Do I really need to terminate this unused wiring?

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Hi all

Some time ago, we removed a wall light in our lounge... Unsure of what to do with the remaining wire, I put the live and neutral into separate choc block segments, then taped them up separately.

It has been left like that for some quite time. But we are now having a spurge to finish decorating so I went to a store today to find out what I would need. I was recommended a blanking plate.

I asked the guy whether it would be safe to just leave it as is. We will be hanging a pic in front of it either way, so it does not need to look neat and tidy. He said it would be fine and that the blanketing plate does not make it safer.... It just keeps things tidy....

What do you folk think?

Cheers

Max

A couple of pics:



 
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Thanks for the quick response and helpful suggestions.

We intend to hang one of those pictures framed in a deep frame, if you know what I mean? I think that side of things is ok. What I'm really hoping to find out is whether leaving it like that is safe.....
 
I would still use that box and terminal strip. As it is.
Is the circuit isolated? If not then definitely.
 
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No - not isolated. The wires are live.

Sorry for all the questions, but do you mind if I ask why/how would it be unsafe?
 
You can gain access to live parts without the use of a tool.

Insulation tape dries up and falls off.

Chip a 16mm deep metal box into the wall, terminate the CPC (earth) into the terminal on the box, put the line and neutral into separate connector blocks and fit a blanking plate, job done properly and safely.

Make sure you don't drill, screw or nail into the cable in the wall when fitting your picture :)
 
Totally isolate from supply and cut out all accessible cables and cable ends. Can then safely leave bits of cable buried in wall without the need for JB's.
 
chase in an archtrave box & terminate conductors in to wagos.

At last a sensible solution.

Someone else had the right idea about totally disconnecting and removing the wiring, yet the idea above will provide a neat way to terminate the wiring, whilst giving you an option to reinstate wall lights without much bother. This method will leave you with a very neat blanking plate if the picture is removed.

You will need a blank plate over this box, they do an architrave blank plate, yet you never see them. A standard single blank plate should fit on an architrave flush box.

You have mentioned a picture will cover the wiring point, so avoid drilling into the cable. Using two hooks for the picture may help in this case.

Connect all earth wires to the earth terminal of the metal architrave box. Don't use a standard metal box, you won't cover it with a wall light if you want one in the future.
 
If your painting anyway.....

Why don't you remove floorboard above and pull the cable out?

Then terminate under the floorboard.

If it doesn't pull out, chisel the cable out, fill and paint.
 
If your painting anyway.....

Why don't you remove floorboard above and pull the cable out?

Then terminate under the floorboard.

If it doesn't pull out, chisel the cable out, fill and paint.

I don't see any point chiselling out old wiring if it's completely dead and safely disconnected. Someone's got to blend in the plastering.

Looks like it's in capping anyway, so should pull out with minimal disruption to the wall.
 

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