Electricity cable- trunking/ clips

keithdc

We have a large electrcity cable running by the side of our front door on the inside.

It is the cable that goes in to the meter (which is above our front door) so diameter is about 25mm.

It used to be clipped in place, but these were removed when the front door was changed, so it is now 'free standing'- it is still sturdy but doesn't lie flush against wall.

The ideal would be some sort of trunking, but can't find any big enough. screwfix sell 38mm x 25mm, but this is a smidge too small.

Alternatively, happy to make it look better with some clips so it fits flush against wall, but struggling to find any big enough (that don't come in packs of a hundred).

Would be grateful for any ideas/ solutions.

Risteard

If this cable belongs to the DNO, which from your description I suspect it does, then you should contact them about this. Certainly it shouldn't just be hanging free, and you certainly don't want the door crushing it.

Warwick_Hunt

keithdc wrote: »

We have a large electrcity cable running by the side of our front door on the inside.

It is the cable that goes in to the meter (which is above our front door) so diameter is about 25mm.

It used to be clipped in place, but these were removed when the front door was changed, so it is now 'free standing'- it is still sturdy but doesn't lie flush against wall.

The ideal would be some sort of trunking, but can't find any big enough. screwfix sell 38mm x 25mm, but this is a smidge too small.

Alternatively, happy to make it look better with some clips so it fits flush against wall, but struggling to find any big enough (that don't come in packs of a hundred).

Would be grateful for any ideas/ solutions.

Plenty on eBay in packs of 10.

keithdc

Risteard wrote: »

If this cable belongs to the DNO, which from your description I suspect it does, then you should contact them about this. Certainly it shouldn't just be hanging free, and you certainly don't want the door crushing it.

Hi, no risk of door crushing it.
It is not really 'hanging free'- it is anchored at top and bottom and is a relatively rigid cable but in between it just doesn't sit flush against wall.
It was clipped before, but these were removed when new front door installed.

This is really just an aesthetics issue and keen for a quick solution (i doubt DNO would view as priority).

Owain_Moneysaver

You can get 40x40mm trunking from electrical places eg
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MTMIN5.html

and clips and cleats for larger cables eg
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Accessories_Index/Cable_Clips_for_SWA/index.html

best is probably Cable Guard which you should be able to get from a builder's or electrical merchant eg

http://www.polypipe.com/civils-and-infrastructure/cable-protection/cable-guard/cable-guards

EachPenny

keithdc wrote: »

The ideal would be some sort of trunking, but can't find any big enough. screwfix sell 38mm x 25mm, but this is a smidge too small.

Alternatively, happy to make it look better with some clips so it fits flush against wall, but struggling to find any big enough (that don't come in packs of a hundred).

B&Q used to sell various sizes of trunking including one about 50x50mm. I've not been to a B&Q for a very long time so not sure if they still sell it. (can't see it on a quick online search). In any event, you may find a 100 pack of clips a lot cheaper.

Whatever you decide to do, bear in mind the cable is carrying mains voltage electricity, and the only 'fuse' protecting it will probably be a very big one back at the substation. Be very careful using drills or saws anywhere near the cable - getting it repaired if you damage it will be very expensive, but there is a good chance you would not be alive to find out exactly how much it costs.

firefox1956

What about these ??
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p25676?searchstr=pipe%20saddles
Or something similar ???

Owain_Moneysaver

firefox1956 wrote: »

What about these ??
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p25676?searchstr=pipe%20saddles
Or something similar ???

No, they're for water pipes not cable. They may crush the cable or abrade the cable sheath.

firefox1956

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

No, they're for water pipes not cable. They may crush the cable or abrade the cable sheath.

Absolute rubbish !!

Ectophile

If it's old PILC (paper insulated, lead covered) cable, then you really don't want to crush it. Newer plastic cables should be more robust.

Risteard

Ectophile wrote: »

If it's old PILC (paper insulated, lead covered) cable, then you really don't want to crush it. Newer plastic cables should be more robust.

In my experience DNO cables running up the wall next to the doorframe are almost always PILC.

As I said before, this is a job for the DNO. You really shouldn't be interfering with their cable.