Copper Surface Trunking

[Broomstick]

Hi
i have an old stone cottage. I need to do some surface re-wiring but I do not like plastic trunking. Could I use copper piping for the wires as I feel this would make a good feature. Would this be safe.?

 

[trev]

Metal conduit is perfectly safe so as long as it's properly installed I don't see a problem. You may struggle to get fittings for it to get it to fit to boxes

 

[poppypiesdad]

Galvanised not a easy option for that industrial look , or even paint it with copper paint ?

Jamie

 

[AP Electrical]

Metal conduit is perfectly safe so as long as it's properly installed I don't see a problem. You may struggle to get fittings for it to get it to fit to boxes

you can get 15mm tank connectors to connect back boxes but its a right old headache and i think the only way to make look neat is to solder joints rather than compression joints

 

[trev]

you can get 15mm tank connectors to connect back boxes but its a right old headache

Well there's more proof, if any were ever needed, that every day's a school day.
Compression joints would look hideous I agree

 

[Strima]

I think plastic compression joints may look a bit odd...

 

[AP Electrical]

Theres some great paint products about now and i reckon if you did it in white plastic conduit then primed it well you could get a copper affect paint for it look for metal kote paints (think thats the name)

 

[steve50]

and you will need to form the bends as the elbows are to sharp. to pull cable through.

 

[D Skelton]

Have you considered using mineral?

Cables contained within exposed copper but all in one. No need for joins and no need for special bending tools. IMHO it would look way better than using plumbing pipe and joins for electrical equipment!

 

[AP Electrical]

Galvanised not a easy option for that industrial look , or even paint it with copper paint ?

Jamie

sorry missed yours when I posted.....

 

[pjcomp]

Have you considered using mineral?

ANd the latest price of MICC is .... ? And if you don't terminate properly (not a DIYer job) the while lot shorts out. Nice idea, but surely only for deep-pocket specialists.

PJ

 

[D Skelton]

ANd the latest price of MICC is .... ?

Only about £5-6 per meter at the most expensive suppliers. Not exactly a bank breaking amount of money for a little surface wiring.

And if you don't terminate properly (not a DIYer job) the while lot shorts out. Nice idea, but surely only for deep-pocket specialists

For a start, a DIYer shouldn't be touching electrics in the first place and I'd like to think anyone calling themselves an electrician should be able to properly terminate mineral cable. It's not exactly hard is it, just more time consuming than working with other types of cable.

I only mentioned it coz the OP seemed like he wanted a proper and safe job doing that looks the part too. IMHO, mineral is the only way to go

 

[RISElectrical]

MICC or stainless steel conduit maybe?

 

[Des 56]

Hi
i have an old stone cottage. I need to do some surface re-wiring but I do not like plastic trunking. Could I use copper piping for the wires as I feel this would make a good feature. Would this be safe.?

Copper pipes a good feature I am absolutely amazed by that decision,but each to their own I suppose


You would be well advised (in my opinion) to consider mineral as D Skelton suggested
Considerations about poorly terminated ends would only arise if it was done without experience
It would mean paying a spark with the skills,but surely,if aesthetics are that important,then it would be a thousand times better

 

[Silly Sausage]

Copper pipes a good feature I am absolutely amazed by that decision,but each to their own I suppose


You would be well advised (in my opinion) to consider mineral as D Skelton suggested

Make for a good CPC though!

Polished & lacquered mineral would look the part.