Adapting/ Encorporating Vir/vri Cable

[steptoe]

deja vu   ??????

I'm sure I have seen this floor plan in a previous life,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I'm sure this thread has been done over before.

 

[Laurapora86]

ha ha. Ok you can... but I guess I won't rip it out!

Right...so.. i guess I'll re-google.... Is it possible to move MICC then? Can one bend it etc? Basically everyone i've shown it to has shook their heads and backed away... (it wasn't a qualified electrician that told me it was VIR. phew) Could I bend it upwards and run it through my celing and back down into the point where I want the new meter? Can it be extended? Sorry for wasting your time on the VRI very grateful that you've cleared that up for me!! 

yes steptoe...but from a different angle, the issue has evolved zzzzz I'll get there one day....

 

[ProDave]

There are two sides to this.

Is it "possible" yes of course it is.  If nothing else it could be terminated in an IP rated box and extended with another cable to another location.

but it all comes back to who's cable it is and getting them to do it or getting their permission for you (or your contractor) to do it.

Quite apart from anything else, to do is safely you have to have access to the distribution cupbpard downstairs to isolate it before doing any alterations to it.

But until you sort out who's cable it is and get their permission we are jsut speculating about what you might or might not be allowed to do.

 

[steptoe]

personally,

I wouldnt want to be bending and rebending pyro,

it can get iffy on the inside,

its probably the best cable in history, but, its made to be installed, and thats it,

modifications are possible, but not so easy,

as said previously,

2 things,

A  its before the meter, so you cant simply move it , its not yours to move,

B  finding someone competent enough with the proper tools and equipment and knowledge to work with pyro is becoming harder and harder as its nowadays seen as a fairly specialised cable by most.

 

[ProDave]

Can I add some more thoughts.

This looks like a purpose built flat, with concrete floors and ceilings.

What you are proposing is a major alteration the the whole wiring in the flat, probably a complete rewire from scratch.  That is going to be shall we say "a challenge" with no floor or ceiling void to run cables in.

Personally I think the idea has far too many difficulties to be feasible.

 

[Laurapora86]

There is some sort of ceiling void (my bedroom and living room lights run through it) is that what you mean? Thanks for your opinion... I'm really reluctant to give the idea up because of the value it would add, and because I have a fully grown idea in my head of how utterly brilliant it would all be once I was finished with it! 

Can an IP rated box be concealed in the wall, bareing in mind it will eventually be a bathroom wall?

This was the email I got from the council today..

“I would advise the leaseholder that for any works required internally to their property, that they  search for a  company from the attached NICEIC find a contractor link.

http://www.niceic.com/find-a-contractor/find-contractors

Unfortunately as the council have responsibility as the BNO ( Building Network Operator) for the electrical lateral mains, that serve the leaseholders dwelling, undertaking their own works to the landlords installation would not be allowed.

I would suggest that if they are rewiring their internal electrics, they leave provision for any future works that may be undertaken for wiring access etc. to any new metering position.”

However in my lease agreement it states that I have 'the right to the use and maintenance of the cables or other installations serving the flat for the supply of electricity'

I will ask the bno again (last time I only asked if I could have permission to commision the work from the stairwell (black box) into my flat, I havent yet asked permission for the adjustment of the end of the mains cable that's 'internal').

 

[Rob_the_rich]

do you have a plan drawing of your proposed layout of the flat/ I am intrigued as to how you envisage 2 beds from 1 bed.

there is probably a concrete ceiling with conduit embedded in it for the wires to the lights, and no void. so moving lighting positions might be challenging.

 

[NozSpark]

TBH it sounds like you're on a hiding to nothing here as they have said that you do not have permission to make any alterations to their supply cable

 

[Laurapora86]

Ah right ok, that makes sense. I haven't done a proper plan for the 2 bed but, from the rough drawing it would be knocking out the bathroom and leaving an L-shaped open plan living/kitchen room. (theyre all non-supporting walls).

NozSpark, duely noted   Would it mean drilling a passageway everywhere?

I've actually learnt how to fibreglass and gel coat an old victorian bath tub for the purpose of this a***ing bathroom... might have to make it into an elaborate planter now... if the council will give me permission to put it on my balcony! lol

 

[steptoe]

However in my lease agreement it states that I have 'the right to the use and maintenance of the cables or other installations serving the flat for the supply of electricity'

that means you have the right to use their cable, and they must maintain it,

with it being pyro, they have no fear of needing to spend money on it for the next 5 or 600 years probably.

 

[Laurapora86]

yes I did note that the wiki page had it's suggested usage as 'suitable for nuclear power plants'

 

[Rob_the_rich]

I see what you are saying about the L-shape, but I think a bathroom for 2 beds is a must. Shower-only is for youngster friends and you might want to pitch for families too.

From your drawing, how about moving the whole living room uppermost wall to the edge of the chimneybreast, creating a narrow second bedroom. Then get rid of the doorway to the kitchen (assuming it is from the hall- it is not shown in drawing). you would still have an L-shaped kitchen/living room, and a bathroom.

 

[Doc Hudson]

May I also add that whoever told you it was VIR was seriously misinformed and if you do rip it out can I have it for my shed? :innocent

I will also add that the very same Blue Duck, on this very forum told you it was Pyro back on 11 May, see post 3 http://talk.electricianforum.co.uk/topic/28144-mantel-unit-re-site/

Doc H.

 

[Doc Hudson]

Is that rough sketch plan the only drawing you have got so far? I would suggest the first thing to do is get a proper scale drawing of how you hope it will finally look, then include some scale furniture in place, beds, chairs, wardrobes, settees etc, to see if there is enough room to move around open the doors with the basic furniture you will need.

Doc H.

 

[Blue Duck]

Ahhh.....I knew I'd seen it before!!

:lol:

I wonder what the rest is wired in? singles in conduit would be my guess but could be pyro again, good luck moving that!

 

[Laurapora86]

Yeah I've done other digital drawings and the furniture will fit. Also the other option of moving the wall... I thought about it but I doubt the council will let me move a supporting wall... Might try that option now though. So the overall answer is no? I can't do it? :-( thanks for everyone's help and advice

 

[kerching]

Internally it could even be wired in that F awful "pre wired" conduit...looked like Metaflex