Thatched wiring - ways to make safer

[davesparks]

As you say that the cables in the loft are "regular lighting" that would probably mean 1.0 or 1.5 T&E this existing cable could easily be pulled through 20mm Flexicon galvanised steel conduit, your electrician should know who its done and terminated into each light fitting.

But to pull it through floppy conduit the whole lot would have to be disconnected and re-run so it might as well be rewired and made properly rodent proof.

Properly terminating the floppy conduit at light fittings and switches wont be all that straightforward either.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Only has to be disconnected one end and a draw cord pulled through then the existing T&E can easily be terminated in a standard stuffing gland, not rocket science although some on here think it is.

 

[nicebutdim]

Only has to be disconnected one end and a draw cord pulled through then the existing T&E can easily be terminated in a standard stuffing gland, not rocket science although some on here think it is.

I don't believe you've thought this through. Cables routed through walls/joists etc won't have been run to accommodate the significantly larger diameter required and will need to be pulled back to allow this work.

While steel flexible conduit is one means of protecting cables from rodents, in this instance I can't imagine fitting the stuff over existing cables being a worthwhile or economical endeavour.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I have thought this through, it is only lighting cables that are needing protection, these will be run from rose too rose so easily disconnected and pulled back and through a flexible conduit laid on and clipped too the surface of the joists, any cables that go through the ceiling can be terminated inside a box over the penetration.

So what is your better solution?

 

[Rockingit]

Personally, I'd have thought that the quickest/cheapest way to deal with this would be standard runs of galv tube, conduit outlet above where each light below is (can screw a 3 plate straight through the [wattle?] ceiling into it) and then use 2way 90's to jam down to trap the switch drops coming back up the wall. I'd have thought that they'd be fine, it'll be the loops that are nibbled through.

Or does nobody know how to use a bender anymore?

 

[Dustydazzler]

I would rewire it all in 4mm SWA , all metal tie wrapped to some nice Galv Tray strutted to the roof joists

 

[pc1966]

I would rewire it all in 4mm SWA , all metal tie wrapped to some nice Galv Tray strutted to the roof joists

Why 4mm?

SWA would work, but to me conduit and singles would be far easier for various loops or two-way switches, etc. Possibly less work even with the conlok style as you won't have a dozen or so cable glands to accessories and/or junction boxes in the roof space.

Any runs impractical to do in metal conduit could be in flexible, or maybe a run or SWA as needed (potentially 7 core, etc, for many circuits so long as off one breaker).

 

[Dustydazzler]

Why 4mm?

...cause I got a load of it in the shed that needs using up

 

[davesparks]

Only has to be disconnected one end and a draw cord pulled through then the existing T&E can easily be terminated in a standard stuffing gland, not rocket science although some on here think it is.

But how are you terminating the floppy conduit at each end, or are you proposing to just leave the sharp cut end of the steel loose? It needs to be connected onto a backbox of some sort with a proper gland to secure it and protect the cable from the sharp edges.

If the conduit is left loose and not secured to backboxes then it will inevitably leave a bit of cable exposed for the rodents to nibble on.

The floppy conduit is unlikely to be able to take the exact same route as the existing cables so will inevitably result in the cables being too short.

 

[davesparks]

I have thought this through, it is only lighting cables that are needing protection, these will be run from rose too rose so easily disconnected and pulled back and through a flexible conduit

I hadn't realised you've visited the house in question and know exactly how the circuit is wired and how the cables have been run.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Of course I haven't visited the house, but do live an equally old property, these are just ideas and suggestions, no else seems eager to have a punt on a solution, perhaps it's because they know that it will bring out the Harry Enfield effect in most others.

 

[davesparks]

no else seems eager to have a punt on a solution,

I've already made my suggestion of finding the cause of the 2.5megohm reading rather than rewiring and entire circuit for the sake of what could be a faulty lampholder.

 

[Mike Johnson]

That does not get over the Rodent problem, which is what this thread is about.

 

[Mick-J]

You're both right. & I appreciate the replies.

We could do with finding the cause of the low reading in the first instance.....which might give us some grace for a period before figuring out a med-long term solution.

To that end I do plan to gird my loins, pull on my worst clothing and have a careful creep around the attic.....just need a damp day and some enthusiasm for getting up the ladder The former should happen this week....

The longer term solution must involve removing/solving the rodent issue.
In my mind, that would ideally mean removing all wires from the attic....BUT given the bathroom has a pull-cord ceiling light, that might not be possible. Or involve plenty of in-room conduit perhaps

Our sparky is a busy fella (and we are not around a lot)...plus he is aware that once he does any work, he would need to take it all to current regs......so who fancies a trip to the IOW to cure the problem? Free holiday plus some payment


He did explain how to run tests using a Megger meter in order to perhaps monitor things ourselves a bit. Hopefully that will give us more information!
What we don't know is whether the low resistance is something that has been getting worse, or indeed if it has been bad for 5-20 years. Defo worth knowing that.....

cheers

 

[Avo Mk8]

A couple of other options?

https://www.techflex.co.uk/heavy-duty/rodent-resistant-sleeving

Anti-Rodent Electrical Tape - ATV City

Anti-Rodent Electrical Tape (20m) An easy to use, effective solution for protection of cables, wires, plumbing pipes, gas pipes & ducts against rodent damage! Teraokatape is embedded with capsules containing Capsicum which are extremely disliked by rats and mice. Simply wrap the tape around wire...

atvcity.co.uk