Self building and DIY
Mar 19th 2010, 8:29 pm
#16
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Self building and DIY
Hi,
I see that the OP is over 1 month old, so I hope this advice isn't too late,
but the flexible tube for cables comes in various sizes, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm and 32mm ( there are larger sizes, but they are not normally used in domestic wiring) and you should use at least 25mm between the junction boxes, as there rules about how many cables can be installed into the tubes, so if in doubt use the largest you can. The tubes from the junction box down to the switch or socket can be much smaller as these usually will only carry 3 or 4 cables.
Do keep the runs horizontal or vertical so that when you come to hang a picture or a shelf you will be able to avoid drilling through live cables, not a pleasant experience, and I've got the scars to prove it! Another point to remember is to not to make the bends too sharp as this will make the pulling in of the cables much easier.
I would always advise that planning the positioning of sockets very carefully, particularly in the kitchen, in my view you can't have too many sockets in a kitchen, DON'T put a socket where the kitchen sink will be, as I said plan everything.
The list of rules is endless, so I would advise getting a qulified electrician to to help with the planning of the system.
I see that the OP is over 1 month old, so I hope this advice isn't too late,
but the flexible tube for cables comes in various sizes, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm and 32mm ( there are larger sizes, but they are not normally used in domestic wiring) and you should use at least 25mm between the junction boxes, as there rules about how many cables can be installed into the tubes, so if in doubt use the largest you can. The tubes from the junction box down to the switch or socket can be much smaller as these usually will only carry 3 or 4 cables.
Do keep the runs horizontal or vertical so that when you come to hang a picture or a shelf you will be able to avoid drilling through live cables, not a pleasant experience, and I've got the scars to prove it! Another point to remember is to not to make the bends too sharp as this will make the pulling in of the cables much easier.
I would always advise that planning the positioning of sockets very carefully, particularly in the kitchen, in my view you can't have too many sockets in a kitchen, DON'T put a socket where the kitchen sink will be, as I said plan everything.
The list of rules is endless, so I would advise getting a qulified electrician to to help with the planning of the system.
