Old metal conduit

[ukants]

Hello folks,
Is it acceptable to re-use sections of old metal conduit on a house re-wire as long as you earth each piece to the socket/switch it leads to, or should it be completely ripped out and start again?
Cheers,
Ants

 

[Chivers7]

it offers protection to the cable so I can't see a problem re-using it, just be careful when pulling new cable though so the insulations isn't damaged etc..

 

[breezer]

ripped out and start again

2 twin and earth cables in a small conduit do not leave enough free space, you will also need to fit female bushes on the end, how you going to thread it if its in the wall?

I also say small condouit as it may be imperial size

 

[JohnD]

can you get a bush or something to put on that old conduit? It can be useful on a switch drop where it saves you chasing out the plaster.

Some of it is very thin and has an unwelded seam with slip joints, and some is thicker with screwed joints and boxes.

 

[breezer]

can you get a bush or something to put on that old conduit?

................ you will also need to fit female bushes on the end, how you going to thread it if its in the wall?.............

beat yah

 

[JohnD]

but can you get them to fit those old half-inch or 3/4" conduits? Especially the thin ones with no thread?

the thick ones are not so likely to scratch or cut into cables.

 

[ColJack]

maybe i misread it but i thought the OP just wanted to re-use the existing conduit runs in situ, and just run new wires in them?

there's no problem doing that.. it's no more dangerous to the cable than pulling new T+E down an old chase that is capped with metal capping.. ( that stuff can be like a razor sometimes, and may not always be in one piece, ie a join in it halfway down a wall )

 

[breezer]

JohnD, no offence mate, read my post again

ripped out and start again

2 twin and earth cables in a small conduit do not leave enough free space, you will also need to fit female bushes on the end, how you going to thread it if its in the wall?

I also say small condouit as it may be imperial size

ColJack

the OP said

Hello folks,
Is it acceptable to re-use sections of old metal conduit on a house re-wire as long as you earth each piece to the socket/switch it leads to, or should it be completely ripped out and start again?
Cheers,
Ants

Would you both not agree the OP said he only wants to use sections of old conduit? (since that is what he asked)

sections meaning bits of it, not all, so he can't pull 2 twin and earths down it (ring) can't strip t & e for some bits and not others.

old means it will be imperial (probably)

and since its sections and no matter what its size how will he put on a female bush if its still in the wall?

also as its diy and the OP asked, that would also imply he knows not how to do it anyway

I resereve the right to grovel if i read it wrong

 

[JohnD]

OK, you mean he probaby won't be able to do it.

My question (thinking particularly of switch drops, where 1 x 1.5mm T&E will fit in 1/2" conduit): can you get a ferrule or bush or something to fit and old conduit like that? especially the end that comes out into the loft

 

[breezer]

That bit i agree with (the switch drops, but what do you suppose the probability is of the conduit being

a) exactly the right height

b) haveing a threaded end where you need it

 

[JohnD]

Old house height and postion of light switches will be OK.

threaded or bushed end is the prob when you remove the old (probably round) box. But is there anything available to suit?

 

[breezer]

threaded or bushed end is the prob

exactly my whole point

 

[ColJack]

I still don't see where he says he will be re-fitting conduit to suit his new layout..

I still read it as he wants to use the existing conduits in their current places where the new sockets will be replacements for old.. in which case the ends should be threaded already and should have bushes to suit and just need the backboxes changed..

if they'll fit just use plastic thread adapters..

also. there is nothing to say that the conduits need to be threaded if he is not using them as an earth.. the oval stuff isn't.. it's just used as cable protection..

you can also get rubber ends to go over conduit.. just can't find them at the moment..

 

[breezer]

I still don't see where he says he will be re-fitting conduit to suit his new layout..

ColJacK he doesnt, he said

........Is it acceptable to re-use sections of old metal conduit..........

why you no read what he write ?

That is what is going to cause the problem

 

[ColJack]

if it;s still in the wall and a new socket is going in the place of it, or if it's a switch drop etc then the ends will already be threaded with couplers and male bushes..

there is nothing in the regs that says you have to use T+E throughout an an installation.. he can use singles to wire between sockets that are conected with conduit as the conduit provides the protection.. then change to T+E where the new sockets are..