what do regs say about...

[thatbloke]

Surface mounting cable from a junction box to a surface mount light switch?
Does it have to be sheathed?
And if not , is there any way this type of wire , or wire similar to this can be used?

http://www.periodlightingshop.com/shop/items.php?Pid=2&Ct1=2&id=9&Cid=&Pid=2

 

[Adam_151]

Yes, surface clipped cables have to be of a sheathed type ... unsheathed conductors are only permitted inside containment... but I suspect thats not the question you wanted to ask...

 

[thatbloke]

Ooops , no ,sorry I meant in conduit.

 

[SgtTrojan]

Interesting cable. If the braiding means that it affords sufficient mechanical protection for the insulated conductors then it will be ok. This type of cable is not listed as a cable type in BS7671:2008 so I would contact the supplier/ manufacturer. Ask them if it meets the minimum requirements for surface mounted installations and where they recommend it be installed in a containment system, i.e. conduit. This would be defeating the purpose of its design though wouldn't it?

 

[thatbloke]

thats what i thought. What is the spec for cable for a connection between a junction box and light switch? I would assume its the same as the lighting circuit. Can i use stranded or does it have to be solid core?

More cables here in the 'decorative' section with detailed spec.

http://www.cablespecialists.co.uk/home.htm

The thing is I am using repro antique brass and china light switches and running a length of flat Gray twin and earth wont really look too nice at all.

 

[SgtTrojan]

Minimum 3 cores. Brown sleeve / tape around blue conductor.

 

[thatbloke]

Thats all that is required? So stranded is ok to use?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Thats all that is required? So stranded is ok to use?

Sure, just as long as it has suitable current-carrying capacity and meets the environmental conditions.

There is nothing to stop you wiring a whole house with flexible stranded cable.

 

[JohnD]

Ooops , no ,sorry I meant in conduit.

Just to check, if you are really going to put it in conduit, what is the point of buying expensive ornamental fabric-covered twisted wire?

 

[thatbloke]

Thats the thing , if I had to put this kind of cable in conduit I wouldn't bother using it in the first place.
Thanks chaps.

 

[Donkmeister]

Modern cables use high-tech plastics as insulating coatings. Many, for domestic, relatively low voltage use, in fact have two different plastic layers as ours does under the fabric outer covering.

Cable is double-insulated, plus presumably the twist keeps it together as sheath would.

The question nagging in my mind: was cable such as this ever surface mounted?

I'm aware of the "wires strung between ceramic insulators" approach, but I thought after that they went to wooden trunking for retrofit and buried cables for new-build. Not sure if this sort of cable was ever intended for surface mount (even if some may have used it as such).

Or is this some sort of steampunk project, "the history that never was", as it were?

 

[thatbloke]

Not really trying to be historically correct and it does have to be surface mount , perhaps a black rubber sheathed cable might be more fitting?
Knob and tube was the old wiring method , was done in the 20's i think.
Wooden conduit sounds interesting but all the studs that the timber cable has to attach to are quite uneven so it would be difficult.

 

[Donkmeister]

Well, if you ever want some incredibly perished lead-sheathed VIR cable, there is a LOT of it left in my house (which was supposedly rewired in 1998).

Sounds like an interesting project you have there, can you post any pictures?

 

[thatbloke]

Sure, its in a bit of a state but if you can look past the mess you might see a nice old cottage in there somewhere.



And of course the obligatory old house destroying cement render and bubble gum sandtex exterior gunk.

 

[Buzx1313]

one thing to mention..

down here in cornwall we install the cables in the loft of a thatched cottages in conduit ..

they attract a lot of mice..