Rewire

[Rob69]

Hi All,

Good news first, just passed the 2391!!!!!!

Anyway , I have got my first house rewire to do!!!!!

Could you tell me how easy it is to pull new cables through using existing cables in walls(with capping). Is this difficult at the best of times and more often require re chasing particularly with ring circuits????

Thanks Rob

 

[Apache]

Well done Rob

Don't know the answer to your question, I'd have guessed 'it depends'

 

[ianmacd]

You may get lucky and have metal conduit embedded in the wall that you can run cables down but more likely you will be chipping off the cement (why do most sparks use cement as I use ready mixed plaster as its easier to finish after?) with a chisel.

I have tried to run cables down capping before and get so frustrated when it gets caught on something about 5 inches from the bottom and end up hammering it anyway waisting 3 times as much time as if I had just done it to start with.

Congrats on 2391 too.

Ian.

 

[a1]

Congratulations on passing your 2391 and on your first post here.

Have a virtual pint from our Virtual bar on me... Guinness

Applaud Smiley

 

[PC Electrics]

Welcome to the forum.

1. There is the practical problem of getting the new cables through. If you can access both ends of the capping then I've found it to be something of a 50/50 affair. It doesn't take much to stop you pulling through even though it sounds easy enough - debris in the channel, a rough or out of line brick. Sometimes the capping stops just short at each end.

2. There is the regulatory problem that if the house is old, the original cable run may not have been vertical and may therefore not comply to the permitted zones. Personally I don't think one should put new cables along an old route for such a major job as a rewire if it doesn't comply with BS7671:2008.

I've given up trying to pull cables through existing capping unless it's necessary to keep the place clean and just get the angle grinder out now. If the customer wants me to try, then they have to accept there may be a time (cost) penalty.

 

[sellers]

I'd say 50/50, if you can use the existing cable as a draw wire you may have a bit of luck, takes time though.

 

[extension15]

Hi All,Good news first, just passed the 2391!!!!!!

Anyway , I have got my first house rewire to do!!!!!

Could you tell me how easy it is to pull new cables through using existing cables in walls(with capping). Is this difficult at the best of times and more often require re chasing particularly with ring circuits????

Thanks Rob

Well Done..

Applaud SmileyApplaud Smiley

 

[extension15]

Hi All,Good news first, just passed the 2391!!!!!!

Anyway , I have got my first house rewire to do!!!!!

Could you tell me how easy it is to pull new cables through using existing cables in walls(with capping). Is this difficult at the best of times and more often require re chasing particularly with ring circuits????

Thanks Rob

Not easy by any means, if it's older capping, on a decent wall, you might just get lucky. Perhaps give it a try, but dont spend all day about it, otherwise you just as well chase the old capping out, much quicker..

 

[batty]

Recently managed to pull a new piece of 2.5 through on the old ladies flat that had been nailed. This was plastic capping which I find tends to be easier than metal as it seems to have a little more room behind it. If you do try it you need to ensure cables are well secured. You can strip them back and then twist them round or what I did was crimp cables with through connector. You need to ensure the join is no bigger than the depth and width of the cable otherwise it will never go through. You will also need somebody guiding cable as you push it through and keep it flat. Good luck if you do do it as you will need a lot of luck for it to work.

Batty

 

[Evans Electric]

As Batman says and definitely two handed, the worst thing with flat cables is if they twist, keep 'em nice and flat ,take your time ,as said , the hook-up should not be larger than the cable, a wind of tape to reduce the shoulder and squodge some soap on it .

Worth a try even if you only get to ,say 4" above the socket .

One twin to a light switch should be a piece of urine , hook on to the old bable (or even the old cable!! )

If you can get them down it saves hours in patching up.

Deke

 

[NozSpark]

I rewired the lighting circuit in a newly decorated bungalow...

1st... all drops to switches had to be in 1.0mm T&E ---- wouldn't have a hope with 1.5mm!!

2nd... make sure cable stays flat and doesn't twist

3rd... had a problem with snots of mortar on one drop (2" above switch),, sorted it by bending open my junior hacksaw and stuffing it up and wriggling it about.. (will have to get something better for next time! (maybe some threaded bar???)

At some other properties after a bit of messing about I've had to chop the wall (especially if out of safe zones!!)

 

[extension15]

I managed to do 2 bungalow rewires (lighting circuits only) with no real issues (existing capping in walls)...

1mm was used.................

Although 1 drop in particular took me 2 hours................. :coat

 

[Andy™]

sometimes there just isnt any possible way. sometimes there is a little room so tight, but will go. and others you could drag meter tails through.

best way to attach is to fully strip all insulation so you just have 3 cores. make a loop with it. thread other cable though and twist round to secure. and make sure its all flat. rarely fails, even with loads of force

 

[Apache]

Wrap the join with a bit of insulating tape to stop it catching on anything?

 

[ianmacd]

There may also not be any capping anyway and the cable may have just been embedded in the plaster/cement.

Ian.

 

[Andy™]

Wrap the join with a bit of insulating tape to stop it catching on anything?

not always necessary, but can help stop it catching

 

[M107]

I loop the cpc of new cable to the stripped conductors of the old cable.

Use a cable tidy so cable reels off nice & flat plus stuff a small bit of rag soaked with lubricant between cable & capping (stops scuffing the sheath if you are pulling through on your own).

 

[Andy™]

a roadwork sign frame makes an excellent cable stand - just add 2 brackets & a metal bar...