Can Wiring to Wall Socket be Laid Horizontally Along Wall at Near Floor Level?

[Wilko]

They could be slow workers....

Or deeeep thinkers - been missing you Spoon !

 

[Spoon]

been missing you Spoon !

LMAO.... sorry mate. that just cracked me up. I couldn't imagine anyone on here missing my comments.. You are not after money, are you??? I have none..
I have been around, just don't get as much time to spend on here mate. I'm busy at the mo. Which I'm not complaining about.

 

[Prat P]

Taken from BS7671:

A cable concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of 50mm from a surface of the wall or partition shall:

(iv) be mechanically protected against damage sufficient to prevent penetration by nails, screws and the like or

(v) be installed in a zone within 150mm from the top of the wall or partition or within 150 mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls or partitions. Where the cable is connected to a point, accessory or switchgear on any surface of the wall or partition, the cable may be installed in a zone either horizontally or vertically, to the point, accessory or switchgear. Where the location of the accessory, point or switchgear can be determined from the reverse side, a zone formed on one side of a wall of 100mm thickness or less or partition of 100mm thickness or less extends to the reverse side, or

Summed up this means: If the vertical cable run has no capping, it is okay as it is inside a zone, however as the cable runs at the bottom of the wall horizontally it is outside of the zones and needs to be mechanically protected.

This one always makes me laugh
It says the cables should be mechanically protected and also says it may not be possible to do so

 

[davesparks]

Capping does not provide mechanical protection...
plus I doubt a skirting board will be fitted behind a kitchen unit...
like some of the sparks have advised have it chased in or place it in trunking to give it protection in areas especially were you will be placing the washing machine and dishwasher...

Unless the trunking is steel then it offers minimal protection.

 

[davesparks]

This one always makes me laugh
It says the cables should be mechanically protected and also says it may not be possible to do so

Why does it make you laugh? It's a pretty sensible statement.
The cables require mechanical protection but this may not be possible, to anyone with half a brain cell the meaning is obvious.

 

[Spoon]

Why does it make you laugh? It's a pretty sensible statement.
The cables require mechanical protection but this may not be possible, to anyone with half a brain cell the meaning is obvious.

You're such a happy sole...

 

[Prat P]

Why does it make you laugh? It's a pretty sensible statement.
The cables require mechanical protection but this may not be possible, to anyone with half a brain cell the meaning is obvious.

It makes me laugh because if you read it as it is written it is contradictory...its quite self explanatory ..to anyone with half a brain cell

 

[Pete999]

It makes me laugh because if you read it as it is written it is contradictory...its quite self explanatory ..to anyone with half a brain cell

 

[Prat P]

If I knew how to add music videos I would have gone for 'send in the clowns'

 

[davesparks]

It makes me laugh because if you read it as it is written it is contradictory...its quite self explanatory ..to anyone with half a brain cell

I don't see the contradiction, it states what protection is required and advises that this is often not possible. It doesn't say that it is never possible

 

[Toneyz]

our local independent electrical wholesaler sells capping that is supposed to comply with this regulation they sell it to the new housing electricians that do for the likes of Barratt's etc. for use of meter tails & sub-distribution circuits. 3mm thick steel I think it is sorry can't find it on their website to post.

 

[Midwest]

our local independent electrical wholesaler sells capping that is supposed to comply with this regulation they sell it to the new housing electricians that do for the likes of Barratt's etc. for use of meter tails & sub-distribution circuits. 3mm thick steel I think it is sorry can't find it on their website to post.

Lee provided a link to such a while ago, I recall.

 

[Pete999]

Hello,

I have had my 2 story house rewired and one of the low level wall sockets on the ground floor is wired with wires that run horizontally along the wall at floor height and then travel up the short distance to the socket from underneath it.

My question is whether this is good practice.

The ground floor is concrete and the 1st floor wooden joists and floorboards. I think other low level wall sockets on the ground floor have had the wiring run down from above and I would have thought this socket would have been done like this too. I think maybe the builder forgot about it so it was an addition, would this explain why he has wired it like this?

The wall the wiring runs along will be part of the kitchen so kitchen base unit for a sink will cover it up to some extent although I am leaving spaces for a non-built-in washing machine and dishwasher along this wall too.

Any advice would be very much welcome.

Thanks,

A

 

[Pete999]

The answer to your question is a simple no regulation 522.6.202 explains OSG Page 77 there is a pretty picture as well. Obviously your Electrician has not read, or has little idea of what "safe zones" mean sorry for being blunt but any self respecting Electrician or Domestic Installer should know this. Un less it's more than 50mm below the wall surface ans enclosed in earthed Metallic protection.

 

[Taylortwocities]

And earthed "metallic protection" does not mean a weedy bit of ally capping.

It would mean a proper chunk of earthed steel conduit, that protects all sides of the cable.

 

[Pete999]

Can't see what all the fuss is about, it's in black and white. or to be PC dark and light in the Regs as already posted. It's not as if it's rocket science