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Hello, my house was built in 1962 and still has open wiring running in the attic with ceramic cleats carrying the red and black wires from beam to beam. Over the years some of the wires got pulled out from the cleats. I would like to reattach them to cleats and was wondering how tight should they be strung between cleats. Do I have allow for expansion and shrinkage as the temperature changes?
What type of insulation do the existing wires have P.V.C. or I.V.R. going by the year of the original installation, 1962 it's possible that the insulation of the wires is I.V.R. and may I suggest if that is the case you have your house rewired.
I Suggest you instead of messing things with your self you should call an electrician and rewire your house if not then at-least discuss your problem with electrician i hope your problem will solved!
I would like to reattach them to cleats and was wondering how tight should they be strung between cleats. Do I have allow for expansion and shrinkage as the temperature changes?
Ultimately you want to make sure that the conductors can't come into contact with each other or anything else - just the cleats. A little slack doesn't hurt, but it really shouldn't need much.
Ultimately you want to make sure that the conductors can't come into contact with each other or anything else - just the cleats. A little slack doesn't hurt, but it really shouldn't need much.
If it's housewire, why not get it into conduit?
Using Conduit, requires that the wires be disconnected at some point to be pulled through. Maybe a better option is to use trunking.
Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide! Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za
If u decide to make changes, just stay inside the regs and u should be fine.
6.4.5 Open wiring (PAGE 147)
NOTE Open wiring consists of single-core insulated conductors that operate at not
more than 250 V to earth; however, this is not a recommended installation method
for new installations. Amdt 5
6.4.5.1 Open wiring shall not be installed
a) under thatched or wood-shingle roofs,
b) in parts of a roof space where the working height is less than 750 mm,
c) in roof spaces that are intended to be used (or are used) for storage,
unless the wiring is suitably protected against mechanically damage,
Amdt 5
d) within 1 m of a trap door unless the wiring is suitably protected
against mechanical damage, or Amdt 5
e) where it will be in contact with flammable material.
6.4.5.2 Each conductor of an open wiring system shall be visible where it
is installed on, over, or next to beams that can be used for walking on, or
it shall be suitably protected against mechanical damage. Amdt 5
6.4.5.3 Conductors shall
a) be fixed at intervals not exceeding 1,5 m to building elements such as
walls, rafters or purlins, Amdt 5
b) if there is no ceiling, be at least 3 m above floor level,
c) Deleted by amendment No. 5.
d) Deleted by amendment No. 5.
e) Deleted by amendment No. 5.
f) be supported within 600 mm of the point where they enter conduit or
other building elements, and Amdt 5
g) be fixed in such a way that the fixing method does not impair the
conductor insulation. Amdt 5
6.4.5.4 Where conductors enter a conduit, the conductors shall not be
strained. Metal conduit shall project enough to allow a bush and an earth
clip to be fitted. Amdt 1; amdt 5
6.4.5.5 Where the current-carrying capacity of conductors is impaired by
thermal insulating material, the appropriate correction factors shall be
applied.
If u decide to make changes, just stay inside the regs and u should be fine.
6.4.5 Open wiring (PAGE 147)
NOTE Open wiring consists of single-core insulated conductors that operate at not
more than 250 V to earth; however, this is not a recommended installation method
for new installations. Amdt 5
6.4.5.1 Open wiring shall not be installed
a) under thatched or wood-shingle roofs,
b) in parts of a roof space where the working height is less than 750 mm,
c) in roof spaces that are intended to be used (or are used) for storage,
unless the wiring is suitably protected against mechanically damage,
Amdt 5
d) within 1 m of a trap door unless the wiring is suitably protected
against mechanical damage, or Amdt 5
e) where it will be in contact with flammable material.
6.4.5.2 Each conductor of an open wiring system shall be visible where it
is installed on, over, or next to beams that can be used for walking on, or
it shall be suitably protected against mechanical damage. Amdt 5
6.4.5.3 Conductors shall
a) be fixed at intervals not exceeding 1,5 m to building elements such as
walls, rafters or purlins, Amdt 5
b) if there is no ceiling, be at least 3 m above floor level,
c) Deleted by amendment No. 5.
d) Deleted by amendment No. 5.
e) Deleted by amendment No. 5.
f) be supported within 600 mm of the point where they enter conduit or
other building elements, and Amdt 5
g) be fixed in such a way that the fixing method does not impair the
conductor insulation. Amdt 5
6.4.5.4 Where conductors enter a conduit, the conductors shall not be
strained. Metal conduit shall project enough to allow a bush and an earth
clip to be fitted. Amdt 1; amdt 5
6.4.5.5 Where the current-carrying capacity of conductors is impaired by
thermal insulating material, the appropriate correction factors shall be
applied.
As for the rewire, in all instances where I have been requested to do it I have pointed out that unless an insulation test proves it to be required I advise against it. The old vulcanised rubber insulation still gives better readings than the pvc of today. Those old circuits are also of heavier gauge than todays norm. Provided that it still meets the legal requirements do not fix what is not broken.
Get a sparky to do an insulation resistance test and if that is clean, follow the advice given by Andy. That is what the regs boil down to and dont forget, no open joints and there must be slack before entering a dropper.
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