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.?

 

[Adam W]

I was thinking of MI as well. If the customer can afford to be picky about the look they can afford MI. The advantages being MI is a 'recognised' wiring method as opposed to using plumbing pipe as conduit, and it's going to be much easier and neater to dress around corners, irregular angles etc.

 

[telectrix]

yep, MICC with copper p clips. dog's nuts.

 

[Broomstick]

Please tell me what do you mean by mineral ? What would I look for on line?

Make for a good CPC though!

Polished & lacquered mineral would look the part.

 

[trev]

Please tell me what do you mean by mineral ? What would I look for on line?

Google MICC

 

[telectrix]

commonly known as pyro cable. it's got it's own copper sheath/outer covering. you can get it also with orange plastic coating, but you don't want that!.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Here's some being terminated, not a job for an amateur!
It would be about 8mm diameter for your use.

 

[Guest55]

Its fairly certain that the OP isnt going to use a cable type that he doesnt know how to terminate.
And a £6 a metre pyro will be the most expensive option.
Go for the copper pipe install is what i say , nice to see a bit of imagination.

 

[Adam W]

nice to see a bit of imagination.

I disagree. I feel 'a bit of imagination' is the hallmark of the DIYer, like running shed supplies in T&E in hose pipe.

 

[benji]

read somewere conduit in HOUSE OF COMMONS is copper

 

[Guest55]

I disagree. I feel 'a bit of imagination' is the hallmark of the DIYer, like running shed supplies in T&E in hose pipe.

Er , ok.
Can a skilled tradesman use their imagination without being labelled a diy'er ?
bit of a daft statement tbh.

:-/

 

[telectrix]

and make sure the copper pipe is earthed.

 

[Adam W]

Er , ok.
Can a skilled tradesman use their imagination without being labelled a diy'er ?
bit of a daft statement tbh.

:-/

It's not a 'bit of a daft statement' at all. Firstly I presented it as my opinion rather than a statement of fact, and secondly ingenious solutions to otherwise simple electrical jobs are what DIYers tend to do. There's no need to leave the next electrician scratching his head trying to figure out what's been lashed together because the previous installer fancied being a bit different, eg why would you use plumbing pipe when there is a perfectly good solution available?
You might be able to run the pipes around the property, you might be able to get them to fit in the boxes, but how do you add inspection bends in accordance with the regs? Would you try making your own couplers, or solder the ends together like a plumber?
Then you've got the problems associated with having done something nobody's expecting, like when it comes to altering a circuit - the electrician will be looking for something which looks like electrical wiring, not plumbing. Likewise if the central heating needs replacing and the plumber tells his apprentice to 'rip out all the pipework'.

So I do think it's better to install circuits 'by the book' - letting your imagination run wild seems to be asking for trouble.

 

[Des 56]

Ok If its going to be copper pipe,he may as well try polishing the t--d, so to speak
At least use mini bore and some singles

 

[Guest55]

It's not a 'bit of a daft statement' at all. Firstly I presented it as my opinion rather than a statement of fact, and secondly ingenious solutions to otherwise simple electrical jobs are what DIYers tend to do. There's no need to leave the next electrician scratching his head trying to figure out what's been lashed together because the previous installer fancied being a bit different, eg why would you use plumbing pipe when there is a perfectly good solution available?
You might be able to run the pipes around the property, you might be able to get them to fit in the boxes, but how do you add inspection bends in accordance with the regs? Would you try making your own couplers, or solder the ends together like a plumber?
Then you've got the problems associated with having done something nobody's expecting, like when it comes to altering a circuit - the electrician will be looking for something which looks like electrical wiring, not plumbing. Likewise if the central heating needs replacing and the plumber tells his apprentice to 'rip out all the pipework'.

So I do think it's better to install circuits 'by the book' - letting your imagination run wild seems to be asking for trouble.

Have you any idea how dull and tedious that post was ?
good grief man , write an essay why dont you.

 

[AP Electrical]

Seen two or three runs in 15 mm copper all in one village as it happens not installed by myself though, anyhow if it what's the customer wand then so be it and as it happens it didn't look to bad. Any electrician should be able to figure out what's been done as it only like a steel conduit run, as for inspection bends all the install I'd seen were in cottages as is the op so runs can be kept straight in most cases.