zone question

[simpson93]

may seem like a very stupid question to some but the truth is i dont know, do blanking plates count as acessories and have safe zones in the same way a socket does?

thanks

 

[markythesparky]

They are an accessory. It's the wiring that has safe zones no the accessory.

 

[simpson93]

They are an accessory. It's the wiring that has safe zones no the accessory.

sorry could of worded it alot better, do they provide the same safe zones

 

[Richard Burns]

A blank plate would indicate that there is wiring at that point and therefore the safe zones in relation to that point should be observed.
Whether they are observed is quite another matter!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

new safe zones can be created as well by the presence of accessories...
this would need to be observed on both sides of a partition wall...

 

[markythesparky]

They are an accessory. It's the wiring that has safe zones no the accessory.

sorry could of worded it alot better, do they provide the same safe zones

Not with you. They don't provide safe zones- the wiring to the outlet that has a blank plate should be wired with the safe zones in mind.

 

[Richard Burns]

Not with you. They don't provide safe zones- the wiring to the outlet that has a blank plate should be wired with the safe zones in mind.

Safe zones are defined by the location of accessories (and the walls), horizontally and vertically from an accessory is a safe zone, therefore if there is an accessory (a blank plate) on the wall the H and V from it are safe zones.

 

[markythesparky]

Isn't that what I said?

 

[telectrix]

i think what the OP meant was that if an accessory had been removed and replaced with a blank plate, would that position still count as a reference point for a safe zone.

 

[Richard Burns]

Isn't that what I said?

Errm didn't you say that accessories do not provide safe zones, it is the wiring that has to be in safe zones, or placed with thought regarding safe zones?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i think what the OP meant was that if an accessory had been removed and replaced with a blank plate, would that position still count as a reference point for a safe zone.

well...you`d think so...i mean what if theres cables still present within the zone of the blanking plate...
its the cables that safe zones apply to...
accessories just demonstrate the presence of cables and provide a reference point for the safe zones (150mm)...

 

[simpson93]

was thinking of if cables had been previosly surfaced mounted and needed chasing in, and no safe zone avalible you could provide one with a blanking plate if needed

 

[telectrix]

i meant horizontally and vertically ( hows that fr spelling after 7 pints) from the blank plate, same as fr a sochit, sockcet, whatever.

 

[markythesparky]

was thinking of if cables had been previosly surfaced mounted and needed chasing in, and no safe zone avalible you could provide one with a blanking plate if needed

Do you mean that you would install a box with a blank plate over it and run the cable through it, in order to chase a cable where you need to.

 

[Richard Burns]

was thinking of if cables had been previosly surfaced mounted and needed chasing in, and no safe zone avalible you could provide one with a blanking plate if needed

Yes I suppose so. So long as there are cables in a flush box visible behind it otherwise someone might think it was just covering a damaged wall and remove it.

 

[simpson93]

Yes I suppose so. So long as there are cables in a flush box visible behind it otherwise someone might think it was just covering a damaged wall and remove it.

exactly what i was thinking,

thanks for the help guys

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i meant horizontally and vertically ( hows that fr spelling after 7 pints) from the blank plate, same as fr a sochit, sockcet, whatever.

hmm...i`ll have 10 pints of grammar please...

 

[telectrix]

scenario being a socket outlet that the client wants moving, say 3 foot horizontally from the existing position. the new socket will define the safe zone that the extended cable runs. however, the existing down drop would no longer be in a safe zone if there was not a blanking plate over the ols position to indicate a safe zone both vertically and horizontally from it.

 

[NickD]

BS7671 definitions, "Accessory - A device, other than current using equipment, associated with such equipment or with the wiring of an installation".

I would say a blanking plate is not associated with current using equipment. (How can it be? It's a blanking plate. It connects to naaaathing.)

Is a blanking plate "associated" with the wiring of an installation? It's not connected to it. You could argue it's a *disassociation* from the wiring system, almost. I guess you're on stronger ground if the M3.5 screws are earthed.

You could see how some unsuspecting homeowner could bang a screw in above it, hit a cable, get a shock and say "But I thought it was OK...look, there's nothing in the sockety thing...".

Just my 2p's worth.

 

[telectrix]

hmmm, an interesting point. the jury's out at the moment, beer glass needs refilling. no doubt some more sober minds will comment, but meanwhile, i'm taking jack daniels to bed, g'night all.