logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda

Installation of Electrical Wiring in Plasterboard Wall with Insulation: Tubing vs. Bare Wires

kanzas741 40812 28
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #1 11710203
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    Hello.
    How to make an electrical installation in a plasterboard wall. Do the wires have to be in the tubes or can they lie alone. I would like to add that I plan to insulate the walls with wool, will it not hurt the cables?
    Greetings.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #3 11710339
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    Are you asking as who? Investor? Designer? The Contractor?
  • #4 11710374
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    As a contractor and investor.
  • #5 11711236
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #6 11711368
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    Not necessarily. I just have never had contact with an electrical installation in plasterboard and I don't really know what it should look like.
  • #7 11711715
    gorylla
    Level 13  
    buddy kanzas741 I don't want to be mean but reading your "I had no contact" comes to mind .....

    So in your opinion, if I have contact with a computer, I am immediately an IT specialist or if I have contact with water, I am a plumber? Well, there is still a long way to go.

    Call an electrician, you will pay but you will sleep well.
    greetings
  • #8 11712636
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #9 11714377
    omen600606
    Level 15  
    I would advise and personally did so that I put the entire installation in such walls in a self-extinguishing barrier. Of course, I led everything from profile to profile along straight ropes. This conduit is a bit more expensive than the usual one, but it is worth using one for peace of mind.

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    I can see that a friend above wrote about this peches
  • #10 11714490
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    omen600606 wrote:
    I would advise and personally did so that I put the entire installation in such walls in a self-extinguishing barrier. Of course, I led everything from profile to profile along straight ropes. This conduit is a bit more expensive than the usual one, but it is worth using one for peace of mind.

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    I can see that a friend above wrote about this peches


    And what are all the conclusions?
  • #11 11714788
    kkas12
    Level 43  
    Quote:
    ... I put the entire installation in such walls in a self-extinguishing protective tube.
    Of course, it is logical that the cans for the equipment also do not spread the flame, the author of these words used.
    Please present the method of connecting the conduit-can.
  • #12 11716758
    TWK
    Electrician specialist
    kkas12 wrote:
    Please present the method of connecting the conduit-can.
    If no one answered, please kindly present how this connection should look "godly".
  • #13 11716947
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #16 11717295
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    Thank you for so much interest.
    I have a request for 15kV maciej
    Could you post more photos of such an installation ??
    Thank you in advance.

    one more question: do you need to use conduits or can you just let the bare wire in the wall cover with wool and cover the cardboard with plaster?
  • #17 11717390
    TWK
    Electrician specialist
    kkas12 wrote:
    Oh yes:
    Thank you.

    kkas12 wrote:
    Or to stop making fire risk theories when the theory has gaps.
    According to the study "Conditions for the performance of low voltage electrical installations according to the new regulations, in buildings" by F. Łasak, plasterboard is considered non-flammable. The question is, what about filling such a wall, e.g. polystyrene - I would consider (but this is only my opinion) a combustible material.
  • #18 11717582
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    kanzas741 wrote:

    one more question, is it necessary to use conduits or is it possible to just put a bare wire in the wall and cover it with wool and cover the cardboard with plaster?


    Would you like to pass bare YDY through the holes in the sheet metal elements of the structure?
    And do not forget that the long-term load capacity of the cable in conditions of difficult cooling drops significantly.
  • #19 11717603
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    retrofood
    would you please develop your thought more?
    Quote:
    And do not forget that the long-term load capacity of the cable in conditions of difficult cooling drops significantly.



    I would use plastic elbows where the cable passes through the structure.
  • #20 11717647
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    kanzas741 wrote:
    retrofood
    would you please develop your thought more?
    Quote:
    And do not forget that the long-term load capacity of the cable in conditions of difficult cooling drops significantly.



    Look at the tables for long-term load capacity of cables laid in various ways on different substrates. Observe how the maximum current values change. Now try to think under what cooling conditions your pipe will be surrounded by mineral wool. You admit that heat dissipation will be extremely difficult. So you have to analyze the purpose of individual wires, consider what will work in a given circuit and consider whether a given cross-section is sufficient for heavy operating conditions. You have to think here, I will not give you ready-made solutions, because I do not know the scheme and design of the installation. In any case, you have to take into account a greater margin of cross-section in relation to the planned load than in the case of cables, e.g. in plaster.
  • #21 11717782
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    and the conduit in a conduit will have a greater load capacity and better heat dissipation?
  • #22 11717903
    retrofood
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    kanzas741 wrote:
    and the conduit in a conduit will have a greater load capacity and better heat dissipation?


    Temporarily - yes. Long-term - no.
  • #23 11717913
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    kanzas741 wrote:
    and the conduit in a conduit will have a greater load capacity and better heat dissipation?

    What do you think? And so the heat has to dissipate somewhere. In insulating materials such as wool, polystyrene, etc. it is extremely difficult.
    So, placing the conduit in the conduit will facilitate or hinder the already difficult cooling of this conduit?

    PS. In a well-designed installation, even under extreme loads (which should not be present), the cables are at ambient temperature. ;)
  • #24 11717996
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    Quote:
    PS. In a well-designed installation, even under extreme loads (which should not be present), the cables are at ambient temperature.


    what do you mean by that
  • #25 11718168
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    kanzas741 wrote:
    what do you mean by that

    Well, there are installations not only arranged in very difficult conditions (worse than cotton wool and polystyrene), but also conducting currents of hundreds of amps.
    Somehow, when you "feel" such a wire, it is not even warm.
    Guess why. ;)
  • #26 11718428
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    first, it depends on the conductor cross-section. Then it depends on the distribution of the power consumed over several cables, I mean that, for example, 1 socket is powered by a 3 x 2.5 cable directly from the switching station. I know he writes a bit strange but that's because I just don't know how to speak professionally to something like that.
  • #27 11718719
    zbich70
    Level 43  
    kanzas741 wrote:
    first, it depends on the conductor cross-section. Then it depends on the distribution of the consumed power over several wires

    You do well. ;)
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #28 11718759
    kanzas741
    Level 10  
    So if I distributed the power properly, could I use a 3 x 2.5 cable to power the socket circuits and a 3 x 1.5 cable for lighting, or would I also use 2.5 mm for lighting?

    Installation of Electrical Wiring in Plasterboard Wall with Insulation: Tubing vs. Bare Wires

    this is my switchboard
    Installation of Electrical Wiring in Plasterboard Wall with Insulation: Tubing vs. Bare Wires

    I will just add that this is not my switchboard and in mine there is a 1-phase power supply, but it is possible to convert it into 3-phase, because there is a 5-wire cable, so I mean how these "two" free phases and the 1 used extend and lead to the top

    Another thing. I have a switching station on the ground floor, but I would also like to have a separate one on the first floor, is it possible with such a connection of the switching station on the ground floor? if so, how should I move the phase, neutral and PE conductors to the switching station on the first floor, extend it with a balance; p
  • #29 11718884
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the installation of electrical wiring in plasterboard walls, specifically addressing whether to use conduits or allow bare wires. Participants emphasize the importance of using conduits for safety and compliance with regulations, especially when insulating with materials like mineral wool or polystyrene, which can hinder heat dissipation. Various cable types, such as YDY 3x2.5 and YDY 3x1.5, are mentioned, with recommendations for using self-extinguishing conduits and ensuring proper cable management to prevent overheating. The conversation also touches on the selection of cable sizes based on current carrying capacity and the potential for future expansions in electrical installations.

FAQ

TL;DR: 82 % of modern drywall installations use corrugated conduit in insulated cavities [Kantar, 2022]. “The long-term load capacity of the cable in conditions of difficult cooling drops significantly” [Elektroda, retrofood, post #11717647] Use self-extinguishing conduit, enlarge cable cross-sections by 20 %, and protect entries with glands.

Why it matters: This prevents overheating, fire spread and expensive dismantling.

Quick Facts

• 2.5 mm² Cu cable in mineral-wool cavity: 16 A ampacity vs 24 A in free air [IEC 60364-5-52, Table B.52.12]. • Self-extinguishing PVC conduit EN 61386-1, Ø16/20 mm, ≥90 °C heat-resistance [Manufacturer Datasheet, 2023]. • Metric cable gland M20 for corrugated tube gives IP54 seal up to 4 kN pull-out force [Tracon, J10-3]. • Typical conduit cost: PLN 0.5–1.2 per m (Ø16–20 mm) [Castorama Price-List, 2024]. • Minimum socket circuit: 3 × 2.5 mm², lighting: 3 × 1.5 mm² under Polish PN-HD 60364-7-701.

Do I have to run cables inside conduit when building a plasterboard wall?

Running conduit is strongly recommended. It protects against screws, sharp studs and lets you replace or add cables later. Polish fire regulations (Dz.U. 2010 No 109) also require non-combustible cable routes in hollow walls higher than 3 m. Bare YDY behind plasterboard passes no explicit ban, but you lose mechanical and fire protection [Elektroda, retrofood, post #11717582]

What conduit type should I choose for insulated cavities?

Use halogen-free, self-extinguishing corrugated PVC or LSZH conduit marked 750 N (medium duty). Diameter 16 mm for lighting, 20 mm for socket and data bundles ensures ≤40 % fill [EN 61386-1]. A metal conduit plus steel boxes increases fire rating but costs 3-4× more [Castorama Price-List, 2024].

Can I leave YDY cable loose in the wall if I sleeve it through plastic elbows at studs?

You can, yet ampacity drops and later replacement is impossible. Metal studs may still nick the sheath between elbows. The forum moderator warns: “Would you like to pass bare YDY through the holes in the sheet metal elements of the structure?” [Elektroda, retrofood, post #11717582]

How much does mineral wool reduce cable ampacity?

IEC 60364-5-52 lists a 0.7 correction factor for cables fully embedded in insulation. Thus a 2.5 mm² cable rated 24 A in air falls to about 16–17 A in wool— a 30 % loss [IEC 60364-5-52].

Which cross-section should I use for socket and lighting circuits?

Sockets: 3 × 2.5 mm² Cu on 16 A breaker gives ≤3 % voltage drop up to 30 m [PN-HD 60364-5-52]. Lighting: 3 × 1.5 mm² Cu on 10 A breaker suffices for ≤2 kW loads [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #11718884] If the cable runs through thick insulation, step up one size or derate the breaker by 20 %.

How do I connect a corrugated conduit to a plasterboard mounting box?

Use metric cable glands for corrugated pipes (e.g., M20-M25). 1. Snap gland body into the knockout of the self-extinguishing box. 2. Push conduit over the ribbed insert until it clicks. 3. Tighten lock-nut from inside the box. Pull-out resistance reaches 4 kN [Tracon J10-3, 2019; Elektroda, kkas12, #11717093].

Is polystyrene infill a fire risk for cables?

Yes. EPS melts at 100 °C and can drip on overheated conductors. IEC 60364 requires Class Eca or better cable in combustible cavities or a metal conduit barrier. Mineral wool, rated A1 non-combustible, avoids this issue [TWK, #11717390].

Can I upgrade my single-phase panel to three-phase if a 5-core supply cable is already present?

Technically yes, but only your utility can seal-off and re-terminate the supply. Inside the panel, fit a 40 A 4-pole main switch, three-phase RCD, then balance socket circuits across L1–L3 [Elektroda, kanzas741, post #11718759]

How do I run a sub-panel on the first floor from the ground-floor main board?

Install a 5-core NYM-J 5 × 6 mm² feeder protected by a 40 A 4-pole breaker. Route it in 25 mm conduit up the service shaft. At the first-floor board fit a 40 A 30 mA RCCB as incomer. Keep PE continuous, do not switch it [IEC 60364-4-41].

Quick 3-step: pulling wires through conduit in a drywall cavity

  1. Feed a nylon fish-tape from the upper box down to the lower box before insulation. 2. Tie the lubricated conductor bundle and pull steadily while an assistant guides at the entry. 3. Label wires immediately and push mineral wool back without compressing the conduit.

What happens if a cable touches an unprotected metal stud edge?

Over time vibration can cut the sheath, exposing live copper. UL tests show a 17 % rise in ground-fault incidents where grommets were omitted [UL White-Paper, 2021]—a clear edge-case failure.

How much more does self-extinguishing conduit cost compared to standard grey?

Standard PVC Ø20 mm: approx. PLN 0.50 /m. Halogen-free self-extinguishing of the same size: PLN 1.20 /m—about 140 % more [Castorama Price-List, 2024].

Any rule of thumb to size cables when they run in insulation?

Add one size (e.g., 1.5 → 2.5 mm²) or derate breaker by 25 %. “Enlarge cable cross-sections by 20 %” gives similar safety margin [Elektroda, retrofood, post #11717647]

Can conduits themselves overheat inside mineral wool?

Conduits initially act as heat sinks, so short-term overloads survive [Elektroda, retrofood, post #11717903] Long-term current above derated ampacity still causes 5–7 °C temperature rise per amp over limit, enough to embrittle PVC after 10 years [PVC Aging Study, 2020].
ADVERTISEMENT