steveg22 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Hi,I recently demolished a raised granite fireplace/hearth and found buried inside the morter - 1 cable to the chau eau (which I cut through and temporarily repaired) and more worryingly a very thick tube inside of which is the mains cable (meter tails?) - thankfully I didn't cut into this! These cables run behind block walls from EDF's box to the tableau in the utility room - 10m approx. I am replacing the raised fireplace with a low slate hearth and installing a woodburner and I need the these cables to run under the hearth. 1) Can I cut into the mains cable (turn supply off at EDF's box) and lengthen the cable to re-route under the slate hearth2) Is 16mm cable the correct size.3) Rigid tube for the conduit 4) Are chocolate box connectors OK for a permanent joint behind the walls?Any help/advice etc gratefully receivedThanksSteve (Dept 22)PS. I have waited for an electrician to come and do this work since October but as yet the work hasn't been done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 You did say any help, I would certainly take advice from a professional registered electrician for this type of work.16mm, personally i would take the opportunity to upgrade the cable to 25mm which I seem to remember reading somewhere is now the recommended size for new installations.I would not use any choc box type connectors on that sort of power. I don't know if they are used in France (regulation) but a resin joint is what I would use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 [quote user="Théière"]Iwould not use any choc box type connectors on that sort of power. Idon't know if they are used in France (regulation) but a resin joint iswhat I would use.[/quote]Your piccy looks suspiciously like choc bloc encased in resin [blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Yes to the uninitiated, [:P]It is a purpose made high power high current connector as used in almost every underground supply to domestic dwelling. Not to mention larger versions for industrial applications.The resin prevents oxidisation and therefore the danger of a high resistance connection producing too much heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Still looks like a choc bloc [:P]Just jiving, we use similar connectors offshore where 25mm is bell wire, comparatively ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 1) Can I cut into the mains cable (turn supply off at EDF's box) and lengthen the cable to re-route under the slate hearth. You should arrange the cable runs in such a way that you can replace them without damage to the existing finishing of the house. I would either :Replace the entire cable with one length or Install a junction box so the two lengths can be replaced2) Is 16mm cable the correct size. The maximum power for 16 mm is 30 amps at 53 metres, 45 amps at 36 metres or 60 amps at 27 metres - So it depends on how powerful you electricity supply / main disjointer is how far away the tableau is3) Rigid tube for the conduit yes4) Are chocolate box connectors OK for a permanent joint behind the walls? provided the two section can be replaced see 1 aboveNot sure I like the idea of power cables anywhere near a hearth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveg22 Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Thanks for the replies and suggestions.As I said previously, I have waited for 10 weeks for the electrician to do this work (and other work) so that I can complete the wood burner installation. If I have to do the work then it will only be temporary repair until the sparky turns up and he can re-do the work to a professional standard."Not sure I like the idea of power cables anywhere near a hearth" The original cable/conduit was 20mm under the direct heat source, the new cable will be 150mm from the woodburner.I will go for 25mm tails but I can't see "resin" in the Brico Depot catalogue - is soldering the cables a 'no-no'?Picture shows the cables running left to right from EDF's box to the tableau (10 meters) and 12kva supply[IMG]http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/steveg22/EPSN1311.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 I am with Anton even 150mm is too close for comfort.You would need a specialised merchant for a resin joint, don't know about French regs and soldering of such heavy cable, hard to believe it was ever installed that way in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave21478 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 [quote user="Théière"].... hard to believe it was ever installed that way in the first place.[/quote]My fusebox is in the bathroom. Nothing surprises me about electricity here any more.Its quite handy though - if the power goes off when Im in the shower, I can just reach out and flick it back on.[blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 One thought I am sure the specialist and joint and resine will cost more than a full length of new cable and will be hard to source and even harder to conceal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveg22 Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Just an update.The electrician didn't come and do the cable. I received an email to say that he had hurt his back and had been signed off by the doctor.However, after struggling through the snow and having to abandon my trailer (with the woodburner on the back), I was determined to have it installed and lit for Christmas. I extended the 10mm tails and ran it through rigid tubing (the tails will be replaced when I have a new tableau installed) and can easily be accessible by removing a section of the plasterboard.[IMG]http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/steveg22/EPSN1344.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Well there's no denying that it looks a lot better now than in your earlier photo, well done [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northender Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Hot Dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Wiggy Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Hi.I have found the best and safest way to extend cables is not with the "chocolate box" connector method, but with the correct sized shrink wrap connector,giving a completely safe and insulated joints as no core wires are exposed. I believe that the use of both the scotch-clip and chocy box connections were made illegal in the UK in the early 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I think Scotch-clip connectors were designed for automotive applications?Dominoes are a standard choice here and in applications with no movement are perfectly safe.I can't find the shrink-wrap connectors, could you post a photo or link please?Sid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now