adding a piece on during a rewire

[Charltonchambers]

We're part way through a full rewire and the vast majority of cabling is now in. We had asked for the sockets to be at new regulation height but for whatever reason we came home to find them all at skirting level. No big deal we thought and left them to it. However 2 bedroom sockets have been "chopped in" (believe is the phrase) just above the skirting and we specifically asked for them to be put above the bedside drawers (say about 1m higher). We can't be moving furniture to plug phone chargers in etc. Unfortunately the cables have been cut at the low level and we said we do need this rectifying. The contractor said he will add a piece on and document it on the Part P. Is this ok to do or could it cause us problems in the future? It will be plastered into the wall.

i think if I'm paying for a rewire it should all be done properly, but perhaps I am overreacting?

 

[Joe B]

Hi. Can someone please clarify the situation regarding 17th Edition reg.s for replacement & additional wall sockets in an existing (Victorian) house?

All the existing sockets are on the skirting boards around the house. I want to totally rewire the house, since it has an old fuse-based consumer unit, and the house is full of spurs on spurs and very old cloth-covered cables. Is it necessary to have all sockets chased into the walls at a higher level, as per the regs.s for installations on new builds, or can the replacement and additional sockets be located on the skirting boards?

Finally, is it best to bite the bullet at this stage and place all sockets at the higher level as suggested by the reg.s? It somehow seems a bit odd to think of sockets so high up on the walls in an old Victorian house.

Your opinions would be gratefully received.

Joe B (DIYer)

 

[davesparks]

In an existing property you can have the sockets at whatever height you wish, and if you already have socket sized holes in the skirting boards I would recommend putting them back in there!
The only thing you need to do is ensure there is space to insert a plug without stressing the cable as it leaves the plug.

 

[Joe B]

In an existing property you can have the sockets at whatever height you wish, and if you already have socket sized holes in the skirting boards I would recommend putting them back in there!
The only thing you need to do is ensure there is space to insert a plug without stressing the cable as it leaves the plug.

Thanks Dave. That makes things easier.

 

[Rpa07]

As Dave says above but if the originals are surface mounted as your 'on' text says then whilst rewiring chase and make flush into walls at the height required. The Victorians won't mind, besides if they had all the devices that we had they would prefer it!
Ps. Joe - how much cash is that in your avatar? Is it all gone?

 

[davesparks]

I'm imagining the old Victorian town house setup with the 18" tall skirting boards with sockets flushed in to them by later generations

 

[R G]

but can you charge vibrators on a USB?

I usually charge the customer myself....

 

[FatAlan]

As I said before. It depends on the Ib of the vibrator .. and thinking about it a bit more, does it count as a special location?

 

[westward10]

As I said before. It depends on the Ib of the vibrator .. and thinking about it a bit more, does it count as a special location?

Depends on who is using it.

 

[Joe B]

As Dave says above but if the originals are surface mounted as your 'on' text says then whilst rewiring chase and make flush into walls at the height required. The Victorians won't mind, besides if they had all the devices that we had they would prefer it!
Ps. Joe - how much cash is that in your avatar? Is it all gone?

Yep, you assumed right - the plastic patris boxes are mounted directly on top of the skirting boards at no more than 4 inches above the floors. So, better to chase into walls just above the skirting boards or go the whole hog and chase up the wall to around what height? Bedrooms, halls, livings,rooms, kitchen/dining room.

Joe B

 

[Andy78]

Yep, you assumed right - the plastic patris boxes are mounted directly on top of the skirting boards at no more than 4 inches above the floors. So, better to chase into walls just above the skirting boards or go the whole hog and chase up the wall to around what height? Bedrooms, halls, livings,rooms, kitchen/dining room.

Joe B

Up to you and the intended usage of the sockets. Best to discuss this with the quoting electricians as they will be able to see the situation first hand.

 

[westward10]

Me personally would remove them from the skirtings you can then make good the damage and restore the skirting. Sockets on skirtings look terrible.