Just started digging out some wires in the kitchen with a view to moving
a socket up from skirting level to worktop level, and thereby saving
myself the trouble of running new wires, and discovered that they are
encased in steel channel, much like this:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SC1.html

This is a PITA, since it looks like I'll havve to dig the whole lot out
or at the very least cut the wires, channel new wiring, and join with a
junction box in the loft. I can't see a way to cut the steel without
practically guaranteeing that I damage the cable inside.

I can see the advantages of this - it protects the cable, and means the
original kitchen fitters don't have to worry about where exactly the
cables are - but is there any reason why I should need to use a similar
scheme when I run my new wiring (which will be nothing fancy, just
standard twin core & earth). Not aware of any, and it seems unlikely,
but thought I'd check!

Ben

On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:09:25 GMT, Ben Blaukopf
strung together this:

I can't see a way to cut the steel without
practically guaranteeing that I damage the cable inside.

You can do it, but it takes skill and precision! Best bet is to pull
it away from the wall and cut it where you want, this way the cables
aren't directly below the channel.

but is there any reason why I should need to use a similar
scheme when I run my new wiring (which will be nothing fancy, just
standard twin core & earth).

For the sake of a couple of drops you should be fine without it.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd
Please reply to group or use 'usenet' in email subject

On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:09:25 GMT, Ben Blaukopf
strung together this:

I can't see a way to cut the steel without
practically guaranteeing that I damage the cable inside.




Surely all you need to do is expose about a foot length of the cladding
centered on the position of the new socket.
Chop everything at the lower end and ease wire out of cladding as Lurch
suggests and chop cladding where new socket going.

Regards
Pete
www.thecanalshop.com

On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 10:14:38 +0000 (UTC), "Peter Stockdale"
wrote:


On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:09:25 GMT, Ben Blaukopf
strung together this:

I can't see a way to cut the steel without
practically guaranteeing that I damage the cable inside.




Surely all you need to do is expose about a foot length of the cladding
centered on the position of the new socket.
Chop everything at the lower end and ease wire out of cladding as Lurch
suggests and chop cladding where new socket going.

Hi,

Cutting the channel would be a piece of cake with an angle grinder,
especially with a thin blade. Or cut almost all the way through and
knock out with a chisel held at a low angle but in the direction of
the cut.

cheers,
Pete.

On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 19:28:40 +0000, Pete C
strung together this:

Cutting the channel would be a piece of cake with an angle grinder,
especially with a thin blade. Or cut almost all the way through and
knock out with a chisel held at a low angle but in the direction of

Angle grinder and chisel, a couple of mm from some cables? Yes,
that'll work.................
It's only a piece of flimsy steel, a pair of side cutters will do.
--

SJW
A.C.S. Ltd
Please reply to group or use 'usenet' in email subject

In article ,
Pete C wrote:
Cutting the channel would be a piece of cake with an angle grinder,
especially with a thin blade. Or cut almost all the way through and
knock out with a chisel held at a low angle but in the direction of
the cut.

Crikey. Sounds like a recipe for cutting through the cable too. I'd use
some decent sidecutters to cut the steel channel - or rather bend it so it
fractures.

--
*Failure is not an option. It's bundled with your software.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Lurch wrote:
On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 19:28:40 +0000, Pete C
strung together this:


Cutting the channel would be a piece of cake with an angle grinder,
especially with a thin blade. Or cut almost all the way through and
knock out with a chisel held at a low angle but in the direction of


Angle grinder and chisel, a couple of mm from some cables? Yes,
that'll work.................
It's only a piece of flimsy steel, a pair of side cutters will do.

It turned out to be pretty easy with a junior hacksaw. Hardest bit was
getting the thing flat enough afterwards to replaster over the top.

Ben