Hi jacked / split post

  • Thread starter Thread starter In Your Face
  • Start date Start date
When i install downlighters i fabricate an open ended box from plasterboard and give it at least 100mm from the edge of the downlighter to the sides of the box.
You can buy special protective covers for downlighters,which i use in flats but these can be expensive.
Insulation covering any cable is not good but as pointed out before the effect on a lighting circuit cable is very small ...BUT... can reduce the life of the lamps themselves.
 
In Your Face said:
Covering modern cables (1950's onwards) with insulation is the least of your worries when it comes to electric's running through your home.

No is is not. Covering a cable with insulation derates the cable to a lower maximum current.

A fire cannot start due to insulation.

But can start by overheated and charred cable igniting flammable material


The most important thing is to hope u have not got a plug socket wired up to your lighting circuit cos its things like this which cause modern cables to overheat and burst into flames

and they over heat much quicker when covered in insulation

also no dodgy wiring with a live wire ready to touch your copper water supply, that would be great fun in the bath. Always check u have the right fuse for the right circuit and never overload the ratings of your cable.

The rating is lower when covered in insulation

The biggest problem and danger is from installations done by people who think they know what they are doing is correct when they haven't read the books or learnt the full knowledge.
 
festa said:
.
Insulation covering any cable is not good but as pointed out before the effect on a lighting circuit cable is very small ...BUT... can reduce the life of the lamps themselves.

With 12 volt lighting a 50 watt bulb is taking more than 4 amps. Cable size is critical.
 
I liked the idea of clay plant pots (someone mentioned it ages ago at DIYnot).

They have air holes, they are fire safe (since they are non combustable), strong and are readily available, cheap (£2 for a 8-10" one).

Seems a bit wrong stealing Bill and Bens home :roll:

Flower_pot_men_web.gif
 
In Your Face said:
The most important thing is to hope u have not got a plug socket wired up to your lighting circuit cos its things like this which cause modern cables to overheat and burst into flames

No it isn't.

The worst thing which this could do is cause the OCPD for the circuit to opreate.

The cable will not overheat and burst into flames.

Infact even when I connected a dead short on a piece of T&E to my welder it didn't burst into flames.
 
In Your Face said:
Covering modern cables (1950's onwards) with insulation is the least of your worries when it comes to electric's running through your home.

No is is not. Covering a cable with insulation derates the cable to a lower maximum current.

oooh Scary, dont cover any downlights or transformers with insulation

A fire cannot start due to insulation.

But can start by overheated and charred cable igniting flammable material

Sounds like dodgy electrics, the most important thing is to get your electrics tested



The most important thing is to hope u have not got a plug socket wired up to your lighting circuit cos its things like this which cause modern cables to overheat and burst into flames

and they over heat much quicker when covered in insulation

Once again, get those electrics tested.

also no dodgy wiring with a live wire ready to touch your copper water supply, that would be great fun in the bath. Always check u have the right fuse for the right circuit and never overload the ratings of your cable.

The rating is lower when covered in insulation

Rating is lower. Well you wouldnt worry about that if you got hit by 240v in the bath. Get your bathroom bonded

The biggest problem and danger is from installations done by people who think they know what they are doing is correct when they haven't read the books or learnt the full knowledge.

The biggest problem is people that learn things from only books, ive been in the building game for years and the things ive seen with electrics would make your hair stand on end. Once again insulation over your cables is the least of your worries when it comes to electrics. Im not saying its good to cover your cables but dont forget about the more inportant thing.
 
In Your Face said:
The most important thing is to hope u have not got a plug socket wired up to your lighting circuit cos its things like this which cause modern cables to overheat and burst into flames

No it isn't.

The worst thing which this could do is cause the OCPD for the circuit to opreate.

The cable will not overheat and burst into flames.

Infact even when I connected a dead short on a piece of T&E to my welder it didn't burst into flames.

I stand corrected, what can burst into flames, a downlight covered in insulation.
 
When i install downlighters i fabricate an open ended box from plasterboard and give it at least 100mm from the edge of the downlighter to the sides of the box.
You can buy special protective covers for downlighters,which i use in flats but these can be expensive.
Insulation covering any cable is not good but as pointed out before the effect on a lighting circuit cable is very small ...BUT... can reduce the life of the lamps themselves.

Things like this are of main concern. Thanks
 
festa said:
.
Insulation covering any cable is not good but as pointed out before the effect on a lighting circuit cable is very small ...BUT... can reduce the life of the lamps themselves.

With 12 volt lighting a 50 watt bulb is taking more than 4 amps. Cable size is critical.

Cable size is critical, so i recommend not to use such light lighting
 
Scan the entire forum, and you will find hundreds of theads (many not very OLD). These are diverse in content, covering many aspects of the electrical installation trade.

Yes, this thread seems to centre on thermal insulation over cables. BUT THAT IS THIS ONE THREAD.

Go read the others, and you will find a good cross section of what you are banging on about all over the place.

One thread is not going to cover every danger involved with the lecky in your home.

You say you have been in the building game? So are you a spark?

Tell us the requirements about bonding ina bathroom.....
 
festa said:
.
Insulation covering any cable is not good but as pointed out before the effect on a lighting circuit cable is very small ...BUT... can reduce the life of the lamps themselves.

With 12 volt lighting a 50 watt bulb is taking more than 4 amps. Cable size is critical.

Cable size is critical, so i recommend not to use such light lighting

Ha - Really - Joker!

My home has an 80amp supply. I recommend not to use that, even though the cable HAS BEEN SELECTED AND ERRECTED CORRECTLY.

ELV lighting is 100% safe when installed as required.
 
Scan the entire forum, and you will find hundreds of theads (many not very OLD). These are diverse in content, covering many aspects of the electrical installation trade.

Yes, this thread seems to centre on thermal insulation over cables. BUT THAT IS THIS ONE THREAD.

Go read the others, and you will find a good cross section of what you are banging on about all over the place.

One thread is not going to cover every danger involved with the lecky in your home.

You say you have been in the building game? So are you a spark?

Tell us the requirements about bonding ina bathroom.....




Im a builder with common sense and a wide knowledge of the building game. When i build an extension, it will only be me and my labourer turning up on the job to build and taking on all trades. Ive seen many extensions go up with the help of ten or twenty heads LOL.
 

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