ᐅ Drilling through an empty conduit in the ceiling at a single point?
Created on: 18 Feb 2024 12:46
K
KeishadowK
Keishadow18 Feb 2024 12:46Hello,
I have a question or rather a “problem” that I would like to explore in terms of feasibility. Without a practical solution, it remains just an idea.
What I want to achieve is to install a light fixture at a specific spot on the ceiling. Normally, this is hardly possible. However, there is an empty conduit within the ceiling at that location. The conduit runs across the ceiling from one side of the room to the other and hasn’t been used. I had it installed “just in case.” I know the conduit runs approximately where I want to place the light fixture through the ceiling. The problem is that I can only estimate the exact position of this conduit within about +/- 10cm (4 inches). I certainly can’t drill a hole with a 20cm (8 inches) diameter and just 1cm (0.4 inches) deep into the ceiling to locate the conduit and then reroute it downward. So, I’m fully aware this is practically impossible to do. But maybe there is a trick or some new technology I’m not aware of? For example, possibly using some kind of inspection camera (endoscope) to go through the conduit with a small transmitter attached whose position can then be precisely detected, allowing a single borehole of 2cm (0.8 inches) diameter to hit the conduit exactly? Of course, one would still have to drill carefully to avoid the steel reinforcement, which complicates matters further. So, it’s kind of a “mission impossible.” :-) But maybe there really is a technical solution?
I have a question or rather a “problem” that I would like to explore in terms of feasibility. Without a practical solution, it remains just an idea.
What I want to achieve is to install a light fixture at a specific spot on the ceiling. Normally, this is hardly possible. However, there is an empty conduit within the ceiling at that location. The conduit runs across the ceiling from one side of the room to the other and hasn’t been used. I had it installed “just in case.” I know the conduit runs approximately where I want to place the light fixture through the ceiling. The problem is that I can only estimate the exact position of this conduit within about +/- 10cm (4 inches). I certainly can’t drill a hole with a 20cm (8 inches) diameter and just 1cm (0.4 inches) deep into the ceiling to locate the conduit and then reroute it downward. So, I’m fully aware this is practically impossible to do. But maybe there is a trick or some new technology I’m not aware of? For example, possibly using some kind of inspection camera (endoscope) to go through the conduit with a small transmitter attached whose position can then be precisely detected, allowing a single borehole of 2cm (0.8 inches) diameter to hit the conduit exactly? Of course, one would still have to drill carefully to avoid the steel reinforcement, which complicates matters further. So, it’s kind of a “mission impossible.” :-) But maybe there really is a technical solution?
The ceiling is, I assume, made of reinforced concrete? If so, you could try running electrical cables through it, energize them, and then attempt to locate them with a detector.
Using a radar wall scanner would provide even more precise results, but these are mostly professional devices. However, if you can find one to rent (online, perhaps), you can accurately identify both the steel reinforcement and live electrical cables.
Alternatively, you could try running warm water through the conduit and then use infrared imaging (or thermal film) to trace the path. Similar to detectors used for underfloor heating systems.
Using a radar wall scanner would provide even more precise results, but these are mostly professional devices. However, if you can find one to rent (online, perhaps), you can accurately identify both the steel reinforcement and live electrical cables.
Alternatively, you could try running warm water through the conduit and then use infrared imaging (or thermal film) to trace the path. Similar to detectors used for underfloor heating systems.
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