How big a task is it to replace an electrical cable?

Question

Just tonight my dad drilled through an electrical cable, which then tripped the safety devices installed in the consumer unit. Now when you look in the hole you can clearly see the copper wire glinting. This also suggests that he's drilled through the conduit so apart from the cable needing replaced is it likely that the plastic piping will also need to be replaced?

PS. Nobody was injured! Thank goodness it has the extra earthing safety devices!

Answer 1

You've answered your own question- get in the experts. My advice in these circumstances is always if you need to ask, you shouldn't be thinking of trying it yourself.

As to the size of the job, it depends on how the cable runs, how far from the main box ete. etc. Often the electrical part is easy (for a competent electrician). It's the 'chasing out' and repairing of the wall that is the big job!

Answer 2

Get a qualified electrician.  Current regulations forbid housholders from replacing wiring unless it is inspected by a qualified electrician.  

Answer 3

Just call your electrician friend. He'll Know what to do.

Answer 4

How big the job is all depends on how the cable is installed. If it is behind the plaster board or in a conduit then it can be replaced easily. You will have to knock out some of the plaster though where the damage is done.

Remove the plaster around the damage, and chop the cable fully. MAKE SURE THE POWER TO THIS CABLE IS OFF BEFORE YOU GO NEAR IT - but you know that. Tie strong piece of string securely around one of the cable ends - the string needs to be quite long. Now find the other end of that half of the cable and pull it. If the string is secure and the cable is behind the plasterboard it should pull through and you will have replaced the cable in the wall with a bit of string. Tie the other end of the string to the other bit of cable and repeat - not the string goes where the cable was. Untie the cables and tie a new piece to one end of the string. Pall the other end of the string and with any luck the cable will go all the way from one end to the other and you will have replaced the cable.

Now all you have to do is to carefully strip the ends of the cable and reconnect it to where the original was connected.

Now a few words of caution, if you don't know what you are doing with cables and wiring, then please get an electrician in. It isn't a legal requirement to get the work done by a qualified electrician but it is advisable unless you know what you are doing. Always work with the power off as much as you can. Buy a cable detector or confiscate your dads drill.

Oh, I didn't say what to do if the cable is burried in the plaster, now that's a big job - removing the cable means digging out the plaster to expose it, then remove the cable and replace it and then replaster. Thats a big job

EDIT

I am not giving many more details than that, if you can figure out the size of cable you need and how to wire it then thats up to you, if you have no idea then best pick up the yellow pages...

Answer 5

changing out  electrical wiring  looks  easy  and  is to  those of  us  that  have  done it  a great deal

but it is not  something  one  does  on their own to  save   a few bucks

improper wiring  can  burn  down  a house  ...improper handling  of wiring  can blow  off  fingers  and hands

i  am sure  your  dad  has  an electrician  buddy  he can  call ...if  not  call  an electrical  contractor

Answer 6

Some are easy: Some are difficult.  The principle is very straightforward but it would be reckless to offer advice over the internet or for you to follow advice given by someone who, for all you know, could be incompetent.  If in any doubt about how to do it safely and in accordance with the current wiring regulations, it is a job for a qualified electrician.  Good news that the safety devices did their job.  

Answer 7

the pipe should be ok.

a good tip though is to find both ends of the damaged cable .the "tie the new cable to it to pull it through the "piping".