Safe zones and Earth cables

[default]

Sorry I wasn't clear.
First photo shows the proposed route.
Second shows the windowsill removed and reveals the box the electricity meter is contained in.
I'd like to bury the cable as opposed to running it surface mounted.
If (and as I wrote above, it doesn't make any sense, but regs sometimes don't make sense) the rules regarding the location of buried cables apply here then I see I have the following options:

1) Surface mount to a position where I can drill through into the back of the electric cupboard.
2) Channel out and conceal the cable running down the corner, but surface mount the section that runs across the wall until I can drill through into the electric cupboard. If I did this, I'd run the horizontal conduit just above the skirting.
3) Drill through to exterior for some/all of cable run - cosmetically I think this is the least desirable option.
4) Find a way to run the cable as illustrated in red, that IS allowed by the regs if possible? E.g. fitting a blank faceplate?










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Why do you need to upgrade the main earth?

 

[Vortigern]

Anyway that stuff whatever it is in the walls would not comply as to safe zones by the looks of it so attaching cables of any kind I would not do. That is strange!

 

[default]

The main earth. The supply is currently connected to the Consumer Unit with 2x6mm earth cables which need upgrading to a single 16mm cable.

Main fuse is 100A.

Tails are 25mm I think.

Either surface inside or as its been said drill outside and clip directly. Make sure the main tails are 25mm or they'll have to be upgraded as well.

 

[bookworm1632]

"As it is clipped direct and it is apparent where it is running to I do not think you need to worry about it. The whole idea is avoiding hidden cable being damaged. This is not hidden just goes straight through the wall to the other side where it can be seen so very little chance of someone deciding to drill exactly where the cable goes through. That is if I am understanding you correctly in your description."

See this makes no sense to me.
How could there be a risk in drilling into an earth cable, that was magically NOT there when drilling into an earthed conduit?

The two are at exactly the same potential at all times.

 

[default]

Anyway that stuff whatever it is in the walls would not comply as to safe zones by the looks of it so attaching cables of any kind I would not do. That is strange!

Actually what is that??

 

[bookworm1632]

Actually what is that??

What is what? The second photo?
You see the top/back of the electric meter cupboard with the tails and earth cables emerging - they disappear into the wall cavity and work their way around to the Consumer Unit.

 

[littlespark]

There's a 150mm safe zone down the internal corner anyway.

If the existing cable goes into a cavity... can you tie on the new cable and pull it up through the same route?

 

[default]

"As it is clipped direct and it is apparent where it is running to I do not think you need to worry about it. The whole idea is avoiding hidden cable being damaged. This is not hidden just goes straight through the wall to the other side where it can be seen so very little chance of someone deciding to drill exactly where the cable goes through. That is if I am understanding you correctly in your description."

See this makes no sense to me.
How could there be a risk in drilling into an earth cable, that was magically NOT there when drilling into an earthed conduit?

The two are at exactly the same potential at all times.

If you want to install it internally then on the surface. Clipped or in containment.

 

[default]

What is what? The second photo?
You see the top/back of the electric meter cupboard with the tails and earth cables emerging - they disappear into the wall cavity and work their way around to the Consumer Unit.

Ok. What's the white T&E. You'll have to fire seal all that as well.

 

[bookworm1632]

I had thought about this - if possible it's the ideal solution, but the cable doesn't feel that loose and there's at least one pinch point where it runs through the side of the plywood frame the plastic electric box is mounted in, before it enters the cavity.

It's certainly worth a try, but I don't have high hopes of success.