Conservatory wiring

[akwoody2]

Hello,

so iv been asked to wire a conservatory that's been built, an electrician had stared it but didn't finish it due to health reasons. What I mean by started it he has chased in one twin back box and put one 2.5 t+e in. The other end of the cable is poking out the corner of the room through the mortar. My only guess is he was going to chase along the mortar to the next socket because it's built with exposed brick work, a very nice finish. The ring I will be tapping into is on a RCD, but i can't think of any other way to conceal the cable. I personally have never ran a cable under the mortar and never seen it done. Is it acceptable? If not how will I conceal the cable without damaging the brickwork?

I hope that made sense, if not then please ask me a question and I'll do my best to make it clearer.

thanks

 

[akwoody2]

drill into the house in the corner( through plasterboard, then angle from socket inside to meet holes up then any patching up if you miss

That wouldn't work, I need to get the cable coming out the corner of the wall (through the mortar) to the socket along the wall to the left. there's no plasterboard around. Looking at the regs there isn't anything stopping him going behind the mortar as its on an RCD. Shall I just go with what hes thinking?

 

[shanky887614]

That wouldn't work, I need to get the cable coming out the corner of the wall (through the mortar) to the socket along the wall to the left. there's no plasterboard around. Looking at the regs there isn't anything stopping him going behind the mortar as its on an RCD. Shall I just go with what hes thinking?

on the other side of the wall mate to existing, ignoring that socket for a moment

 

[akwoody2]

on the other side of the wall mate to existing, ignoring that socket for a moment

I see what you getting at now, could be an idea, some precise drilling but worth a go. I guess they are my only options

 

[telectrix]

think for a minute. the only reason you may not install cable in the brickwork joint is that the cement mortar will degrade T/E over time. so bung in some cable that will withstand the mortar.

 

[dingledong]

Yes I was told that, that the lime in the cement will damage the cable but talking to a helpline I was told that I was talking rubbish

 

[telectrix]

they ain't used lime in mortar for donkeys. and it would probably take over 30 years for modern cement to degrade T/E. bang it in, get paid, next job.

 

[shanky887614]

Yes I was told that, that the lime in the cement will damage the cable but talking to a helpline I was told that I was talking rubbish

they dont use lime mortor now thats not to say it isnt added sometimes

 

[Slowhand]

When I was an apprentice I was taught that it is unacceptable to take out mortar joints and bury cables in them. And so I would never do it, but I think it would be quite hard to find regulations that prevent it.

I agree. Too many people use the phrase " It complies with the regs " as an excuse for bad work practice.
" Dig out the mortar, bury the cable, get paid, move on " just doesn't do it for me.
The BGB is a standard we shouldn't fall below. There's no reason why we can't think about a problem and go the extra mile.

 

[atm84]

I wouldn't recommend bridging a cavity due to potential ingress of moisture. Not sure about how badly mortar would degrade the insulation but how about surface mounted galv conduit?

 

[shanky887614]

I wouldn't recommend bridging a cavity due to potential ingress of moisture. Not sure about how badly mortar would degrade the insulation but how about surface mounted galv conduit?

the cavity would be from inside the conservatory to inside the house.

not an external wall in other words

 

[akwoody2]

I agree. Too many people use the phrase " It complies with the regs " as an excuse for bad work practice.
" Dig out the mortar, bury the cable, get paid, move on " just doesn't do it for me.
The BGB is a standard we shouldn't fall below. There's no reason why we can't think about a problem and go the extra mile.

I agree with the standard, but if the "extra mile" could damage the brickwork and create a bad looking job then why do it? If you can take the mortar out and put the cable in, replacing the mortar after. As long as it complies and the workmanship is good, whats the issue?

 

[Slowhand]

I agree with the standard, but if the "extra mile" could damage the brickwork and create a bad looking job then why do it? If you can take the mortar out and put the cable in, replacing the mortar after. As long as it complies and the workmanship is good, whats the issue?

The extra mile doesn't mean damaging the brickwork it means thinking outside the box. I haven't seen this job so l can't offer advice. You mention damaging the brickwork, are you sure you can match the mortar up with the existing stuff? If not it'll stand out like a bulldogs whatsits.

 

[davesparks]

A carefully installed bit of MICC can blend in with brickwork acceptably

 

[akwoody2]

The extra mile doesn't mean damaging the brickwork it means thinking outside the box. I haven't seen this job so l can't offer advice. You mention damaging the brickwork, are you sure you can match the mortar up with the existing stuff? If not it'll stand out like a bulldogs whatsits.

its only about 4 inches of the mortar, i get your point about making it match. The easiest option is to put a bit of stone finish MT2 and surface mount a socket but its a crap job and look terrible considering the rest of the sockets will be flush.

 

[Engineer54]

I wouldn't recommend bridging a cavity due to potential ingress of moisture. Not sure about how badly mortar would degrade the insulation but how about surface mounted galv conduit?

You don't still believe in that old myth do you?? lol!!

So what do you think cavity insulation is going to do??