Plastering directly over T&E

[tedglen2]

Hello all.

I have goggled filling T&E with plaster and there are a lot of responses saying plaster will corrode the cable?

Is this just a myth? Will I be ok to just clip the cables then plaster over myself!

 

[Octopus]

Murdoch, there is no need to be a cocky **** now is there ?

There is absolutely no need for such a response like that. Your sequence of posts has consistently suggested that you have an electrician on the job but I'd venture to suggest thats not true.

For the record I'm not being cocky. This is the electricians forum for professional electricians who pay sums to be registered, insured, have the relevent qualifications, experience and tools - which you seem intent on abusing. Its not the B&Q or Wickes forum.

 

[tedglen2]

I do not like you attitude. I have electrician on board but I was concerned when I read somewhere that plaster affects cable. I was trusting your opinions more than an one electrician who may or may not be a cowboy

 

[brp electrical]

If the cable is RCD protected your fine

 

[gigawatt]

There's another reason for capping, not electric but will help the plastering finish. When simply plastering over cable you can leave gaps, hairline gaps which can become cracks or weak points in the plastering.

doesnt apply to dot and dab obviously.

 

[1shortcircuit]

Testing before 2nd fix eh? That's a new one. Total and utter waste of time IMO

Really?

So you trust that once you've completed your first fix everything is spot on? How do you know that? Do you not make mistakes?

I ALWAYS test for continuity/IR on the circuits I have installed on completion of first fix so that I know 100% when I return any faults have been caused by kitchen fitters or additional works that have taken place since first fix completion.

The use of wago lever connectors make this an absolute doddle and for how long the test take I think it's worth it's weight in gold.

Inspection and testing should be performed before, during and after installation to ensure that the integrity of the circuit has not been compromised. If you're not doing it then it may well come back and bite you on the behind when the client refuses to pay for repair works required that may require ripping out cable that has since been tiled over, plastered or even had kitchen cabinets installed in front of runs.

Complete waste of time? My backside it is but hey... I'm just a Electrical Trainee so what do I know??? lol

 

[brp electrical]

If you put it in steel conduit you dont have to worry about a thing - do the whole house in 32mm steel conduit

 

[trev]

In a domestic situation I class first fix as cables in, boxes sunk and fixed and capping. Second fix is accessories on, it's at this point that the testing regime kicks in for me. I appreciate your point but I think your method is a waste of time. Each to their own though, it's always interesting to get another's point of view

 

[Des 56]

I have to admit,if I stripped a cable to test it,I would be too tempted to shove the front on,the second fix would be done before the plasterer had got his trowel out

Can't fault anyone doing things to the book,it just isn't me

By the way Ted,whats with insulting Murdoch,a well respected member ?

 

[RISElectrical]

Testing after first fix is pointless to an extent, when cables are installed you should be confident that all is good. Its after first fix and before second fix that things go wrong, plasterers damage cables, etc etc. So agree with trev above

 

[1shortcircuit]

Testing after first fix is pointless to an extent, when cables are installed you should be confident that all is good

To an extent I totally agree because results I have recorded have always been satisfactory. However, anyone can be confident that the work they complete is all good but having test results confirm this secures that confidence and provides you with proof should any damage occur at a later date.

I guess it depends at what point second fix is completed? The second fixes I have done have always been completed after plastering, tiling and kitchen units have been fixed and as mentioned this is where the damage can be caused :thumbsup

 

[Johnny-G]

Not sure why any of you guys bother replying to this lad, he's obviously just taking the ****.

 

[1shortcircuit]

Not sure why any of you guys bother replying to this lad, he's obviously just taking the ****.

It's only a few wires, how hard can it be? lol

 

[snowhead]

Plastering directly onto cables was unheard of when I started.
All cables were always fully capped, as much for mechanical protection afterwards as well as during plastering.

I've drilled thousands of holes in walls with capped cable, never used a detector (not that they were originally available) and never drilled thro' one before, you only had to tap the plaster and you can find the capping.

If capping is not mandatory then it would seem now that Rcd circuits have become the norm that traditional mechanical protection is no longer required.
I thought RCD was intended to be a second defence not a first.

 

[Plonker 3]

Capping is only used for protection from damage before being covered (by plaster etc). Afterwards it provides very little protection from a nail and hammer or drill.

 

[imago]

With regard to capping, I still use it partly out of habit, and partly because it looks better to the customer if they see the runs prior to plastering. It really doesn't add anything in terms of protection except from the platerer's trowel as previously mentioned.

As for testing cables run in, or first fix if you like then sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I'm not keen on the 'I always' approach to some aspects of the work as almost every job is different. So for example, if I do a first fix and then leave the job to be followed in by other trades I test the first fix. Alternatively, if I first fix then my plasterer covers the cables over and I second fix behind him then I don't test at first fix.

We all have our habits, preferences, work orders and routines, but to only work in one set way on every job isn't the best approach. That's just my opinion though