Masonry drill v hidden 240V cable (flash bang wallop!!!)

[rh2705]

Wifey bought a Roman blind once - you know the type that you pull up with a cord and secure to a cleat.

The blind went up no problem, all I had to do was drill two holes two plugs bish bash bosh fasten cleat bobs your uncle.

Unfortunately where I wanted to secure the cleat there lurked beneath the plaster the 240V ring main - and my masonry drill bit punched it as close to dead centre as my eye would have done had I tried to do it deliberately. Although I did not receive an electric shock there was quite a bang!!!

The electric went off and as I retracted the drill a wee flame burned briefly through the hole.

I tend to turn the power off before drilling walls these days - lets hear it for cordless drills folks!!!!

 

[Monkeh]

Alternatively you could just check there isn't a cable present before drilling a hole.

 

[wotan]

Alternatively you could just check there isn't a cable present before drilling a hole.

Aw that takes the fun out of it

 

[wingcoax]

British Gas once drilled through the cooker cable at my sister-in-laws.

 

[londonboy]

Those pipe and cable locaters are pants so I dont bother, and very rarely do I hit anything, maybe once a year.

Got very wet last time though (pipe running at 45 degrees across a kitchen wall )