Installing New light swithes and power sockets

[H00P]

I have just bought an old 1930 build flat and the electrics have been redone but are running outside the wall in trunkings. I have managed to grind into the concrete walls for the cabling but trying to carve into the wall for the switches is a nightmare. Can someone tell me do I have to embed the plastic boxes in the wall or can i get away with just embedding the switch into the wall without the box and using the concrete as a holder for the wires.

Thanks

Hoop

 

[flameport]

Can someone tell me do I have to embed the plastic boxes in the wall

No. Plastic boxes are designed to be surface mounted. Metal ones are used in the wall.

or can i get away with just embedding the switch into the wall without the box and using the concrete as a holder for the wires.

No, you need an enclosure for the wires. With no backbox, there won't be anything to attach the switches / sockets to either.

As for the wires, if you mean PVC covered twin and earth, then they can be buried directly in the wall. If the wires are singles, then these also require an enclosure such as trunking or conduit.

trying to carve into the wall for the switches is a nightmare

Now you know why the wiring was in surface trunking.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

trying to carve into the wall for the switches is a nightmare.

What tools are you using for this?

 

[rssteve]

and remember to use grommets, any chance you could post a few pictures up