Wall Chasing/Conduit Query

Mr Sparkle · 11 Mar 2020

conny said:
The chances of dropping a cable down a stud wall are 50/50. If there are horizontal noggins between the uprights then the answer is no.
If there are no noggins then I would be wondering why.

I'm sure there are noggins, so I would remove the plasterboard, then using my flat wood bit, drill through the noggin to feed the wire

conny · 11 Mar 2020

I didn't think you wanted to go to that length, however, if you intend to then it would be a lot easier.

Taylortwocities · 11 Mar 2020

Mr Sparkle said:
I'm sure there are noggins, so I would remove the plasterboard, then using my flat wood bit, drill through the noggin to feed the wire

Yes, that’s what everyone else has to do!

muffking · 11 Mar 2020

Or give the wall a knock to find the noggins and just drill/cut there to help pass the cable down.

Mr Sparkle · 11 Mar 2020

muffking said:
Yes if the the left hand light is being mounted on the stud wall where you intend to drop the cable.
Essentially what you're trying to avoid is random placing of cables buried in walls. They should go between accessories, or straight from above/below an accessory.

I have attached an illustration of what I was proposing. The drawing isn't the best so please do not slate me for it

I would like to clarify whether my proposal does or does not meet today's safety standards

muffking · 11 Mar 2020

There's still an issue with the zone on the left side of the masonry wall there, albeit a small one.
Would it be possible to chase down the masonry wall directly above one of the lights and pull the supply in from there, especially if you're then chasing across to the other light? Saves pulling the stud wall apart.

Mr Sparkle · 11 Mar 2020

Many thanks for your help guys.

As my proposal will not work, i will have to settle for a twin wall light

conny · 11 Mar 2020

Don't get disheartened. There is no problem with the zone on the left side of the masonry wall because it is within 6", (150mm), of the corner and therefore in a safe zone.
Rather than ripping plasterboards off I would chase down the masonry wall on the left side, (inside the safety zone), and then chase across to your 2 fitting positions. If you are going to fill one chase you may as well do the 2 at the same time.
Bear in mind that your cable chases must run in line with the base fittings and not a few inches below as it appears in your original drawing as this would be outside the safety zone because it is not in line with the fitting.

Mr Sparkle · 11 Mar 2020

conny said:
Don't get disheartened. There is no problem with the zone on the left side of the masonry wall because it is within 6", (150mm), of the corner and therefore in a safe zone.
Rather than ripping plasterboards off I would chase down the masonry wall on the left side, (inside the safety zone), and then chase across to your 2 fitting positions. If you are going to fill one chase you may as well do the 2 at the same time.
Bear in mind that your cable chases must run in line with the base fittings and not a few inches below as it appears in your original drawing as this would be outside the safety zone because it is not in line with the fitting.

So hope is not lost?

So nothing is wrong with my latest proposal? (with the marked red/black drawing)

Just to be clear

- If i feed the cable 150mm either side of the stud or masonry wall then i am okay?

- then run horizontal chase acrosa to the second light fitting.

- make sure that chase runs in line with the base fittings and not a few inches below?

- if I'm honest, i would prefer to run the vertical cable via the plasterboard/stud wall. Chasing the masonry wall will have me cleaning up for weeks. The wall is also very high (approx 3.5m)

Mr Sparkle · 14 Mar 2020

Guys, can someone clarify whether i can feed the cable/chase as illustrated in my attached pic please?

Can i go down the stud wall as long as i am within 150mm of the wall?

Or is the only way to chase the masonry wall within 150mm?

Taylortwocities · 14 Mar 2020

That’s ok, except, in your diagram the horizontal cable is shown to run below the wall lights and then up to the lights.
This is not correct. If you do that then the horizontal run is not in the ‘safe’ zone.

the cable needs to go to the fittings, not across and up. This may have challenges as this may be where the fixing holes for the lights go!

Mr Sparkle · 14 Mar 2020

@Taylortwocities many thanks for the clarification

securespark · 14 Mar 2020

plugwash said:
The issue is that if you get rid of the existing fitting completely then the vertical drop will no longer be in a safe zone.

Isn't the OP adding a light, rather than resiting it?

plugwash · 14 Mar 2020

I read the OPs post as replacing one existing light with two new lights, neither of which were in the position of the original light, maybe I misread it.

muffking · 14 Mar 2020

securespark said:
Isn't the OP adding a light, rather than resiting it?

plugwash said:
I read the OPs post as replacing one existing light with two new lights, neither of which were in the position of the original light, maybe I misread it.

You're both right. That's how I read it too.

It's hard to get perspective of distance from the photos, but as Conny says, if the light on the left is within 150mm from the corner then you can come down the stud wall and chase across to to the lights. Just looked a little far apart to me, but I could be wrong. Best get the tape measure out.

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Wall Chasing/Conduit Query

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