Why not just bury cables in the wall?

[Grant M]

Is there anywhere in the regulation that says an installer can't just bury a cable like twin and earth directly into the wall, without capping or conduit? I can't find it anywhere and it seems it is only an issue with plasterers who are worried about nicking the cable.

 

[Spudnik]

You can bury it in the way with no capping etc.

 

[eddielarge]

It looks rough

 

[DiscoDave]

It looks rough

I'd take it one step further and say that it IS rough.

 

[acvc]

It makes life really difficult later on for alterations/additions/repairs. There's always a chance of pulling a cable out of its run and attaching a draw-wire to get a new one in too, when it's in conduit/capping. ....... on a good day.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

It comes down to protecting the cable from mechanical damage while the wall is plastered,that is all the regulations are concerned with,and the only reason technically to install conduit/capping......But I agree with the others,straight in the plaster is rougher than rough.

 

[robskiing]

Ive been using capping since i started sparking early eighties for me the only way its tidier less likely to inflict mechanical damage and you have half a chance if you have to renew the cable i know of one or two lads who dont use it maybe its the extra cost ?

 

[acvc]

78p for 2.4m length at my wholesaler!

 

[gaffer]

I've always used capping,but was told as an apprentice we used it because the plasticiser in the scratch coat had a chemical reaction with the PVC which was why we had to tape any joints in the capping.

 

[rocker]

Right, using capping makes it easier for us to retrofit and it stops the spread buggering it up (which they do every time). I normally use capping especially if I'm working with a spread. HOWEVER:

'It looks rough' for the five minutes it takes the spread to cover it up and hide if for the rest of time.

It effectively increases current carrying capacity of twin and earth thus making it safer by default.

Dodgy plastic top hat offers sod all mechanical protection I don't care what anyone says. I only use it really because of el plastero's sharpened trowel.

 

[nickblake]

I always use capping even on dry lined walls biggest problem is when you have alot of cables in one position ie multi gang light switches etc biggest problem is fixing the dam stuff ,capping nails tend to go straight through and when you hit the walls od a stone cottage dam ,lol ,have to prop it in place and glue it on with bonding

 

[eddielarge]

I always use capping even on dry lined walls biggest problem is when you have alot of cables in one position ie multi gang light switches etc biggest problem is fixing the dam stuff ,capping nails tend to go straight through and when you hit the walls od a stone cottage dam ,lol ,have to prop it in place and glue it on with bonding

Gluing with bonding sounds crazy, what do u have to do wedge it in place with wood first. Why just not drill and fix it if capping nails won't work,

 

[robskiing]

Ive found that you can even fix the capping by screwing directly into mortar or breeze block so eliminating the need to drill and rawlplug and if there is for example a switch drop with a lot of cables just lightly angle grind a slot about 25mm wide and fix a wider piece of capping

 

[nickblake]

Gluing with bonding sounds crazy, what do u have to do wedge it in place with wood first. Why just not drill and fix it if capping nails won't work,

i know it sounds crazy but with stone walls trying to get a fixing is near impossible ,most of the mortar in the joins has perished and with some of the welsh stone round here you can burn out half a dozen drill bits drilling just one hole ,so its stick the capping with bonding

 

[AA410]

Galvernized nails work well to fix capping to the wall