Wiring Question - when finished

[willtd]

Hi

I have sunk my new metal boxes for light switches, and I have cut channels out for the wire up the wall (But not across the ceiling as I am lowering the ceiling anyway). I live in an old stone house, and on the exteria wall I have channeled back to the stone through the plaster.

My question is - what do I fill the channels with once the cables are in place?

many thanks

 

[benjiman]

I filled mine up with thistle bonding. Brush in some watered down pva into the channel and then apply the bonding.

I left mine rough, but made sure that none of it was sticking out from the wall. (Use a flat edge eg. metal ruler and scrap off the excess)Then got polyfiller and filled in the gaps and sanded smooth.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Don't forget that the cables should be run in

a) preferably - conduit

b) failing that capping.

 

[plugwash]

im pretty sure you can bury direct when retrofitting

capping it to protect cables from the plasters trowl when replastering a wall

if you want to run cables outside of permitted routes you need earthed metal conduit

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I was just talking about should, not must. I just think it's cheap and tacky to bury cables in such a way that you can't pull new ones in the future.

 

[securespark]

I find a good way to deal with channels is to fill with bonding, smooth down with float towel, then finish. (With finish!)

 

[willtd]

Thanks for the replies guys

If I put the cables in trunking and sink it, is it ok just to plaster over the trunking?

Can you recommend any products i could use?

Bear in mind I will probably be tiling over the area afterwards

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm pretty sure conduit is cheaper than trunking....

 

[willtd]

I am thinking of using the white plastic square stuff you can get in B&Q

 

[ban-all-sheds]

http://www.electricalshop.net/acatalog/White_2.html

 

[murraysnudge]

That's for surface mounting though. Surely the best stuff for burying is the oval pvc? 20mm oval only measures 12mm over the narrow side.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Sorry - copied the wrong link.

http://www.electricalshop.net/acatalog/Oval.html

Mind you, if you can bury the round stuff, it's better for pulling cables thru.

And it's cheaper.

 

[murraysnudge]

That's better B-A-S; I like the oval 'cos you can stick it to the wall with 'no nails' type stuff and don't need to chase the wall. I personally would use the one coat plaster to fill the chase.