How to have SWA and lighting pendants????

[rocker]

Hello all, I've come a bit unstuck on designing a rewire; basically the place has a problem with rodents, and any wiring in the ceiling voids etc needs to be protected. I've settled on doing this with SWA, but the people want all normal lighting pendants etc throughout, and also it's a big old farmhouse and I can't do too much to it's ceilings etc.... does anyone know how I can get an SWA run terminated into standard light pendants without ANY unprotected cabling being in the ceiling void and without any extra holes/screws etc in the ceiling? I will be bringing the neutrals to the switches by the way, so there will only be one cable going to each pendant.

Ugh!

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Is SWA still not going to be subject to damage from fauna? Would pest control be easier?

I'd just terminate the SWA into conduit boxes fixed into position, with pendants fitted to the boxes.

 

[londonlec]

I'd do it same way as above.
But I'd also be looking at steel conduit.

 

[Electricalserv]

Take SWA to adaptable box. Then twin and earth to light. You'd probably be better with conduit!

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Conduit would always be the best option against the little blighters.

 

[rocker]

I'd prefer galv cond to be honest but I am not allowed to take up many floorboards etc so I need something fairly flexible that I can push around the place. To be honest the whole affair is gving me a headache and I half wish I hadn't bothered.

This place is like a co-op with all people on it, not like straight up hippies but they are still of the opinion that the vermin have just as much right to be here, so extermination doesn't look like an option.

 

[Knobhead]

If needs be you can get extension rings to fit to round conduit boxes to give more depth to go though the ceiling. Or you could use BESSA boxes which are top entry and deeper than a normal stop end box.

 

[Electricalserv]

I'd prefer galv cond to be honest but I am not allowed to take up many floorboards etc so I need something fairly flexible that I can push around the place. To be honest the whole affair is gving me a headache and I half wish I hadn't bothered.

This place is like a co-op with all people on it, not like straight up hippies but they are still of the opinion that the vermin have just as much right to be here, so extermination doesn't look like an option.

Your not allowed to take floor boards up? Thats like saying to a bricklayer your not allowed to touch any bricks!

 

[rocker]

I know it's a nightmare.

OK I like the galv box idea, but the thing is wherever I've come across pendants into galv boxes, obviously the boxes are held in place by.... well, galv. If it's just cleated SWA, the box isn't going to be held in place except for the comression between the box and the pendant on the ceiling, if you knw what I mean. Willthis be sufficient?

 

[Sparky Ninja]

What about flexible conduit/kopex? Is that any good against rats? Maybe that with some multicore?

TBH, if you are getting a poor amount of co-operation from them then just make an effort and leave it at that. The best install is in steel conduit but if there is limitation then so be it.

 

[rocker]

I don't know if kopex would do the trick really. They aren't being uncooperative, maybe I've given the wrong idea, they are OK but they are slowly doing this place up and there are areas that, shall we say, structurally must be left as they are until they are fixed, and the plan isn't to get them fixed for another year or so...

 

[Sparky Ninja]

I don't know if kopex would do the trick really. They aren't being uncooperative, maybe I've given the wrong idea, they are OK but they are slowly doing this place up and there are areas that, shall we say, structurally must be left as they are until they are fixed, and the plan isn't to get them fixed for another year or so...

Well it's a strange one then mate. Nowhere in appendix 5 does it say that fauna have a right to live there too!!
If anything that'll be the special location agricultural which will suggest steel conduit or SWA anyways..

Well as the SWA is likely to be relatively flexible, assuming it CSA of course, then I'd stick to the plan of metal boxes above then. You may have to install some noggins or something though for a fixing??

 

[Goody]

You could consider this The Original BS8436 Cable | Flexishield

 

[rocker]

Thanks Widdler.

Goody, have you (or anyone else) used this stuff? Do you think it would be good against rodent attack?

 

[Knobhead]

As to securing the boxes it’s 5 minute job to knock up a timber frame between the joists to hold them. I had an 8 arm chandelier in my first house, my drunken party trick was swinging from it, followed by falling off The chandelier was fine, more than could be said for me after the earwiging I got the next morning from the wife.


Zorro eat your heart out!

 

[Goody]

Thanks Widdler.

Goody, have you (or anyone else) used this stuff? Do you think it would be good against rodent attack?

No, I haven't used this sort of cable; just stumbled on the net and... I don't fancy working with rodents, LOL!

 

[Cyberprog]

What about a steel galv box adaptable style, that you then anchor into place by bolting through the ceiling? May not be the neatest, but it won't be going anywhere.

 

[rocker]

I am actually thinking now of a knock out box instead of a conduit box, mounted on the underside of a noggin, butted tight against the ceiling to stop our friends getting in, swa glanded to that and a flylead to the accessory for the earth, simply for adaptability and price reasons. Ahh if only I was unscrupulous enough to just terminate straight to the accessory....

 

[Cyberprog]

It's a pity you can't just make the box itself "live" and effectively install a half dozen rat traps!

 

[rocker]

Now that's a good point... nice hot metal box with some tempting, delicious cable sheath in it....

 

[Cyberprog]

Only downside is when you're next called back, and forget that you made em live and zap yourself off the ladder!

 

[topquark]

Goody, have you (or anyone else) used this stuff? Do you think it would be good against rodent attack?

Not used it myself, I know the French system uses a "Rodent Proof" cable for some of their wiring (had a quick look for it, but couldn't find it).

I think I'd be going for a combination of SWA (for the awkward runs) into a conduit box and steel conduit/singles to the accessory connection point.

 

[pushrod]

Could suggest they live trap and relocate god's creatures because they would really be happier elsewhere

I assume you are using 3 core ie not using the armouring as the cpc. If you are then you just need to earth the cpc at one end and you could then just terminate straight into the accessory - not the neatest but can't, off hand, think of a reason why not.

Edit - and then leave those tasty little blue pellets in inaccessible places to avoid call backs

 

[Guest123]

Pyro.


Sounds like the 'old' method of a central joint box type of wiring would be the easiest here.

Run all switch cables & light fitting cables back a to central point (large galv adaptable box), more than one if neccessary, and terminate it this way. A single rear entry galv conduit box at the light fitting end held in place by a noggin of some description to fix your pendant to.

 

[topquark]

Pyro.
...

to protect the wiring from an incediary device of some sort for the rodents?

 

[Guest123]

to protect the wiring from an incediary device of some sort for the rodents?

The buggers round my way carry AK's!!!!

 

[BlueToBits]

Have you considered 20mm PVC conduit? it's a lot easier/cheaper to install and the diameter is too great for your furry friends to get their teeth around. They can still get the PVC sheath off the SWA.

 

[nickblake]

sorry mate plastic conduit seen chewed to bits by rodents ,use a through box cut out a 20mm hole in the back and use a coupler or a few joined together to get you through the ceiling into the back of a plastic ceiling rose adaptor the ones you use for trunkinug then fit the pendant to that works a treat

 

[Goody]

This will make it a bit harder for your little friends -> http://www.******************/Main_...able+conduit&gclid=CPys2uLwpqkCFQoZ4QodThM1tg

from T** direct and easier to work with too.

 

[Marvo]

I would make it clear before you start work that you can't guarantee the job will be rodent-proof. I've seen rodent damaged SWA cables that have been damaged all the way through to the copper, I've also seen PVC conduit and the wiring inside damaged by rodents.

I can understand them not wanting to kill them but I can't understand them wanting to take the chance of getting a disease that's spread by rodent urine or droppings. Reminds me of an old joke; what's orange and looks great on hippies?

Fire.

 

[Cyberprog]

Try Flexible Conduit Goody

 

[topquark]

This will make it a bit harder for your little friends -> http://www.******************/Main_...able+conduit&gclid=CPys2uLwpqkCFQoZ4QodThM1tg

from T** direct and easier to work with too.

That looks like a good option (bit on the pricey side).

 

[lj.l]

would those wire free switches help maybe cut down on cabeling and leave you with just one cable to get to the light from a local box which does several lights and just earth the swa at the box .really dont evny you on this one

 

[Goody]

We are running out of options here.

The last thing I can think of is to leave the cable (T&E) soaked in rat poison for a couple of weeks, dry it in shade for a week and use it, but make sure you wash your hands before grabbing that sandwich while at work. Can’t guarantee it rodent-free for life though. LOL!

 

[NoSparks]

I know it's a nightmare.

OK I like the galv box idea, but the thing is wherever I've come across pendants into galv boxes, obviously the boxes are held in place by.... well, galv. If it's just cleated SWA, the box isn't going to be held in place except for the comression between the box and the pendant on the ceiling, if you knw what I mean. Willthis be sufficient?

You can use the through boxes and plug the unused outlet, that would give more support on the other side. Also the spacing of the holes in the pendant may be a problem if you intended to secure it directly to the box.


PS you will be using the armour as the live conductor won't you!!!


Geoff

 

[Cyberprog]

We are running out of options here.

The last thing I can think of is to leave the cable (T&E) soaked in rat poison for a couple of weeks, dry it in shade for a week and use it, but make sure you wash your hands before grabbing that sandwich while at work. Can’t guarantee it rodent-free for life though. LOL!

I think I'd want to wear gloves before handling it too!