Suspended ceiling - how do you run lighting calbles ? ? ?

[mikex79]

Hi I need to run cables in a suspended ceiling (grid made of aluminium tees and mineral fiber ceiling tiles, suspention wires are fixed directly to the concret ceiling so there are not wooden beams that I could clip the cables to) the luminaires are already fit so what I need to do is just run the cables. What I have always seen was twin and earth PVC cables laid directly on the ceiling tiles and grid but I just have a feeling that this practice is not right there is something that is telling me that if there is an insulation fault even due to cable rubbing the main beam and tees the whole grid will become live.
My question is if there is any special method of suspending the cables so they will not touch the metal grid od should I clip them directly to the concret ceiling and just drop the cables to the luminaires? do the grid have to be earthed?
all suggestions would be much appreciate

 

[Guest123]

Allow me.

 

[sparks1234]

With those special fire resistant screws dont ya know.

Ok ill get me coat

Hey I got a smilie for that



Ha Ha

 

[skirby]

Don't run cables directly onto suspended ceiling.
Keeping things neat may save you time if lots of cables.
Install a run of tray cable or trunking along your main run (ceiling or wall).
If tray, make loops of cable to support your new cables whilst installing then finally tie back in groupings.
If trunking, make up retainers from pieces of 20mm plastic tube cut down the middle. Be inventive. Messy jobs can turn into a nightmare.

 

[sparks1234]

Don't run cables directly onto suspended ceiling.
Keeping things neat may save you time if lots of cables.
Install a run of tray cable or trunking along your main run (ceiling or wall).
If tray, make loops of cable to support your new cables whilst installing then finally tie back in groupings.
If trunking, make up retainers from pieces of 20mm plastic tube cut down the middle. Be inventive. Messy jobs can turn into a nightmare.

Oh, groupings...another subject

 

[plug444]

Just like that! Job I just finished in Alton


http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh207/plug444/IMAG0087.jpg



I always wire using a 3 core & earth FP or equivalent type cable. This enables emergency fittings to be fitted anywhere and controlled via a MK grid test key

 

[skirby]

Yep. And don't forget long cable runs may require cable sizes to increase.

 

[Ashley Williams]

IMO plastic conduit is the best way with ceilling roses supplying each light.

A

 

[ajelec10]

The quickest and cheapest way is to use cateenary wire position a few of them and cable tie to it
Hope this helps
AJ

 

[skirby]

Cateenary sounds good. never tried it but certainly cheaper than trunking, plas conduit, roses etc.

Whichever method you use 'make it tidy' and make it look professional so you can be proud of it.
There is no definative 'right way' to do a job and we should all learning all of the time.

'Make it right'
Uhmm. Thanks AJelec. I like that!

 

[wilmer197]

Ive jus finished doing a suspended ceiling myself, jus tie wrapped the cables to the wires which holds the suspended ceiling up and fix 20mm stop end boxes to the concrete ceiling and fit kliks. Alot easier than fitting conduit throughout.

 

[Mac]

How many of you actually do this.Was in Asda the other day and there were tiles missing.All the cables were resting on the tiles

 

[skirby]

Asda prices are very low.

This obviously includes the price they pay for their electrical work!

 

[Rulin]

sounds rough i still have a bit of pride in my job. Besides what do you do if you want to change the layout of the lights?? with my method its unplug move lights then plug in.

I think there's a few people on here shoud stay behind @ school and do line's ......

I MUST TAKE PRIDE IN MY WORK...

 

[lister]

How many of you actually do this.Was in Asda the other day and there were tiles missing.All the cables were resting on the tiles

Not me i've learnt to switch off when i go shopping and concentrate on the bargains rather than the install

 

[Mac]

Not me i've learnt to switch off when i go shopping and concentrate on the bargains rather than the install

So do i mate,but when they start hanging clothes on the sagging cables