Lime plastering over electric wiring

[david2]

I have some lime plastering to do over some of the mains electric wiring in my house, does anyone know if I can plaster straight over it - I am assuming that I can because lime appears to be less corosive than gypsum (once it's carbonated).

I have very little room to play with and boxing it in is not really an option

 

[alice]

Can't you thread the wires through conduit?

While house electrics aren't my field at all...I'm pretty familiar with wiring a computer lab, and I just wouldn't be comfortable with any wiring embedded in plaster, especially wiring that's rated for indoors, where the assumption is that the connections and casing wouldn't be wet for any length of time. Also, I don't know if what the heat/cool expansion rate is of plaster, but it does move, and as the house moves it will shift and crack. If it moves with the wire embedded in it, wouldn't it snap the wire?

alice

 

[Gervase]

Lime doesn't affect the PVC sleeving of modern cable - but I find it easier to put thin plastic capping over the top first and plaster over that. Otherwise the trowel snags on the cables, and when you fiddle with the cable to wire up your boxes you'll crack the plaster if it's directly over them.

 

[NT]

does anyone know if I can plaster straight over it

yes, no problem. A cable clip or 2 securing the cable at the end where it pokes out will help avoid the slight risk of plaster cracking later.


NT

 

[DaveBrigg]

Our house has all its wiring directly plastered, without any problems so far. Just make a note of where the wires are before they get covered :lol:

 

[NT]

Most houses have wiring directly plastered onto, with numerous examples of this being lime plaster.

I think people tend to imagine possible problems at times, and somehow I dont understand there seems to be some kind of human resistance to getting things back into proportion.


NT

 

[Tom]

Our electrician put capping over all our cables. His theory is that if you drill into the wall at a later date over a cable, the capping will give you advance notice before you hit the cable itself...good thinking, in my opinion!! Hope this helps.

Jaqy

 

[Kearn]

What use are all the nails up through my flues now….

 

[paulc]

Our electrician put capping over all our cables. His theory is that if you drill into the wall at a later date over a cable, the capping will give you advance notice before you hit the cable itself...good thinking, in my opinion!!

If you have a sharp drill, that thin metal capping doesn't provide much protection. But is is still better than none as it protects the cable when slapping the first coat or two on the wall. Personally, I prefer to use conduit as it gives a little bit of wriggle room should you need to pull up a bit of extra cable.
One more thing to mention - Cables should always run vertically or horizontally in "safe zones", and never shoot off at an angle.

 

[Kearn]

What use are all the nails up through my flues now….

Well that was commented on entirely the wrong post! although almost just makes me sound nuts…