Would i know if I’ve accidentally drilled into cable

[dogstail]

Hi all, new here and just after a bit advice.

I won’t pretend to know the first thing about electrics as I don’t at all. Basically I’ve just recently plasterboarded a huge new build extension and I got thinking/worrying the other day in case as some point I could have accidentally drilled or slightly nicked a cable with a screw. The sparky has since second fixed and completed the job and done all the appropriate tests etc. If a screw has somehow contacted a wire (even just slightly nicked it), would it definitely show when he’s carried out testing etc?

Sorry if this sounds remarkably amateurish!

 

[littlespark]

If the sparks tests are ok, then I think all is well.
If a screw connects between live and earth, say, then it will become evident on testing.
Same if there’s a clean break through the cable.

If a screw is just touching live, without either breaking or shorting out.... the plasterer will soon tell you there’s a problem... metal float.

Everything should be 100% fine. That’s why we do the testing.

Unless the spark in question is a bit of a hi ho silver type.... cutting corners by not spending time testing properly.

 

[dogstail]

If the sparks tests are ok, then I think all is well.
If a screw connects between live and earth, say, then it will become evident on testing.
Same if there’s a clean break through the cable.

If a screw is just touching live, without either breaking or shorting out.... the plasterer will soon tell you there’s a problem... metal float.

Everything should be 100% fine. That’s why we do the testing.

Unless the spark in question is a bit of a hi ho silver type.... cutting corners by not spending time testing properly.

Thanks ever so much for your reply. I should have said I also plastered it fully before the second fix. Would there be other ways that would alert a problem of a screw just touch a live and not breaking or shorting out?
I don’t know the sparky personally but I’ve been told he’s very pedantic, so I very much doubt any corners would have been cut

 

[Strima]

If a screw has just caught a live conductor then testing may very well not identify it. Only if tests are carried out between the conductors and each individual screw which would be excessive.

Once the plaster is dry the likelihood of someone receiving a shock is very slim although it has been known for people to receive tingles from damp plaster.

If you Google Mary Wherry there is always a risk not matter what you do.

 

[dogstail]

If a screw has just caught a live conductor then testing may very well not identify it. Only if tests are carried out between the conductors and each individual screw which would be excessive.

Once the plaster is dry the likelihood of someone receiving a shock is very slim although it has been known for people to receive tingles from damp plaster.

If you Google Mary Wherry there is always a risk not matter what you do.

Thank you, although that is a rather scary & worrying read. So there’d be no way of ever checking this is this case now the house is totally finished? The plaster has been dry since July and there’s been no problems that I’m aware of

 

[buzzlightyear]

Once the plaster is dry the likelihood of someone receiving a shock is very slim although it has been known for people to receive tingles from damp plaster.

unless they put a hook for a picture .

 

[littlespark]

I wouldn't worry now. If its been fine for this long, nothing will happen.

Even professional dry liners sometimes screw into a cable, and believe me, they wont be worrying about it 4 months later, so neither should you.

 

[Spoon]

You should get yourself a cable/stud detector, then you can check for cables next time you are doing some DIY, before you do any drilling..

 

[buzzlightyear]

You should get yourself a cable/stud detector, then you can check for cables next time you are doing some DIY, before you do any drilling..

I bet his wall is like dart board .

 

[Rpa07]

There dogstail, all is well and now, if you want something else to worry about - Co2 levels are at their highest for 3 million years.

 

[Dave OCD]

Crikey Rpa, you have a heck of a memory !!

 

[Rpa07]

You haven’t checked the update then - the ‘meeeeemo’!
It’s actually 300 million but what’s 297 million between mouth breathers?

Crikey Rpa, you have a heck of a memory !!

 

[PEG]

I've thought for a long time now,that a second set of testing should be carried out,after first soaking all the walls.
The fella at the IET,hung up on me...

 

[Rpa07]

I was testing a house that had a flood top to bottom from a faulty cistern.
I had to renew 2 legs of lighting cable that, on IR testing, failed due to the extra damp now in the walls, both had screws touching conductors.
1st flooded place I’ve done, so much work and so much mould!
What a mess water makes, I think I’ll leave that to the wetpants oh, and @happyhippydad!
Sorry in advance HHD

 

[dogstail]

Thanks for all the reply’s. I admit I most likely am making a big deal over little and worrying too much. Am I right in thinking even in a worst case scenario of a screw going through a live conductor, that the fact it’s a new cu and will have rcd protection would eliminate the risk of anything serious occurring?
Sorry in advance if that’s totally innaccurate by the way!

 

[Strima]

@dogstail why the dumb rating?

 

[dogstail]

@dogstail why the dumb rating?

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So sorry about that. I didn’t mean to do that at all. Must have somehow clicked the wrong thing. As you can probably tell I’m a total novice around here!