Hiding Wiring

[36TEAK36]

Hi,

I have wall lights either side of my chimney breast which I would like to remove for good. I have removed the 2 lights, so am now just left with the wiring which I have wrapped in insulating tape. If I were to cut a hole into the wall, would it be safe for me to bury the wires in the hole and plaster over the top?

[Count-A-Strong]

Erm......NO! You need to find whether they go to a junction box ( probably in bedroom floor) or directly to a switch and disable the whole circuit.

[Count-A-Strong]

Meant to also say, sounds like you need a qualified electrician.

[36TEAK36]

Thanks for your answer Count, but could you explain why my idea would not be safe.What would the hazards be if I went ahead and did this? I knowledge regarding electrics is non existent, so it would be good to know the hazards.

Is there not something that I could just fit to the end of each wire to make it safe?

The 2 lights that I removed did not work anyway.The wiring is very old and snaps quite easily, so I was just hoping that there was a way to bury the wiring without too much hassle or expense.

[ChuckFickens]

Two reasons I can think of straight away,

1) potentially live wires buried in wet plaster (water and electricity don't mix)
2) potentially live wires buried in a wall with no external indication they are there (asking to be drilled through in the future)

[Count-A-Strong]

Exactly chuck. Not to mention the small risk of fire if the wet plaster makes the cable short out at the junction box. You need a quLified electrician!

[The Builder]

I have to agree with Arthur and Chuck Teak ..............
You can do what you say if you are 100% sure they are not connected to a supply somewhere. It shouldn't be hard to find out for sure.

[36TEAK36]

Good points chuck.

Maybe this would work.In one of the upstairs bedrooms the are 2 small boxes on the wall, a bit like a plug but without the holes, just a cover over the top. I think that the previous owners once had 2 lights above their bed, but decided to remove them.

[alavahalf]

When your partner gets the money from your life insurance policy ... Make sure you tell them to get an electrician in to finish the job .... have sorted your will out yet ..!

[AlBags]

If you cannot get at the wiring, connect into a small terminal box, screw this into the wall backing, cover, and replaster over.

[jomifl]

Redundant wiring should be disconnected and removed by a qualified electrician. How do you know it is not connected somewhere? just because the lights did not work does not mean that the wires are not or cannot be live at some time. A disconnected neutral line will prevent the light working but it will still kill you or burn your house down.