Cables in loft Insulation

[David Prosser]

I’m an Industrial electrician and as such have limited knowledge of domestic installations (we all still use the same regs though). I’m wanting to know what people do about the increased insulation in lofts.

For example my shower is a nominal 9.5kW with a 10mm T&E cable If I was to install the recommended 250mm of insulation the cable would no longer be the right size As even though the cable would be lifted out of the insulation, 250mm goes through to the switch, back out and then to the shower so as much as 750mm would be in the insulation (clipped to the beams).

What do you guys do about this ? I was thinking of putting some sort of wooden boxing to keep the insulation about 100mm away from the cable.

Thanks for any advise.

 

[telectrix]

just move the bloodyitchy snot out of the way. it' may save a shilling on the gas bill but is a major contributor to damp/mould/ decay. a house needs to breathe.

 

[7029 dave]

I would like to see you try terminating a bigger size cable.? Move the horrible stuff out of the way, clip the cable up on the joists if not boarded.

 

[David Prosser]

By moving it out the way I assume you mean I should cut it so it's kept away from the cables when it's installed. The loft will be boarded that's why I was thinking of using a piece of wood to make sure the insulation doesn't spread/move across to the cable.

 

[telectrix]

do what ever. as long as the cable has a decent air space around it. think of farting in bed. if the covers are tight, your missus will get a hefty niff. loose covers, it just floats away to create more global warming.

 

[amlu]

if you are DIYing it and got some spare time then make kind of channels/trunking for the cabling, free of insulation, with separate openings from the top, will make it easier for future maintenance or additions, no need for lifting whole boards and looking where the cables may be.

 

[Guitarist]

Easy enough to keep above the insulation, and where it goes through it, use a piece of plastic waste pipe.
Yes, you could build a little box around it for retro-fit, or cut a slot out of said waste pipe.