Options For Running/Routing a SPUR.

[elimn8or]

Hi all,

I have a very simple problem and would like to find the best way of solving. I have just had a fireplace installed and need to run a 3-amp fused spur for it powerflue fan. Obviously this is in my living room and the distance from the nearest socket on the ring main is only about 400 mm. Usually I would go in the dry wall, but because of the artificial chimney cavity, I have about 3 vertical partition beams in the way. This would be hard work to route the cable through the dry wall! What I was wondering is..... could I run a conduit/trunking the short distance from the socket, down to the skirting, then following the skirting to where i need the fused spur socket? Or, behind skirting? Or, does it have to go in the dry wall? Whats easiest legal way of doing this? I would like to avoid going through plasterboard and joists etc.....

 

[pcboffinuk]

Hi elimn8or,

If you use surface mounted trunking you can run it where you like, as it is visible and obvious, so your suggestion sounds fine.

Running it behind the skirting would need some form of protection to avoid nail penetration (You can buy skirting trunking which replaces the skirting board and would be ok though it doesn't look that attractive)

Obviously you need to check that the nearest socket is on the ring, and not already spurred from, but otherwise you should be ok.

Hope that Helps

Gavin

 

[elimn8or]

I made a point of checking the socket I intend to run the SPUR from is on the ring. Im not sure what trunking to use - is there any particular truncking I should be looking at or you would recommend? The skirting board trunking sounds interesting. In a couple of weeks i will be laying wooden floor and as a result changing the old cheap dowdy skirting with new. Maybe, if the end result is pleasing to the eye this may be an option. Any names/brands you can throw at me on this?

 

[ColJack]

what do you define as a "vertical partition beam"?

do you mean the studs in the stud wall?

you could put the spur cable through the cavity down to the skirting when you remove it, then channel out the drywall behind the skirting and put a metal plate or some capping over it and GLUE the new skirting on..

 

[pcboffinuk]

Im not sure what trunking to use - is there any particular trunking I should be looking at or you would recommend?

The generic name you are looking for is mini trunking, such as here
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Trunking_Pvc_Index/index.html

For a single spur in 2.5mm you can just about get away with 16x16mm trunking (you should not use more than 45% of the available space to allow for heat dissipation etc.) though if you are ever likely to run more you might want to put 25x16 in now. You can buy a socket back box with holes premade for the trunking and they are generally designed to take 25mmx16mm directly.

The skirting board trunking sounds interesting. In a couple of weeks i will be laying wooden floor and as a result changing the old cheap dowdy skirting with new. Maybe, if the end result is pleasing to the eye this may be an option. Any names/brands you can throw at me on this?

Your local DIY shed will probably have some trunking so you can look at it and decide, but the skirting trunking I've seen has looked rather naff - someone else may know of a higher quality brand.

Regards

Gavin

 

[plugwash]

i belive some vendors sell hollow wooden skirting meant to take cables but i'd be very wary of using it for mains because noone would know it had cables in unless they drilled through it and into one.

the big plastic skirting/dado trunking is fine in a commercial environment but not really a nice choice for a house.

you could use firetuff ( http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Firetuf/index.html ) its a bit on the pricey side as its mainly intended for fire alarms but the earthed metal screen means it is also suitable for taking hidden power cuircuits outside the safe zones.