Seeking advice on neat ways of running cable

[Guest dukelamonty]

Hi,

I am a novice when it comes to alarms but would like to install my own alarm. I am looking for advice on neat ways of running 6 core alarm cable in a house that is not prewired for alarms.

1. Has anyone any advice on methods of chasing out plaster neatly for a cable run? The cable is so thin, my thinking is that I would only need to chase into the soft plaster rather than into the block beneath. But even if this is the case, what is the best or easiest way to cut chases suitable for alarm cable? e.g. is an electrical chasing tool of the type used for electrical power cables over the top?

2. As an alternative to chasing the cables in, I have noticed in a few domestic installations recently, that the alarm installer has very neatly run the cable a short length from the ceiling to the window/door sensor on the surface of the wall but has used what looks like a silicon sealant to glue the cable neatly to the wall on the surface. Have any of you done this? What sort of sealant do you find works well (brand name/details etc.).

I would very much appreciate any advice in this area. I have searched the web but cant find any relevant advice on this topic.

- Duke!

[breff]

If I have to run surface, I always use a hot melt glue gun, it takes a bit of practice though or youll A- get burnt fingers and/or B- put far too much on and squidge out everywhere. As for chasing walls I find the quickest and neatest way is to use an angle grinder.......but beware you wont believe how much dust this creates. Most good installers will run cables horizontally under floorboards or clipped just inside the gripper rods, and vertically look for a floor to ceiling cupboard or boxed in soil pipe.

Good Luck

[Guest RICHL]

The cable is so thin, my thinking is that I would only need to chase into the soft plaster

Not meaning to sound harsh, but judging by the above (and not knowing what sort of property it is) are you sure you are competant to do a complete install? There is also a mains connection involved remember.

Plan it properly and it can be easy and should hardly ever involve chasing walls out. But get it wrong and it could take days or weeks and you could still end up with a bodged, unreliable system.

Again, apologies if I sound harsh.

[CompostCORNER]

Couple of good tips for running cables. Never run them across the floor in front of a door. If you can, drill a hole at either side of the door you need to cross, then using a simple wire coat hanger bent straight with a hook on the end, push the cable down one hole and hook it with the coat hanger from the other. Do check for cables and pipes before drilling though.

Avoid water pipes and mains cables, and if possible, see if theres the odd loose floor board that can be lifted that may allow cables to run under the floor itself. And until you've mastered the art of cable running, I'd keep clear of a staple gun If I were you. Use plastic cable clips (4.5mm for 6-8 core cable) as if you're using a staple gun for the first time to do this sort of task, you'll probably put a staple through a cable like most of us did on our first job as apprentices lol.

[Guest dukelamonty]

Thanks all for your replies. Some useful stuff in there. Regarding competency, I am an electrical engineer by profession but that said I am the first to admit that doesn't qualify me as being practically competent in installation of anything. So I dont find any of the comments harsh - I find them all useful.

I agree concealing the cable under floors, inside cupboards etc. is a good approach but there is usually always a last one or two feet to the window or door where you either have to surface run or bury the cable.

I like the sound of the glue gun. I might do a few trial runs in a hidden location (e.g. under the staircase) to try it out.

Any additional suggestions still welcome.

Thanks again,

Duke.

[breff]

One other trick if you do use the glue gun....get some decorators caulk , run a thin line along the join between cable and whatever, run your finger all along, hey presto you can hardly see the cable!!!!

Assuming its white cable on white background of course.

[Guest RICHL]

If you want a hot melt glue gun then Screwfix sell them for about a fiver - worth it as they are very usefull (I even use mine for sticking bits back on my car).

I wouldnt use one to fasten alarm cables on anything other than UPVC though. For other surfaces consider a staple gun (about £10) or trunking if its in a cupboard.

[breff]

Rich, if u use staples on the groove on a skirting board for instance, the staples stand out and smack u in the face, much neater to glue and fill it!

[Guest RICHL]

Cables on skirting boards??, that's so NTL

[Chris Teague]

Most of us would carry various long drill bits, masonary & wood, say up to a couple of foot long (Augers etc)

With window frames, (shockers etc) I like to drill up behind the plaster / in between the wall, from the edge of the wall to the ceiling (slowly & straight) and the same other way to the window frame. 10mm hole at the top by the ceiling and the same by the window frame, bit of thin stiff wire and you can fish a bit of 4 core nicely down onto the frame, helped with a pair of thin long nosed pliers. a bit of painters mate etc and its hidden nicely.

Also for doors its good to be able to drop into the cavity, say from upstairs & a 20mm hole through the frame into the cavity, fished out and onto a flush contact, jobs done.

We carry lots of fillers, some white & magnolia paints, varnish etc. Always good to have a small cylinder hoover handy when drilling into walls / chasing out (& another pair of hands )

Always fill in / seal cable holes, as draughts of air from under the floor can travel down the back / around a PIR & be a potential false alarm

Good to have a few thin insulated rods for fishing out under the floor or some long stiff wire. Having said that, I once encountered a live 30 Amp JB with the lid off when doing this and was lucky not to have touched it with the wire. Best to be very careful mate.

Regards Chris