| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Cathryn |
Is it live?I am removing old wiring from the sitting room walls. How can I tell if it's live or not before I cut it? It appears through the wall below a bit of dado, wraps over it and then disappears to goodness knows where, just above it. It's the heavy grey stuff and I have no clue what might be on either end of it or even where either end might be.
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| T.G |
it would be safer to switch it off - all electric at the mains
you could use a tester but unless you know what you're doing that's not totally safe either. |
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| Chez |
You need a beebly beep machine.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=45560 You hold it over the wires and it flashes if they are live. |
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| Cathryn |
I think it's not in use but if it was and I cut it then wouldn't that leave it even more dangerous? I want to get rid of it as it's unsightly. | ||
| earthyvirgo |
Completely agree. If I ever do anything electrical in the house, I take that precaution. Then, when you've cut it, tape up the bare wires. And BE CAREFUL EV |
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| Chez |
Yes, live electric wires sticking out of the wall not ideal. | ||
| Cathryn |
I want one of those whether I use it or not. 
I suspect I am going to have to spend some time trying to follow it around the house.
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| Chez |
How thick is it? Can you take a photo? (Arvo's working, unfortunately) | ||
| T.G |
you could put a connector on the bare wire end that will part and keep the wires separate, then tape that up as an added precaution, you should never leave bare wires 
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| Hairyloon |
You just want one of these. | ||
| Bernie66 |
My advice is to always test the "tester" on something that you know is live before yourely on it to tell you something isn't live. A 240 volt shock is a really bad way to find out that the tester is faulty or the battery has run out in it. | ||
| Cathryn |
Good advice, thanks. I am going to see if I can find what it was or is used for before I do anything else. | ||
| vegplot |
Turn power off. Cut the wire. Strip back the outer insulation, fold back the live and neutral wires on themselves, tap over, then fold back the wire onto the cable and tap again.
Edit: You can turn power on again now. |