Wall Chaser

[bradders]

I am considering buying a wall chaser and am confused with what is on offer?

At the risk of appearing stupid can someone tell me what the point of a wall chaser that cuts to a maximum depth of 30mm is when T&E should be 50mm in the wall? Unless of course the 30mm is considering dry lining/plastering adding to the depth. Not much use for a rewire though.

Cheers

Brad

 

[Sintra]

T&E only needs to be chased into a wall to 50mm to eliminate the need for additional protection by a 30mA RCD.

 

[bradders]

Does that mean since all circuits on a new installation would have RCD protection the 50mm regulation is pretty much defunct?

 

[Sintra]

Absolutely in a domestic situation everything will have the beloved RCD protection so don't worry about the depths of the chases.

 

[snowhead]

If you start chasing to 50mm you'll have achitects chasing you, and serious structural problems.

 

[bradders]

If you start chasing to 50mm you'll have achitects chasing you, and serious structural problems.

What? A channel 50mm by 30mm will cause structural problems! Do me a favour!

 

[snowhead]

What? A channel 50mm by 30mm will cause structural problems! Do me a favour!

Cut 50mm into a block or brick that's 100mm thick and there's not much strength left.

 

[colshaws]

What? A channel 50mm by 30mm will cause structural problems! Do me a favour!

Building regs state the maximum depth of a chase should be 1/3rd of the thicness of the wall so unless your walls are 150mm thick then a 50 mm chase is much to deep.

 

[HandySparks]

What? A channel 50mm by 30mm will cause structural problems! Do me a favour!

Yes. Get yourself a copy of the Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations. In my copy, published 2005, section 10.1.2 says maximum depth of vertical chase to be one third of wall thickness and for horizontal chases, one sixth of thickness. So, for a nominal 100mm block, 33mm vertical and 16mm horizontal. (I'm guessing plus depth of plaster, since the plaster's not structural!)

 

[cbw]

Dont forget you also need a vacum, costs more than the chaser.

 

[ExArmy]

What? A channel 50mm by 30mm will cause structural problems! Do me a favour!

do you not think so! do me a favour and have a read of the electricians guide to the building regs!