Safe way for Filling Hole Behind Electrical Mains Panel Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[PKJO]

Hi,

We're insulating our former council house and there's a large hole behind the electrical mains panel where the wires go into the cavity wall. What is a safe way to fill this hole?

[kbrownie]

If this is cavity wall, it is consider bad practise to route cable within them!
Are these circuit cables or supply cables? Thermally insulating electrical cable, will reduce the safe current carrying capacity and the circuit should be de-rated accordingly, which could require the cable size being increased or the breaker/fuse rating being reduced.

[PKJO]

Thank you. The circuit cables are all run through the cavity wall and into the panel which is on an interior wall underneath the stairs. It seemed odd as we saw the cables run under the first floor boards and into the top stair. At some point they must be routed out to the cavity and then back in. The supply comes through the floor. We will have an electrician come out.

[ericmark]

In my house cavity wall insulation has not been used where the meter is, it by luck is part of integral garage, but one has to be careful not to use cavity wall insulation around the cables. Standard plaster can be used to stop draft but not any insulation material.

Some insulation material can leach out the plasticiser with some old cables and make them brittle. They are OK if not moved, but better to avoid putting and expending foam and like near any cables.

[lets have a look]

expanding foam