What to do with chasings

[sparkymcsparkf]

Hi guys,

I would be hugely appreciative for any input on this.

Basically my electrician did a full rewire and didnt use any capping or conduit, which as I understand is OK within the regs (as long as RCA protected which they are), but considered a bit unprofessional in the trade depending on who you talk to.

The electrician 'made Good 'in the chases for an extra 100 quid. I said about the wires poking out and he said it doesn't matter as the plasterer would be going over them. I think the plaster is usable, as such I dont need to have the walls replastered. So now I need to know what to do with these chases sonI can get the wires under the surface if the wall.

My instinct on the last 2 (dining room) is that I can chip away the existing plaster that he has used and push the wires back and go over it with a filler so that they sit properly in the chase. I'm a bit afraid of doing it though as I'm scared I may damage the wires. Also it looks like the wires have crossed over each other in the chase..is that supposed to happen/ok?

My biggest concern is the picture below where the wire is dropping from the ceiling (breakfast room) in the chases. No amount of plaster would set that right..it just looks like he hasn't used enough wire.

I am really at a loss as to what I can do. As far as I am aware as there are no regs broken I dont have the right to demand he comes back and fix it. But I dont know what I can and can't do.

If you guys could let me know how you would deal with this I would be hugely grateful. Any input at all...its honestly cooking my brain!!

Cheers!!

 

[David Prosser]

I'm not aware of plaster or cement being harmful to modern PVC cables, even lime plaster has been shown to not have any effect on it. The use of capping or oval trunking is for mechanical protection form the plasterers trowel.

 

[LastManOnline]

I'm not aware of plaster or cement being harmful to modern PVC cables, even lime plaster has been shown to not have any effect on it. The use of capping or oval trunking is for mechanical protection form the plasterers trowel.

That is Interesting. Would you have any references for that.?Is there any comment/notes in the UK regs about that? . I have also never seen any damage to pvc from plaster or cement myself up until very recently. Towards the end of the boom years here there was a huge demand for concrete. Suppliers would drop it off early morning, heavily laced with a retarding agent to slow hardening. This was unfortunately acid based. Its now coming home to roost causing all sorts of problems for pvc cables that came in contact with it

 

[David Prosser]

Try the manufacturers website.

 

[Mike Johnson]

In the 60's it was High Alumina Cement that caused the problems corroding reinforcement, the collapse of the swimming pool roof at "The Sir John Cass Foundation" was the beginning of it being banned in the UK.

 

[LastManOnline]

In the 60's it was High Alumina Cement that caused the problems corroding reinforcement, the collapse of the swimming pool roof at "The Sir John Cass Foundation" was the beginning of it being banned in the UK.

Interesting. My curiosity is aroused because the UK and ROI regs are so similar in many ways that I just naturally assumed you would not be allowed to plaster over pvc directly. I have no issue with it as clearly in the UK you nowadays don't experience any problems doing it (though it I, m not sure I would adopt the practice). But I wondered what your or if your regs had something specific to say on the matter?

 

[Mike Johnson]

I am not up on the current UK regulations and will leave others to comment on that, but in France all cables are run in flexible conduit or Gaine as its called, the difference with the French supplied Gain is that it all has draw wires or is cable populated already.

 

[LastManOnline]

I am not up on the UK regulations and will leave others to comment on that, but in France all cables are run in flexible conduit or Gaine as its called, the difference with the French supplied Gain is that it all has draw wires or is cable populated already.

Yes. That would generally be the norm in mainland Europe. They prefer flexible pipe to our wavin or your capping. The UK are the first country that I am aware of to allow direct plastering of pvc

 

[Mike Johnson]

That's probably because of the use of T&E cable so except for the CPC the cables are double insulated.

 

[MJPD29]

So rough. Not a chance I would be installing cables to be directly plastered over. Common practice here is to use conduit every time. Personally I think its much much better than capping also.

 

[LastManOnline]

So rough. Not a chance I would be installing cables to be directly plastered over. Common practice here is to use conduit every time. Personally I think its much much better than capping also.

Yes. That's what I would have expected. Are you a UK based sparks? Would you know which reg (if any) in BS7671gives guidance on installing pvc cables in wall chases?

 

[MJPD29]

Yes. That's what I would have expected. Are you a UK based sparks? Would you know which reg (if any) in BS7671gives guidance on installing pvc cables in wall chases?

Well I live in Ireland, but follow BS7671 as I'm north of the border. I could be wrong, but I'm not aware of any reg to say that cables can't be directly plastered over if RCD protected

 

[LastManOnline]

Well I live in Ireland, but follow BS7671 as I'm north of the border. I could be wrong, but I'm not aware of any reg to say that cables can't be directly plastered over if RCD protected

Good to know. So if no rcd cables must have protection. ?

 

[goasis]

I'm not aware of any regs that link plastering directly over twin and earth cabling and the need for rcd protection....capping, conduit or just clips... Makes no difference to requirement for an rcd on the circuit

 

[Taylortwocities]

Unfortunately yes as long as the cable is RCD protected at the DB.

That’s not true. RCD protection has nothing to do with it.

 

[MJPD29]

Good to know. So if no rcd cables must have protection. ?

If buried less than 50mm. Or mechanical protection.