is there a sure way to test wall for electrical cables?

martin57

Hi,

I need to drill 8 holes in wall (ground floor) to hang a few items, and am I right in thinking that the electrical cables in wall usually run vertically above the light or wall sockets, so staying clear of sockets by at least 6 inches horinontally each side should mean I am ok?
Is there something I can buy that will show me exact position of cables?

I am going to use a powerdevil cordless drill I have, never drilled a hole before so any tips in that regard would be really appreciated.

Thank you very much for all your kind help

Martin57

wallbash

by at least 6 inches horinontally each side should mean I am ok?

Thats the theory . As using a cordless , you could also turn off all the power at the mains.

powerdevil cordless

Guessing its not the most powerful of drills , hope its up to the job.
Do you know the construction of the wall?

London50

Hi
There is a tool that will locate any cabling ect {see link below} avalable from that well known high street outlet that gets very busy towards Christmas ;0)

http://www.!!!!!!!s.co.uk/M20102





[QUOTE=martin57;
I need to drill 8 holes in wall (ground floor) to hang a few items, and am I right in thinking that the electrical cables in wall usually run vertically above the light or wall sockets, so staying clear of sockets by at least 6 inches horinontally each side should mean I am ok?
Is there something I can buy that will show me exact position of cables?

I am going to use a powerdevil cordless drill I have, never drilled a hole before so any tips in that regard would be really appreciated.

Thank you very much for all your kind help

Martin57[/QUOTE]

Inactive

Is the cordless drill a hammer drill?, if not you could be struggling.

martin57

"Hi
There is a tool that will locate any cabling ect {see link below} avalable from that well known high street outlet that gets very busy towards Christmas ;0)

http://www.!!!!!!!s.co.uk/M20102"

Thanks for that, I have tried argos, diy, wicks, but it has stomped me. Anyone know what the missing letters are?

)

Errata

Get a tester, leccy wiring doesn't always run straight up or straight down.

London50

martin57 wrote: »

"Hi
There is a tool that will locate any cabling ect {see link below} avalable from that well known high street outlet that gets very busy towards Christmas ;0)

http://www.!!!!!!!s.co.uk/M20102"

Thanks for that, I have tried argos, diy, wicks, but it has stomped me. Anyone know what the missing letters are?

)

Ok Try this one {Full URL}

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0072784/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CGarden+and+DIY%7C14418702/c_2/3%7Ccat_15701048%7CDIY+tools%2C+ladders+and+workbenches%7C14418713.htm

martin57

London50 wrote: »

Ok Try this one {Full URL}

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0072784/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CGarden+and+DIY%7C14418702/c_2/3%7Ccat_15701048%7CDIY+tools%2C+ladders+and+workbenches%7C14418713.htm

Ah thanks for that. It doesn't get that great reviews though, one customer on amazon even calls it a "lie detector"

I have reserved it anyways, will see.

Thanks again
Martin

zax47

SAFE ZONES - This is where you may well find cables installed - note horizontals between sockets and switches so check before drilling!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i62/RFLighting/safezones.jpg

Ebe_Scrooge

Just drill a hole. If you die, you know you've hit a power cable :-)

There are a lot of cable detectors on the market, some are very good, some are worse than useless. You generally get what you pay for.

The way to be absolutely safe is turn all the power off before you begin ( obviously not an option if you're using a mains powered drill ), but that way if you do hit a cable there's no harm done ( apart from the hassle of having to get it replaced ). But you will be able to tell if you hit a cable, as you'll feel the difference when the drill hits the metal wire.

Actually, if you have a fairly up-to-date consumer unit with MCBs and RCDs, then you *should* be fairly safe even if you do hit a live cable. But better safe than sorry.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

zax47 wrote: »

SAFE ZONES - This is where you may well find cables installed - note horizontals between sockets and switches so check before drilling!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i62/RFLighting/safezones.jpg

That is where cables should be run.

The OP may well find them running in any direction.

And lets not forget to mention hot & cold water pipes & radiator pipes.