Surface Trunking

[chriswyatt]

I own a small studio flat which I am renovating. The existing ring main wiring is rubbish and I am therefore going to rewire it. It's not as big a job as it sounds as the flat is really just a rectangular area with bits taken off for a bathroom and kitchen. I am not a qualified electrician but have a BT engineer background, have obtained all of the BS7671 documentation and understand about notification to the BCO. In order to make installation as easy as possible, I intend to run virtually all of the wiring in surface mounted proprietary PVC trunking - skirting, dado, and mini as appropriate. However, I cannot find any direct reference to this in the regulations. Does anyone know of any restrictions or limitations on the use of PVC trunking.

 

[sparkybird]

Only from the style police!

SB

 

[Steve]

Because surface trunking is visible, and people can see that it obviously contains electrickery, there are no regs on safe zones etc, as there are when burying cable in plaster. So you can run it diagonally, in an L shape, however you like. Though following the safe zones does tend to look neater!

 

[ColJack]

I am not a qualified electrician

then stop what you are doing and call in a qualified sparky..

if you are fitting new circuits ( which you are in a total re-wire ) then you need to notify the BCO.

also, the cost of dado and skirting trunking is more than you would pay to have the walls chased and re-platered.. the wires will cost the same..

it also looks cheap and tacky.. it's fine for an office or comercial environment, but not in your home..

if it's for student accomodation then I see the lure of doing it cheap and tacky, but if you ever come to sell it, then surface wiring is a huge turn off to potential buyers..

since it's a total re-wire, sockets will need to be 450 from the floor precluding the use of skirting trunking anyway..

 

[JOHNBOY42]

If you are renovating this is a ideal chance to chase out and put steel conduit in,trunking is cheap and nasty and nobody would not do it this way unless you have to.............BT background...............is that on reception!

 

[chriswyatt]

Thanks for the info. about the regulations. Much appreciated. However, I didn't actually ask for smart-arse comments on final appearance, chasing and plastering, BCO notification, and height of sockets, and insults, even grammatically incorrect ones, just reflect on the giver not the receiver. Still, whatever turns you on, I suppose.

 

[RF Lighting]

I didn't actually ask for smart-a**e comments on final appearance, chasing and plastering, BCO notification, and height of sockets

I really couldn't give a flying f*ck wether you asked for this information or not TBH.

If it is relevent to your situation then it will be advised. We are only trying to help, and in the majority of cases this often flags up a problem or better idea that the OP had not considered.

If you are having to ask this sort of question, then you have to ask your self if you are competent to be carrying out this job.

Getting in a huff with folk will never help you get the information you want. All the contributers on this site do so for free in there spare time, because we are nice people who want to help folk out.

 

[Tim 77]

Thanks for the info. about the regulations. Much appreciated. However, I didn't actually ask for smart-a**e comments on final appearance, chasing and plastering, BCO notification, and height of sockets, and insults, even grammatically incorrect ones, just reflect on the giver not the receiver. Still, whatever turns you on, I suppose.

Now look what you've all done, Chris is upset now!

I hope you're all pleased with your grammatically incorrect comments.

 

[chriswyatt]

I asked a question. Two people gave a helpful response. Two others assumed I was a total dickhead, one of which included a completely uncalled for insult. What did you expect?

 

[markie]

I'm RF getting mad

 

[Tim 77]

Two others assumed I was a total d******d,

dampened darkened dead end
deadened deadhead deaf aid
deafened deathbed debarked
decanted deceased deceived
declared declined decocted
deducted deepened defatted
defeated defected defended
deferred deflated deformed
defrayed dejected deloused
demanded demeaned demented
demisted demurred dendroid
departed depended depicted
deplaned depleted deplored
deployed deported depraved
deprived deranged descried
deserted deserved designed
desisted despised destined


Or none of the above?

 

[chriswyatt]

'deaf aid' and 'dead end' don't count as they are two words.

 

[Tim 77]

Nice website Chris, may I call you on the phone number there?


http://www.specialistassignments.co.uk/index.html

 

[chriswyatt]

Thanks. Feel free!

 

[plugwash]

its understandable to do wiring surface if its a small addition or emergency fix and you want to do it quickly preserving existing decor but putting in surface wiring as part of a renovation is almost certainly a descision you will regret. It is liable to have a negative impact on both the value and the salability of the property.

and if you stay living in the property yourself you will constantly be annoyed by boxes sticking out of the wall providing places to knock yourself on and making it impossible to push furniture properly against the wall.