Capping - Yes / No

[Cirrus]

Ok, on all the sites I have worked on there seems to be a continual confusion regarding capping and the requirements for it. As I understood it (16th ed) capping cables in walls although good practice - isn't actually a requirement under the regs (unless running diagonally from cooker switch to outlet).
Discuss!!

 

[Grae79]

you can't use capping as mechanical protection for running diagonally ...has to be ye olde earthed metal conduit.

and yah, isn't a requirement at all...just used to protect cables from rough-arse plasterers floats innit.

i tend to use it on vertical cable runs even if the walls are gettin boarded. gives a little mechanical protection at least...

 

[Cirrus]

If you look in the OSG it shows a diaganol run from cooker switch to outlet and states it needs capping

 

[harry98]

i dont bother with it, its a pain in the arse and takes too long.

 

[Des 56]

Just posted a reply to another thread and then read this one that would require an identical
answer off myself so Im saying nothing

 

[Bane]

what Grae said.

*Waves*

 

[Cirrus]

Jeez Bane where ya been?

 

[Bane]

Been a busy little bee.
Not much time for play anymore

 

[Cirrus]

There is always time for play

 

[alancp]

how much protection is capping going to give when buried in the wall, get the drill out - feel resistance - push harder, come on every one has done this, especially on a well priced job.

 

[ccrowe]

If you look in the OSG it shows a diaganol run from cooker switch to outlet and states it needs capping

Nope. It states that it needs "protection" (assuming <=50mm depth). No mention of capping anywhere. Prior to that, in the first paragraph, it describes the required protection as "earthed metal conduit (trunking or ducting)".

Exact requirements at 522.6.6 and 522.6.8

 

[Cirrus]

Capping was never intended as a precaution against a wayward drill but purely to prevent the plasterers trowel from 'nicking' the cables.

 

[wattsup]

Capping is used mainly to protect pvc cables coming in to contact with plaster, especially lime based plaster which over time breaks down the insulation. It was never ever used for machanical protection, you can easily press a drawing pin through it, metal capping is a real pain-- crazy earthing problems etc, though some insist because they is stupid. -

 

[sparkyork]

hate the stuff, specially the metal variety

 

[tony.towa]

Spot on wattsup. Capping was originally introduced to prevent plaster coming into contact with the cable insulation. Originally a wooden feature, capping prevented the chemicals in the plaster reacting with rubber insulation and actually rotting it away.

And before anybody asks I am not old enough to have installed any of it - but I have removed quite a bit.

The biggest pain with capping is nobody seems to produce a decent capping pin. that and my thumb nail if I can only get hold of 25mm and not 35mm.