First Domestic Wiring...

[Stuuk1]

Hi all,

Been an electrician for 10 years in industrial/commercial. Also work for 4 years in BMS.

I am buying a new property which I am going to gut and rewire while I can..

Having never wired a domestic premises before I am obviously full of questions which I hope someone can help me with.

My first question (and only question for now) is about what accessories could I install while I'm there chasing out the walls? I am going to be putting in some good quality USB chargers dotted around and some speaker cables. I'm just interested in other ideas...

Thanks!

 

[rich.250]

When you say conduit, are we talking 20mm galv...? Or the smaller plastic stuff I've seen.

Another reason I ask that is because I have so much 20mm galv at my disposal and am tempted to use it in the walls with saddle tops to hold it in. Wouldn't take any longer to install than capping once the walls are chased out!

Bush up the top, and earth the back box it's bushed too...... Removes the need for Rcd protection for buried cables!!

 

[SYKRAPS]

Have a look around a couple of show houses to decide what you want in the first instance and then draw up your plans, its hard to give advice if we don't know what you want yourself.

I love deep back boxes as I get the apprentice to do the chopping in lol

 

[BillyH]

Can't believe what i'm reading on this thread. Ive been a spark for over thirty years and find it hard to see why some think, if you don't put conduit in the walls you're lazy.As for unnecessary chasing, why? I thought it was always advisable to keep damage to the building fabric to a minimum (smashed too many bricks). How can channeling not be classed as a "proper " job when, 99% of domestic jobs are installed this way? Come on guys, its going to get covered in plaster, just get on with it!

 

[trev]

I don't think it's lazy, it just comes down to personal preference.

 

[BillyH]

I don't think it's lazy, it just comes down to personal preference.

others do though

 

[SYKRAPS]

I don't think it's lazy, it just comes down to personal preference.

I agree it is preference and also the way that people are taught, I use both capping and oval but prefer oval if i'm honest.

Lets be honest because everything these days is price driven alot of people you see on sites the emphsis is on speed not quality.

 

[BillyH]

I agree it is preference and also the way that people are taught, I use both capping and oval but prefer oval if i'm honest.

Lets be honest because everything these days is price driven alot of people you see on sites the emphsis is on speed not quality.

channel not quality?

 

[SYKRAPS]

channel not quality?

Yes as I said channel or capping as I call it I use on a daily basis and have no problem with its quality, I just prefer oval because I think and have seen cables are more easily damaged using capping which is nigh on impossible with oval

ie trapped, damaged and nailed cables

 

[Stonsey]

First factor is your budget, if you can't afford anything fancy like remote switching and programmable room scenes,
I'd just go for plastic oval conduit, squeeze the end and it fits in a 20mm knock out.

 

[Guitarist]

I often win jobs, even though I know that I'm not the lowest quote. Within reason, the price isn't usually what customers are after. They want someone in their home who they feel they can trust, who uses good materials, and who gives a good overall service. If you are working for landlords or builders (something which I avoid), then obviously price will be the main criteria.
And yes, I do think that running cables in oval conduit is a better job.

 

[NEZ2490]

some rgb led lighting remote controlled in alcoves underunits are stunning and can change the whole atmhosphere with a switch of colour.!!

Totally agree lighting can make all the differance in an installation and the possiblities are endless check out LED HUT for some outstanding lamps that will fit straight into most downlights GU10 or low voltage although i'd be tempted to go with GU10 if using an LED why have a transformer that can fail if there's no requirement.

 

[Deservices]

But what your talking about is plastic oval conduit?

 

[Guitarist]

But what your talking about is plastic oval conduit?

Yes, just plastic. No mechanical protection, but access to all cabling for future rewires/repairs/alterations.

 

[Paul.M]

The op is an industrial spark, he'll probably use tray or basket lol.

 

[NEZ2490]

The op is an industrial spark, he'll probably use tray or basket lol.

Heh heh Unistrut up the wall from con unit to a 350mm return edge galv tray Nice !