Any electricians around please?

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DarthKermit

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#146614 23-May-2014 17:56

I'm installing insulation in a wall presently. The mains cable rises up and into the meter box as seen in the pic. I was wondering if I should leave a gap for heat dissipation around the cable? It's a standard 16mm2 type mains cable.

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floydie

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#1051850 23-May-2014 18:23

insulate right up to it. itll be fine

PhantomNVD

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#1051854 23-May-2014 18:41

Yup, any heat production on a 16mm cable means you have REALLY serious issues, and would be extremely rare... Fully insulate, you'll provide it more protection from your external heart than risk heat from the wire itself.

gzt

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#1051884 23-May-2014 20:14

Depends what kind of insulation. If polystyrene - then you need a gap. Polystyrene reacts slowly with the cable insulation and eventually degrades and destroys it leading to fire etc.

Imho rockwool and glass fibre type insulation is chemically inert and not a problem afaik. Polyester? Don't know. I'm not an electrician so take that as imho.

DarthKermit

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#1051890 23-May-2014 20:23

I'm installing earth wool, which is similar to batts but not as itchy.

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gzt

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#1051899 23-May-2014 20:32

Combination rock and glass.