Metal Capping?

[ITS]

Just want to put this one out there...

How many of you use metal capping or metal conduit to protect cables chased in walls?

Is this a requirement when the circuit is protected by RCD?

 

[Doc Hudson]

I don't think metal capping is classed as protection for cables buried in walls, it is easily penetrated by a nail and is not earthed so has no relevance to the RCD question.

Doc H.

 

[bulmer]

I use metal capping, only to protect against he cable being damaged by other trades though.

Don't like the plastic stuff, never wants to hold yer cables in place.

 

[Apache]

Just want to put this one out there...How many of you use metal capping or metal conduit to protect cables chased in walls?

Is this a requirement when the circuit is protected by RCD?

I understand you can use an earthed steel plate to protect cables in a wall without RCD protection. Metal capping is thin and could easily be punctured by a picture nail - a 2or3mm steel plate would put up a good fight against a brass nail.

Is this the confusion?

:|

 

[matt.leung]

i have only used it once, to protect an earth cable that had to run down an external wall at low level....

 

[PC Electrics]

I hate capping. Maybe they used to when it's use was more widespread, but they definately don't double-press it these days (to keep costs down) and so the edges are burred and often very sharp. I've seen some very serious cut injuries in the automotive industry due to sharp panel edges.

On top of that it does not count as mechanical protection being so thin (usually 0.7mm, sometimes less). 3mm is generally recommended for mech protection, though I'd have thought 2mm would be sufficient in most instances (domestic).

I just clip cables to most walls. They become encapsulated when the boarding is glued on. If a plasterer is likely to be wet plastering the wall I will consult to see if he's happy to plaster over exposed cables. I might use capping if it was a plasterer who I didn't know though.

 

[monkey5]

ive just had this sam problem i dont normally cap cables (to keey cost down) just clip confirmed with customer and they wer fine with this. gets a phone call 2 days later "plasterer said cables HAVE to be capped by the regs and will not proceed till this is done", "fine ill do it but it doesnt have to be done and i havent quoted for it in the price" i said.

wouldnt have minded but had problems with there plumber too coz he was to lazy to move his boiler 2 inches across so had to relocate all circuits to a new position so as not too close to his boiler/pipes etc.

capping pins are a pain in the A*** too- ping ping ouch!!

 

[~Sparky~]

We had a customer ask us if capping is required and we were pretty sure it was as the cables were to be plasterd over..... until a call to Select.... they put us rite and said no mechanical protection is not req if the cables are run in safe zones and RCD protected, enclosing the cables in capping or conduit etc is just good workmanship, so we were told.

 

[vandalay]

I will usually put capping over cables where I think some rough ar*ed plasterer is going to slice them.

 

[Andy™]

capping is only to protect cables from plasterer. it will not offer much resistance to nails or a drill. after all, most people put a nail through the capping into cement to hold it into place.

 

[Cirrus]

I always use capping - the plastic variety. As previously said, it protects against the razor edge of a dopey plasterers trowel. However, although not a reg, I deem it to be particularly good practice - the same as earthing back boxes and doubling over conductors.

 

[nutsy]

I always use capping - the plastic variety. As previously said, it protects against the razor edge of a dopey plasterers trowel. However, although not a reg, I deem it to be particularly good practice - the same as earthing back boxes and doubling over conductors.

also using capping can sometimes allow you to pull your cables back/pull new ones thro if needed. cant do that if plastered straight over cables, damamage to decs etc. also thought that plaster can degrade sheathing over time.

 

[~Sparky~]

also thought that plaster can degrade sheathing over time.

Not any more..... there is no lime in plaster now a days.

 

[batty]

I always cap cables on new builds and extensions, On rewires use 20mm or 25 mm round conduit. I cannot believe any electrician will not go to the trouble of covering cables but nothing suprises me these days. On a job today the so called sparks had put a ring main in the kitchen along with two other ring mains in the house all on 20 amp mcb's and he thinks that is ok. and he doesn't use capping.

 

[Voltimax]

Well opinions are like A holes. Everyone has one

 

[bulmer]

ive just had this sam problem i dont normally cap cables (to keey cost down) just clip confirmed with customer and they wer fine with this. gets a phone call 2 days later "plasterer said cables HAVE to be capped by the regs and will not proceed till this is done", "fine ill do it but it doesnt have to be done and i havent quoted for it in the price" i said. wouldnt have minded but had problems with there plumber too coz he was to lazy to move his boiler 2 inches across so had to relocate all circuits to a new position so as not too close to his boiler/pipes etc.

capping pins are a pain in the A*** too- ping ping ouch!!

Thats why they invented clout nails lol

 

[Megaohm7]

I hate capping. Maybe they used to when it's use was more widespread, but they definately don't double-press it these days (to keep costs down) and so the edges are burred and often very sharp. I've seen some very serious cut injuries in the automotive industry due to sharp panel edges.On top of that it does not count as mechanical protection being so thin (usually 0.7mm, sometimes less). 3mm is generally recommended for mech protection, though I'd have thought 2mm would be sufficient in most instances (domestic).

I just clip cables to most walls. They become encapsulated when the boarding is glued on. If a plasterer is likely to be wet plastering the wall I will consult to see if he's happy to plaster over exposed cables. I might use capping if it was a plasterer who I didn't know though.

I just clip cables in their chases where i can and I use bonding plaster to cover the cable with care then the plasterer just puts a finish coat. I've not had any problems this way as I can't get on with capping

 

[Badger]

capping always used by me

 

[lilman]

I just clip cables in their chases where i can and I use bonding plaster to cover the cable with care then the plasterer just puts a finish coat. I've not had any problems this way as I can't get on with capping

Same here - never had any problems over the years; just the occassional other tradesman who swears that capping (plastic or otherwise) is a requirement.

 

[davetheglitz]

I just clip cables in their chases where i can and I use bonding plaster to cover the cable with care then the plasterer just puts a finish coat. I've not had any problems this way as I can't get on with capping

I use tie wrap bases and tie wraps to secure the cable/ cables followed by plasterboard adhesive - is that the same as bonding plaster? Sets rock hard and has got me out of trouble when securing back boxes to dodgy walls!

Starting to use oval conduit - don't have to chase as wide as capping and can secure it down with a few well placed screws.

Can't understand why no-one has produced a metal oval conduit.