Drilled through conduit

[the_haberdasher]

Hi all,

I drilled 2 6mm holes in my kitchen wall. Midway through the second one I realised I was directly under the spur switch for the fridge (also next to a double socket). Whilst the 2nd hole is not a problem, it looks like the first has gone through the conduit. I don't think I've gone through any wires. Everything is working ok and nothing tripped (I have just had house rewired).

I have been reading about arcing though and wondered if I could have a problem?

I have filled the holes with caulk now. Is there anything to worry about esp in terms of fire risk?

Cheers

 

[wallyanker]

Best thing to do is call an electrician to come in and run relevant tests on that circuit, an IR test will pick up any potential damage you may have caused to the cable.

Thanks

 

[malcolmsanford]

My advice would be call up a couple of local sparks who will come out and test the circuit for you, perhaps you may find one that will nip in on his way home, and do the job for you very very reasonably. If you post your locations ie town or area, I'm sure one of the lads here would be more than willing to do it "for a drink" so to speak.

I would though get it tested, for piece of mind

 

[a1guvner]

Or bite the bullet and expose the area of possible damage then just a bit of filler and paint

 

[lloyd1980]

firstly is it steel tube or is it plastic/PVC?
secondly doesnt matter whether youve filled the holes with caulk, depends whether the cables are damaged?
If the tube was 25mm then there is less chance youve nicked a cable/(s) if 20mm tube then more chance of damage.
you wont have a short (2 bare conductors touching) as nothings tripped.
If you run an insulation resistance test on the conductors this will tell you if there is damage, if as you say its just ben rewired the cables and accessories are brandnew so you should read OL (open line) on each test, if you get a reading or the reading starts to bouce up and down, this would suggest damage to the cct under test,
My recomendation would be to replace the peice of cable if its damaged.
Id give you a price for doing it but am working in afghan atm

good luck with it

 

[the_haberdasher]

Thanks all for your help.

Lloyd the conduit is plastic.

Would the breaker not have tripped if I'd have gone through the cable with my drillbit?

I think I will get someone who knows what they're doing in to run the IR tests, if this will show up any damage. What am I looking at - £20?

 

[lloyd1980]

if the drill was cordless and had no reference to earth then maybe not if youve just nicked the edge of 1 conductor, if the conduit was steel then this would have been earthed and a connection to earth would have been made and tripped something.
in regards to cost depends on the part of the country, further south it will be dearer than up north,
If you were a mate id do it for a pint, If I had plenty on and youd just rung up then Id want 35 quid as a min for coming out, thinking of fuel costs there and back etc, to make it worthwhile.
hope you get it sorted, try not to worry tho, the rcd would trip if its anything serious
peace of mind tho get it checked, dont worry be happy

 

[Paul.M]

You could have nipped/half drilled the line/live or neutral. Everything still works but in time that part of the cable will heat up and burn out.

Post up your area and I'm sure one of us can give it a quick check over for you, have your test certs to hand so we can compare readings.

 

[Paul.M]

LLloyd beat me to it.

Lloyd he's in Hellman, nip round and have a look at it for him LOL. only joking mate, hope your well working over there

 

[lloyd1980]

Paul Im in Kunduz, at the base of the himmilayas, very quiet which is nice, unlike Iraq where we got shelled regularly.
Im coming back to the uk in a couple of weeks,
But after working 84 hour weeks for 3 months, Im looking forward to sipping some cold ones and chilling out rather than testing ccts in a kitchen,
Thanks for thinking of me tho, Ill leave it to a spark in the UK lol

 

[DNS1]

Haberdasher, where are you?

 

[Happyneiller]

Yawn - never heard such a lot of nonsense. Do it for a drink, £20.

I am a registered electrician - I will come to your house and tell you if you have a fault. I will be able to do that because that is my business. I will bring proper calibrated test equipment with me and you will know by the end of my visit if you need any remedial work. I will not do it for a drink or 20 quid. I would charge you £45.00 callout and £25.00 per hour thereafter. Therefore probably £70.00 to tell you that it's fine.

 

[highspark]

You won't get a proper spark out for 20 quid. Saying that I was called out to a fault the other day. All power off. Opened CU Neutral tail had popped out. Put back in tightened up. Price 20 quid. Was there around 4 mins in and out.I don't rip off - end of story. You never know whos in the attic. In this case to test the circuit I'd want around 40 quid. Depending on distance.

 

[BlueToBits]

Yawn - never heard such a lot of nonsense. Do it for a drink, £20.

I am a registered electrician - I will come to your house and tell you if you have a fault. I will be able to do that because that is my business. I will bring proper calibrated test equipment with me and you will know by the end of my visit if you need any remedial work. I will not do it for a drink or 20 quid. I would charge you £45.00 callout and £25.00 per hour thereafter. Therefore probably £70.00 to tell you that it's fine.

I agree. A professional electrician will offer a professional assessment of the damage and offer professional advice. This is a professional service and should be charged accordingly. Would you pay a dentist in alcohol?

The easiest way of dealing with the problem without involving testing (which may not reveal any damage anyhow) is to disconnect both ends of the cable, tie a new length to one end and pull out the other, guiding in the new cable as you go.

 

[highspark]

The easiest way of dealing with the problem without involving testing (which may not reveal any damage anyhow) is to disconnect both ends of the cable, tie a new length to one end and pull out the other, guiding in the new cable as you go.

If the entire cable is indeed in conduit throughout the run.