Electrical socket in window reveal

mrsWhippy

Hi,

Can you put an electrical socket in the reveal of a window, or does that go against building regs?

Cheers

Gumbo

Can't see any reason why not as long as RECI and electrical regulations permit

Metric Tensor

I don't know about whether RECI rules have anything to say about it but it might prove difficult to incorporate it into your air-tightness envelope and indeed difficult to fit if (as is the case in many/most houses now) there is no return block on the reveal.

Not saying it's not possible - just that it needs careful thought! And checking with your electrician of course!

mrsWhippy

Metric Tensor wrote: »

I don't know about whether RECI rules have anything to say about it but it might prove difficult to incorporate it into your air-tightness envelope and indeed difficult to fit if (as is the case in many/most houses now) there is no return block on the reveal.

Not saying it's not possible - just that it needs careful thought! And checking with your electrician of course!

Ok! Thanks. Good points.

What is a 'return block'?

Metric Tensor

It's often referred to as an L-Block mrsWhippy. The blockwork in the inner leaf of the cavity wall turns outwards at the window (returns) and almost meets the outer leaf of blockwork.

Easiest way to spot it is to look at your reveal (before it's covered over):

What is blocking your view of the insulation in the cavity:
a. An insulated cavity closer - will probably be coloured and plasticy - in that case you don't have a return block - which is good for insulation but leafs you with nothing to hold up your socket!
b. Blockwork - you have a return block / L-block - which is poor for insulation (and mostly outdated) but would give you a solid fixing for your socket - (although I'm not sure how it would be properly chased!)

mrsWhippy

Metric Tensor wrote: »

It's often referred to as an L-Block mrsWhippy. The blockwork in the inner leaf of the cavity wall turns outwards at the window (returns) and almost meets the outer leaf of blockwork.

Easiest way to spot it is to look at your reveal (before it's covered over):

What is blocking your view of the insulation in the cavity:
a. An insulated cavity closer - will probably be coloured and plasticy - in that case you don't have a return block - which is good for insulation but leafs you with nothing to hold up your socket!
b. Blockwork - you have a return block / L-block - which is poor for insulation (and mostly outdated) but would give you a solid fixing for your socket - (although I'm not sure how it would be properly chased!)

Very interesting. I'm trying to dissect what has been specified in our plans.

Is it the outer leaf that turns in, or the inner leaf that turns out?
And why is this bad for insulation reasons?

Cheers!

Metric Tensor

Inner leaf that turns out and then stops within approx. 25mm of the outer leaf.

It's bad from an insulation point of view because it's a portion of the wall that will have less insulation than the rest and hence will be a "cold bridge."

If you photograph just a tiny section of that portion of the drawing and upload it someone here will be able to tell you pretty quickly without giving away any identifying information.

fatty pang

Metric Tensor wrote: »

It's often referred to as an L-Block mrsWhippy. The blockwork in the inner leaf of the cavity wall turns outwards at the window (returns) and almost meets the outer leaf of blockwork.

b. Blockwork - you have a return block / L-block - which is poor for insulation (and mostly outdated) but would give you a solid fixing for your socket -

Perhaps even more significantly it would also give solid grounds for fixing straps for windows and in particular doors. Unfashionable but hardly unnecessary.

Metric Tensor

fatty pang wrote: »

Perhaps even more significantly it would also give solid grounds for fixing straps for windows and in particular doors. Unfashionable but hardly unnecessary.

Agreed. The more reputable window manufacturers seem to be trying various things to get around the problem.

BryanF

fatty pang wrote: »

Perhaps even more significantly it would also give solid grounds for fixing straps for windows and in particular doors. Unfashionable but hardly unnecessary.

Unfashionable !?!

fatty pang

BryanF wrote: »

Unfashionable !?!

I am seeing more and more wide cavities without a closer block. When queried the reply is invariably "its reducing the cold bridge".
So what do you want to fix that double height screen to then?

BryanF

fatty pang wrote: »

I am seeing more and more wide cavities without a closer block. When queried the reply is invariably "its reducing the cold bridge".
So what do you want to fix that double height screen to then?

If you need structure to fix to, you ask for it.
There doesn't need to be a compromise in thermal continuity.

sydthebeat

fatty pang wrote: »

I am seeing more and more wide cavities without a closer block. When queried the reply is invariably "its reducing the cold bridge".
So what do you want to fix that double height screen to then?

any triple glazed double height window ive seen installed lately has needed steel box sections to fix to. Standard blockwork wouldnt even have been sufficient.

as per bryans post, the solution should be engineered out prior to commencement. The window manufacturer should be able to read the plans to say "X" window will need specific engineered fixing.

tedimc

mrsWhippy wrote: »

Hi,

Can you put an electrical socket in the reveal of a window, or does that go against building regs?

Cheers

Presumably for lights in the windows? I've actually put in a single socket and 5A socket directly under the window boards centered in the window. Starting plastering soon, so not sure how it will look when finished but hopefully won't look too bad.

bertie 56

mrsWhippy wrote: »

Hi,

Can you put an electrical socket in the reveal of a window, or does that go against building regs?

Cheers

Try the " electrical " forum, there is a few sparks there that knows well the regs .

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1018

fatty pang

sydthebeat wrote: »

as per bryans post, the solution should be engineered out prior to commencement. The window manufacturer should be able to read the plans to say "X" window will need specific engineered fixing.

Apologies for the delay in coming back on this one but you’d be surprised how often a window supplier is only engaged when opes have been constructed. This applies equally to large projects as to one-off builds. Not a problem with curtain walling as everybody involved is generally on the ball regarding loads and fixing points.