What are my options here?

[DJAndy]

Faced with a switch drop suffering from having architrave screwed over it. Not overly experienced in domestic work so looking for some options on how to deal with it.



My first thought was to have the contractor take the architrave off & then to hack out and joint behind the architrave, but obviously the reason there's a screw in the cable in the first place is that the harmonised colours cable is out of the prescribed zones.

And then there's the various textured finishes, picture rail, cornice...

 

[westward10]

I'm lost, where is this screw through the cable in relation to the switch drop.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Quienetic switch

 

[DJAndy]

I'm lost, where is this screw through the cable in relation to the switch drop.

Under the paint. Cable leaves the switch out of the side and runs up behind the architrave.

Pretty much a dead short SL-E.

If someone was reckless enough to disconnect the cpc, energise the SL, and then waved a non contact tester at the potentially live door frame the beeps would stop part way down the frame.

Previous electrician blames the chippy but it is post 2004 colours so the cable should not be where it is.

 

[loz2754]

Deleted

 

[westward10]

So it runs behind the door frame or the dado rail. Are you trying to apportion blame or find a solution to repair it.

 

[DJAndy]

So it runs behind the door frame or the dado rail. Are you trying to apportion blame or find a solution to repair it.

A solution to repair it. I don't care whose fault it was, I'm talking too much and distracting from the actual issue

 

[DJAndy]

Quienetic switch

This may be a winner.

 

[westward10]

So where is the screw dado or door frame.

 

[DJAndy]

So where is the screw dado or door frame.

I think the screw / nail is in the architrave, but I can't confirm it's that direction and not from the casing without having the paint off. Definitely not from the picture rail.

 

[ipf]

Seems to me it needs removing and replacing. Paint or wall damage is a secondary problem and needs carrying out as required.
Is it an old, existing situation or has it just occurred?

 

[westward10]

If I were tasked with this then the cable needs replacing as in #11. Any repairs/making good would not be my concern.

 

[telectrix]

Quinetic is the answer. diss. the switch cable at the light. no decor disturbed. no cable out of zone. winner.

 

[UNG]

I think the screw / nail is in the architrave, but I can't confirm it's that direction and not from the casing without having the paint off. Definitely not from the picture rail.

If I were tasked with this then the cable needs replacing as in #11. Any repairs/making good would not be my concern.

Taken off properly there would be very little making good to do, score the paint with a knife where the architrave meets the frame, a good sharp wood chisel to take the architrave off and a bit of caulking to tidy it up when it goes back.

 

[telectrix]

Taken off properly there would be very little making good to do, score the paint with a knife where the architrave meets the frame, a good sharp wood chisel to take the architrave off and a bit of caulking to tidy it up when it goes back.

but he'd still be left with a cable outside prescribed zone.

 

[UNG]

but he'd still be left with a cable outside prescribed zone.

So it would be a minor deviation from the regs how many other switches are wired in a similar fashion within the same installation

 

[telectrix]

still think a quinetic switch (and receiver) would be the ideal solution. saves repair to cable, decor repair, and eliminates the outof zone issue.

 

[DJAndy]

Is it an old, existing situation or has it just occurred?

Recent-ish. New door frame last summer, short discovered and cable disconnected September, but a few floor lamps and a level 4 lockdown made it not an issue until this week - the tenants were away.

 

[DJAndy]

So it would be a minor deviation from the regs how many other switches are wired in a similar fashion within the same installation

Probably most of them.

 

[DJAndy]

still think a quinetic switch (and receiver) would be the ideal solution. saves repair to cable, decor repair, and eliminates the outof zone issue.

This is my preferred option so far for all of those reasons. If the landlord will pick it remains to be seen.

 

[telectrix]

the costof a qiunetic switch and receiver would be less that the labour costs of fixing the existing cable and redecoration.

 

[DJAndy]

the costof a qiunetic switch and receiver would be less that the labour costs of fixing the existing cable and redecoration.

Agreed.

I'm surprised by property manager and or landlord decisions every week, so I wouldn't put it past them to suggest a pull cord next to the pendant as a budget solution

 

[ipf]

Agreed.

I'm surprised by property manager and or landlord decisions every week, so I wouldn't put it past them to suggest a pull cord next to the pendant as a budget solution

If they do, suggest doing it in surface mini trunking instead...... another carp idea!!!....but it shows you're thinking off the same page as them. ?

 

[DJAndy]

If they do, suggest doing it in surface mini trunking instead...... another carp idea!!!....but it shows you're thinking off the same page as them. ?

Mini trunking too expensve, 2+E plastic clipped direct to the ceiling

 

[ipf]

Mini trunking too expensve, 2+E plastic clipped direct to the ceiling

Use metal p clips for fire safety, though....?

Like they used to years ago, before knock on pvc.

 

[littlespark]

Use galv conduit and give it a modern “industrial” interior design feel

 

[DJAndy]

Use metal p clips for fire safety....?

How about d-line clips?

 

[ipf]

Nice one. Sorted it, then?.......not sure about that basket in the house, though. ?

 

[loz2754]

So it would be a minor deviation from the regs how many other switches are wired in a similar fashion within the same installation

A minor deviation which resulted in the cable being penetrated by a screw!

 

[DJAndy]

Nice one. Sorted it, then?.......not sure about that basket in the house, though. ?

Ha, no this was a different job, still a residence but not domestic.

 

[telectrix]

Mini trunking too expensve, 2+E plastic clipped direct to the ceiling

with metal clips of course.

 

[UNG]

Use metal p clips for fire safety, though....?

Like they used to years ago, before knock on pvc.

Give your installation the antique feel use buckle clips

 

[MJPD29]

Is there no way to lift a board above it and rewire it? It could only be a few metres of cable from the light to the switch. I wouldn't be burying a joint back behind it again.

 

[nicebutdim]

Give your installation the antique feel use buckle clips

Probably used on the cable that originally took that architrave route.