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t27d.txt
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1998-10-08
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Summary
This task gives information about the electrical wiring in the
house, which is usually concealed behind the wall plaster or
run in the void (space) between floors.
1 Safety first
2 Seeking professional help or advice
3 Preparation
4 Types of wall construction
5 Removing a small strip of wallpaper for the
channel
6 Cutting channels and fixing to masonry
7 Fixing recess plates to plaster board
8 Running cable through
dry wall partitioning
9 Running cables under floors
Step 1 - Safety first
Never work on any part of the electrical installation
without first switching off the supply at the consumer
unit and, where possible, removing the circuit fuse.
Always unplug any electrical appliance before doing
any work on it. Check all connections are secure and
all covers have been replaced before you turn the
electricity on again.
Step 2 - Seeking professional help or advice
If you donÆt feel competent to do a particular job,
always seek the advice of a professional electrician.
Make sure that any person you hire is fully qualified.
A person registered with the Electrical Contractors
Association/ NICEIC, will be approved for undertaking
this type of work and will be well versed in all the
wiring regulations for electrical installations in
buildings.
Step 3 - Preparation
Even small modifications to the wiring will generally
involve some chasing of channels in the plaster. DonÆt
be put off by the thought of the likely mess or the
possible damage to room decoration. With a little
planning and care whilst undertaking the work, the
disruption should be minimal. On completion, the
surface can be restored to its original condition
without any need for extensive redecoration.
Step 4 - Types of wall construction.
The internal walls in the home are normally either
plaster surface on a masonry wall or plaster board
stud construction. Very modern houses can also have
proprietary dry partitions for non-load bearing
walls or partitions.
Step 5 - Removing a small strip of wallpaper for
the channel
Using the edge of a builders 600mm spirit level, on
the wall mark out a 250mm wide strip for the position
of the channel to be chased out. Then, using a steel
straight edge and a sharp blade cut down either side
of the wallpaper. This provides a good edge for
re-papering up to when the job is completed. Very
carefully, ease off this strip of wallpaper.
Step 6 - Cutting channels and fixing to masonry
At the appropriate height, hold the metal mounting box
against the wall and mark round it with a pencil.
Then mark out the channel to be chased out. Using a
bolster or a cold chisel cut away the plaster
within the marked areas. Cut the channel partially
into the brick work, and to recess the metal box,
use a masonry drill to bore a series of holes and
then cut away with a cold chisel.
Step 7 - Fixing recess plates to plaster board
For a studded or a dry lined wall, it is fairly easy
to cut out a close fitting hole to recess the metal
box. Cables can be fished through the cavity between
the plasterboards, although, there may be some
difficulty when passing cables around any horizontal
struts or noggins.
Step 8 - Running cable through dry wall partitioning
The cutting out and fixing of metal boxes is similar
to the methods used for studded wall partitions.
To run the cables vertically through the honeycomb
supports between the outer boards, a series of
slots can be cut above each other at about 250mm
spacing. Use a metal rod to clear a path for the
cable running between slots.
Step 9 - Running cables under flooring
Use a small cutting disc to cut the tongue on both sides.
Lift the floorboard at a join using a bolster, otherwise
prise up near the middle. Wedge up the board and saw
across central to the joist underneath. Where cables
run across the joists pass through holes drilled
in the centre.