I'm having a moan. Celotex and downlights.

[electromonkey]

I've been called up to start my second fix for a re wire I started a few weeks ago. The customer is project managing the re firb of his house and has opted to insulate every possible inch of space throughout his 3 story house. He ordered a load of Celotex as per building regs for his loft conversion and was given a surplus amount so has used it throughout the house. In stud walls and under floor boards etc. He is having downlights throughout the property and much to my horror, absolutely no space has been left for me to pop the DL's up. The only way I can see getting around this is by putting my hand in through the hole cut for the DL's and clawing at the celotex to rip it out. I have 37 to do. :-(

Anyone had a similar problem before? If so, any tips?

Cheers

 

[vxwestie]

I've not had this problem yet. However, be aware you will need to assure yourself that all installed cables that have PVC insulation are not in contact with the Celotex, because Celotex causes the PVC to leach its plasticiser. This makes the cable migrate/melt into the Celotex causing yet more plasticiser to leach as well as reducing the current carrying capacity due to being now surrounded by thermal insulation. The leaching of plasticiser also cause the cable to rapidly age harden and become brittle.:32:

Do you have back-up to this caim? First Ive heard of it and with Celotex becoming even more common it WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE to keep cables away from celotex. Just last week I came accross 4ich stud work packed with 4inch solid celotex and 6inch in the ceiling...

 

[PEG]

You can use a hole cutter on an extension "cookie-cutter" style manually,no drill needed.Use the size used in boarding or a size smaller and just take a "core" out,don't be tempted to use cordless drill,gently gently not catch a pipey..

 

[Welchyboy]

I've not had this problem yet. However, be aware you will need to assure yourself that all installed cables that have PVC insulation are not in contact with the Celotex, because Celotex causes the PVC to leach its plasticiser. This makes the cable migrate/melt into the Celotex causing yet more plasticiser to leach as well as reducing the current carrying capacity due to being now surrounded by thermal insulation. The leaching of plasticiser also cause the cable to rapidly age harden and become brittle.:32:

This cant be true(i hope), im sure i would of heard of this somewhere by now, that would be around 90% of all the new extensions in the country with affected wiring

 

[jenions]

I'd see how far up you get with a holesaw on your drill, then jab saw at the rest, maybe a spoon (or something similar) as its only polystyrene

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Polystyrene is known to leech the plasticiser out of PVC cables.
I would check with Celotex to see whether their product wil affect the cables.

 

[claret73]

Off the Celotex Website FYI

 

[BillyTheSparks]

Oh we'll, looks like about 30 or more of my jobs need re-doing then.