cables in wall

[still learning.]

hi, i know that the cable has to be 50mm deep in the wall and if not has to be rcd protected but does it also have to be in steel conduit if under 50mm or am i miss interpriting what the books say.
also when re plastering the wall can the cable be plastered over or do they have to have air around them?

 

[Adam W]

No need for metallic conduit or burying over 50mm if the circuit is on an rcd.
When cables are being plastered over best to use capping or oval (plastic) tube to protect against the plasterer's trowel.

 

[Hawk81]

it means that if the cable is not buried at least 50mm in the wall you either must fit an rcd or use steel conduit. Most go for the rcd as it is quicker and easier to install.

 

[still learning.]

can you just move the wire/cb in the cu to the rcd side if there is space

 

[nickblake]

you may be better off using an RCBO , you can move this circuit over to the RCD protected side , but all circuits should now be protected by an RCDunless you are deeper that 50mm or in steel conduit thats earthed , you also have to try and reduce inconvinience when a MCB RCBO trips , hence the new dist boards and circuit lay out sockets up lights down lights up sockets down

 

[Hawk81]

can you just move the wire/cb in the cu to the rcd side if there is space

yes no reason why not. Dont forget to move your neutral to correct bar.

 

[Des 56]

The cable doesn't need to have air around it
It can dissipate heat through plaster or air or insulation or trunking or being part of an swa or any other method

It will do so better with some methods than others
That is a reason why reference methods for different ways of installing have different current carrying capacities