UK Drilled into a light cable.

[NathanD]

I have stupidly managed to drill into a light switch cable. I’m trying to keep cost down as much as I can. Would chasing them wall out ready help?

 

[buzzlightyear]

the only way is to isolate the circuit and see if you can get at the cable with out damage to any thing else, and post a pic of the cable to see what kind of damage you have done.

 

[NathanD]

the only way is to isolate the circuit and see if you can get at the cable with out damage to any thing else, and post a pic of the cable to see what kind of damage you have done.

the only way is to isolate the circuit and see if you can get at the cable with out damage to any thing else, and post a pic of the cable to see what kind of damage you have done.

I can only see the damage through the holes I have drilled. ( didn’t mention that I was putting up 2 shelves and it’s hit the cable twice
Top and bottom shelf one has caught the edge and the other has gone through the middle

 

[davesparks]

Chasing may not be necessary, if the cable is free to move an electrician may be able to pull a replacement cable in without damaging the wall.

Moving furniture out of the way so that the floor above can be lifted would probably be a great help to the electrician

 

[freddo]

What room is it in? If it is below somewhere accessible such as a loft or a floorboard that can be lifted and the cable is installed in oval tubing or channelling it may be possible to renew the cable without digging out the wall.
Damn, too slow again!

 

[buzzlightyear]

It would be better to get a spark in straight away.

 

[NathanD]

Chasing may not be necessary, if the cable is free to move an electrician may be able to pull a replacement cable in without damaging the wall.

Moving furniture out of the way so that the floor above can be lifted would probably be a great help to the electrician

That’s a great answer. Typically only problem for me Is I had done it on a signal story extension wall ?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Post #6 now.

 

[7029 dave]

Next time use something like this.

 

[NathanD]

That’s a great answer. Typically only problem for me Is I had done it on a signal story extension wall ?

Post #6 now.

Next time use something like this.

I do own something like that and did use it but it said the area was clear. I think I clearly need to invest in a better one
[automerge]1587312884[/automerge]

Post #6 now.

here’s the inside and outside view of the wall
Just noticed the plug for the dishwasher is inline with the holes vertically

 

[pc1966]

Next time use something like this.

Anyone found one that works? A friend of mine has that model and it was useless, as the OP found out the expensive way!

 

[7029 dave]

Anyone found one that works? A friend of mine has that model and it was useless, as the OP found out the expensive way!

I do have this model and have had no problems with it.

 

[pc1966]

Might depend on the situation, I was trying to find stuff behind old lath & plaster and it showed little or no ability to find anything.

 

[rapparee]

Post #6 now.

On a Sunday evening.

Good luck with that

 

[littlespark]

Looking at the photos, there is an upstairs room?
Still might be possible to lift a board, and pull cable out.
Unless you’ve drilled right through and severed the cable. Then you’ll have a bit stuck in there, so digging out is only option.

did it go bang?

 

[SJD]

Looking at the photos, there is an upstairs room?

At first I thought the outside photo is of two storeys, but looking again, I can see guttering half way up the wall, so the extension must be single storey with a flat roof.

Just possibly a (re-fillable) hole in the ceiling will give access to the cable(s) and they'd be loose e.g. under capping or in oval conduit, or even loose under dot/dab plasterboard. Or the cable(s) could be firmly encased in a bonding coat of plaster, having been clipped to the wall.

Would help to know the wall construction and cable installation method before making any holes anywhere.

 

[pirate]

Looking at the outside pic...that's a fine big corkscrew!

 

[pc1966]

Looking at the outside pic...that's a fine big corkscrew!

Well if you always buy your wine in Methuselah-sized bottles it helps

 

[pirate]

Good point right there!
I mean, have you seen the size of Methuselah since she went into isolation...?

 

[Ray Pooley]

I have stupidly managed to drill into a light switch cable. I’m trying to keep cost down as much as I can. Would chasing them wall out ready help?

Buy one of these. Excellent tool. Enables you to trace the wires and metal pipes in the wall. I never drill a hole without it. Can save a lot of grief and shredded nerves. Especially when you're on someone else's property.

Draper 13818 Combined Metal - Cable Voltage - Stud Detector Electrical Tool 798256163562 | eBay

Maximum depth penetration 27mm. A detailed instruction leaflet is enclosed with each tool.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[ApexHE]

Get a sparky. Without digging cables out and pulling new ones I would look at a Quinetic switch to the light. No mess and you can put your shelf up exactly where you drilled. Using these more and more to keep labour costs down. This versus chasing cable and filling is way easier.