Metal sockets and conduits allowed?

[Carron Khalifah]

Looking for some advice please. I’m planning to rewire my French holiday home and really wanted to replace the plastic sockets and exposed trunking with metal for aesthetic reasons.  From what I have read it sounds like this may not be allowed? The property is just about to be earthed as wasn’t when we bought it - copper rod into ground. 
 

if anyone can advise would be hugely appreciated.

 

thanks 

 

Carron

[Harnser]

Having had experience of steel conduit wiring when I was an apprentice doing six months with the factory electricians in the UK many years ago, I wouldn't use it if plastic conduit is an alternative.

Without going into the finer details, you will have to cut to length and thread every piece of conduit to screw into the bushes which you fit into the socket boxes. That means that every threaded end will be covered in cutting paste - like a grease- from the threading which will have to be cleaned off.

EG - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324293014745?hash=item4b815eb4d9:g:SXQAAOSwGMVfXJuS

and a pipe vise to hold the pipe while you are threading it.

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/portable-chain-yoke-vises

And turning the threading die is really hard work.

You have to ensure that all burrs and  internal sharp edges are removed so that when the wiring is pulled through the insulation doesn't get damaged on any sharp edges.

https://www.grainger.com/product/GENERAL-Pipe-Reamer-3ZG95

 

I guess you are getting the picture now - don't use steel conduit in a domestic installation.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Harnser
addition

[Ken]

8 hours ago, Harnser said:

Having had experience of steel conduit wiring when I was an apprentice doing six months with the factory electricians in the UK many years ago, I wouldn't use it if plastic conduit is an alternative.

Without going into the finer details, you will have to cut to length and thread every piece of conduit to screw into the bushes which you fit into the socket boxes. That means that every threaded end will be covered in cutting paste - like a grease- from the threading which will have to be cleaned off.

EG - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324293014745?hash=item4b815eb4d9:g:SXQAAOSwGMVfXJuS

and a pipe vise to hold the pipe while you are threading it.

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/portable-chain-yoke-vises

And turning the threading die is really hard work.

You have to ensure that all burrs and  internal sharp edges are removed so that when the wiring is pulled through the insulation doesn't get damaged on any sharp edges.

https://www.grainger.com/product/GENERAL-Pipe-Reamer-3ZG95

 

I guess you are getting the picture now - don't use steel conduit in a domestic installation.

Ah! Those were the days! Don't forget the pipe former (can't remember its name!) for  bending the pipework around corners and adjusting levels. Yep, use plastic, it's a doddle!

[alittlebitfrench]

Don't use either.

Put the wires in walls where they belong.

[Lehaut]

If you do not fancy chasing out solid walls to put the wire in (!) try these instead

https://www.leroymerlin.fr/v3/search/search.do?keyword=gaine electrique&filters={"productType"%3A"1882~1069"}&p=1

I have used plastic ones in our current flat as the walls are solid concrete.  RJ45/speaker cable runs and for heated floor cables without any problems.

[Carron Khalifah]

Thanks all for the advice. Will stick with plastic conduit