy with the poor quality and sub-standard work.

At the end of the job the work has to signed off and certificated.

Vince is our resident sparkie and will give you more info when he logs on next.

In the meantime get the meeting set up, and inwardly digest the spec first.

confused from sutton · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 12 Location: SUTTON

Will do. Thnak you so much for your advice. Will be very interested to see what Vince thinks.

Lots of food for thought for me.

Onced again thanks and hope you get a good nights sleep!

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4481 Location: Bath

A bit more food for thought.

When you say one room has been papered, it's generally excepted that new plaster is painted for some time to allow the walls to dry out, about a year I think.

Maybe worth posting something in the builders section for when they look in.

I will ask a friend on Monday.

AlanE · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:09 am Post subject:

vince knight · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject:

The building regs state.

Where a cable is concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of less than 50mm from any surface it must be enclosed in earthed metal conduit(trunking or ducting) or installed either horizontally within 150mm of the top of the wall or partition or vertically within 155mm of the angle formed by 2 walls, or run horizontally or vertically to an accessory or consumer u nit.

Basically, if the cables are run within the width of the switch or socket up, down and side to side or within 150mm or the cieling or corner of the room, then NO protection is required.
If the cables are run diagonally or in anyway outside of these zones then they will need protecting unless they are deeper than 50mm.

Hope that clears that up Laughing

Vince