Earthing cable running through kitchen cupboards

[WellBonded]

Hi,
A few days ago I posted a question regarding some earth bonding work that was recently carried out at my home. The question was about bonding to the main incoming earth.

Today I have noticed that the cable which bonds to the water main has been run through the interior of two cupboards (a food cupboard and the cupboard under the sink), rather than the service void that exists behind the cupboards.

When I was initially shown the work, the cupboards were full and I could only see that the cable attached to the stop cock and appeared to run along the service void.

Having emptied the cupboards today, it is apparent that the contractor has run the cable inside the cupboard for the majority of the route (as shown by the attached pictures).

There is access to the side of the service void (although it is enclosed with a wooden panel). It would have been somewhat fiddly to drill a hole and feed the cable, but possible.

I suppose this is not immediately dangerous, because it is not a live cable, but it strikes me as a shortcut and as poor workmanship.

I wondered if anybody had any thoughts on whether this was at all acceptable.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[Guest666]

If you are just storing light materials in there no real issues as far as BS7671 is concerned. Damn right rude to install in this way without running it past you first IMO.

 

[Plonker 3]

Just a complete bodge, should have installed it in some mini trunking at least to give it some mechanical protection and support it correctly.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Just a complete bodge, should have installed it in some mini trunking at least to give it some mechanical protection and support it correctly.

Yes and it wouldn't have been much more difficult than bashing those clips in.

If not running it in the void behind the units I would have been looking at running it underneath behind the plinth.

 

[Anthony S]

I reckon a plumber put that in for his mate the sparky to connect up.

 

[Plonker 3]

Yes and it wouldn't have been much more difficult than bashing those clips in.

If not running it in the void behind the units I would have been looking at running it underneath behind the plinth.

Sticky back trunking and you dont even need to screw it down.

 

[WellBonded]

I reckon a plumber put that in for his mate the sparky to connect up.

It was done by an electrician, a couple of weeks ago. I brought him in just to do the gas and water bonding.

 

[davesparks]

Then bring him back to do it properly!

 

[WellBonded]

Then bring him back to do it properly!

Yes, I will be in touch with him.

I should have checked more thoroughly before paying him.

EDIT: In my defence it did appear to run from the stopcock into the service void, but I should have checked the whole route.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Sticky back trunking and you dont even need to screw it down.

Yep!! ..... That's the stuff!!

 

[Geordie Spark]

I reckon a plumber put that in for his mate the sparky to connect up.

A plumber wouldn't lower himself to have a sparky as a mate and even if he did he'd never admit it!! :sailor:

 

[ipf]

A plumber wouldn't lower himself to have a sparky as a mate and even if he did he'd never admit it!! :sailor:

Only cos he wouldn't like to pay him :dunce2:

 

[telectrix]

on the other hand... behind the cupboards, in the void, how would he clip the cable to comply with BS7671?

 

[ipf]

Think it'd be more work doing what he did rather than feeding below the units!....without clips, of course.

 

[davesparks]

Yes, I will be in touch with him.

I should have checked more thoroughly before paying him.

EDIT: In my defence it did appear to run from the stopcock into the service void, but I should have checked the whole route.

It's not your fault at all, you should be able to trust a tradesman to do a good job

 

[telectrix]

Yep!! ..... That's the stuff!!

but what if the space under the cupboards is an escape route? then you'd need to secure the cable with metal fixings/clips.:49:

 

[davesparks]

on the other hand... behind the cupboards, in the void, how would he clip the cable to comply with BS7671?

Where in bs7671 does it say that cables must be clipped?

 

[Octopus]

OK. Lets ask the obvious question.

How much did you pay for this?

 

[ipf]

on the other hand... behind the cupboards, in the void, how would he clip the cable to comply with BS7671?

Dont see much clipping of bonding cables in existing voids in such situations....can't really see a prob.

 

[Guest666]

Where in bs7671 does it say that cables must be clipped?

Cables should be adequately supported throughout it's length.