I feel a bit dirty asking the question, but here goes anyway as it's always good to have an open mind. What do people think of gluing cables prior to plastering. Two options come to mind: Hot Melt Glue: https://www.gudfor.com/en/products/electricians/380 Hot melt is commonly used to attach wires in non-construction sectors Grab adhesive: like GripFill, Sticks Like, No More Nails, Instant Nails, ... . A 350ml tube would go a long way (>100m) with 1ml blobs every 300mm. Epoxy: sets hard so that may be a benefit. Clearly unsuitable for permanent fixture, but prior to being plastered over? I did a basic test of a grab adhesive (GripFill yellow which is no solvent) and it holds to blockwork as well as a clip does. A 2.5mm2 cable in a 10x10 mm chase with a 1ml blob can drag a block across the floor in shear. The main benefits would be: Narrower chase as no need for space of a clip Quick to install Cheap (£2 per 100m at 300mm c/c)

This discussion is locked.

You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Gluing cables (☉_☉)

I feel a bit dirty asking the question, but here goes anyway as it's always good to have an open mind. What do people think of gluing cables prior to plastering. Two options come to mind:

Hot Melt Glue: https://www.gudfor.com/en/products/electricians/380 Hot melt is commonly used to attach wires in non-construction sectors
Grab adhesive: like GripFill, Sticks Like, No More Nails, Instant Nails, ... . A 350ml tube would go a long way (>100m) with 1ml blobs every 300mm.
Epoxy: sets hard so that may be a benefit.

Clearly unsuitable for permanent fixture, but prior to being plastered over?

I did a basic test of a grab adhesive (GripFill yellow which is no solvent) and it holds to blockwork as well as a clip does. A 2.5mm2 cable in a 10x10 mm chase with a 1ml blob can drag a block across the floor in shear.

The main benefits would be:

Narrower chase as no need for space of a clip
Quick to install
Cheap (£2 per 100m at 300mm c/c)

Parents

0 WireWeHere over 3 years ago

Update: I phoned a well known manufacturer of grab adhesives and they said they haven't tested them for this application (no surprise) and also gave a cause for concern, Plasticiser Migration. Over time the plasticiser could migrate out of the cable and leave it brittle. That would apply to both PVC and Polyethylene insulated cables. That falls into the doesn't play nicely category.

They did say that they have tested, and it's OK, PU expanding foam but that sounds a nightmare.

They thought hot melt may be less likely to have Plasticiser Migration issues, but again they haven't tested it and I don't think they are big in that market.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Reply

0 WireWeHere over 3 years ago

Update: I phoned a well known manufacturer of grab adhesives and they said they haven't tested them for this application (no surprise) and also gave a cause for concern, Plasticiser Migration. Over time the plasticiser could migrate out of the cable and leave it brittle. That would apply to both PVC and Polyethylene insulated cables. That falls into the doesn't play nicely category.

They did say that they have tested, and it's OK, PU expanding foam but that sounds a nightmare.

They thought hot melt may be less likely to have Plasticiser Migration issues, but again they haven't tested it and I don't think they are big in that market.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Children

0 whjohnson over 3 years ago in reply to WireWeHere

I hate expanding foam too - it is the stuff of the devil when chucked about with gay abandon by builders to cover up a dodgy job, and plumbers seem to be the worst culprits. The stuff can cause all kinds of derating issues when it's use is not thought through.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Gluing cables (☉_☉)

Community Rules & Guidelines