Running ac mains cable in the wall horizontally

bjdodo

I'd like to install a new socket in our living room. As I do not want to lift the floor nor do I want to open the ceiling, the simplest is to make a horizontal groove in the wall from an already existing socket and run the cable horizontally within the wall. Someone told me that cables should only ever be run vertically and if I insist on doing it horizontally I should use an extra cable type. Unfortunately I forgot the name of this extra cable type. Could someone please let me know the type of the cable to purchase for this project. Thank you!

aido79

bjdodo wrote: »

I'd like to install a new socket in our living room. As I do not want to lift the floor nor do I want to open the ceiling, the simplest is to make a horizontal groove in the wall from an already existing socket and run the cable horizontally within the wall. Someone told me that cables should only ever be run vertically and if I insist on doing it horizontally I should use an extra cable type. Unfortunately I forgot the name of this extra cable type. Could someone please let me know the type of the cable to purchase for this project. Thank you!

The reason it is not advisable to run a cable horizontally is because it increases the chances someone drilling through it. If you can find a type of cable that cannot possibly be drilled through then this is the type of cable you need.
I don't believe such cable exists so you may have to look at other options.

Samuel T. Cogley

Stick it under the skirting?

2011

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Stick it under the skirting?

This is not permitted.

2011

Once sufficient mechanical protection is provided the cables can be run horizontaly. For example steel conduit would provide the necessary protection.

Risteard81

2011 wrote: »

Once sufficient mechanical protection is provided the cables can be run horizontaly. For example steel conduit would provide the necessary protection.

Although many seem to dislike horizontal runs, they certainly aren't prohibited and are within so-called "safe zones" and as such do not require earthed metallic protection such as steel conduit or SWA or MIMS. It is perfectly acceptable to bury PVC/PVC cable in a wall horizontally between two accessories.

Risteard81

bjdodo wrote: »

Someone told me that cables should only ever be run vertically and if I insist on doing it horizontally I should use an extra cable type.

Ask him to cite the ET101 Rule number which he is claiming is breached by the arrangement.

el diablo

SWA. :pac:

seamus

Running the cable externally through some plastic conduit is far quicker and easier than trying to run it behind the plasterboard. Run it along the top of the skirt and you won't even notice it's there. You can get different sizes and colours of conduit to blend it in.

Unless you're fitting a new socket to an exposed internal wall like in a hallway or you're repainting the wall anyway, I'd always go with just running it along the skirt in some conduit

hufpc8w3adnk65

seamus wrote: »

Running the cable externally through some plastic conduit is far quicker and easier than trying to run it behind the plasterboard. Run it along the top of the skirt and you won't even notice it's there. You can get different sizes and colours of conduit to blend it in.

Unless you're fitting a new socket to an exposed internal wall like in a hallway or you're repainting the wall anyway, I'd always go with just running it along the skirt in some conduit

Trunking would be better for this then conduit

gctest50

extra sockets horizontally ?

say no more

2011

Risteard81 wrote: »

Ask him to cite the ET101 Rule number which he is claiming is breached by the arrangement.

I would think that this he is referring to 522.6.4, (page 83 of ET101:2008) which states:

Wiring embedded in solid walls

Wiring embedded in solid walls or in unbuttoned dry-lined walls shall be protected by an earthed metal screen, armouring, metal conduit or trunking, against damage by impact or penetration by drills or nails except where the following two conditions apply:

a) The distance measured horizontally between the wiring and the reverse side of the wall is not less than 50 mm.

b) The wiring is installed:

- in a straight vertical or horizontal run going directly to a point, accessory or switchgear mounted on a wall, or
- within a vertical distance of 150 mm from a ceiling, or
- within a horizontal distance of 150 mm from a corner formed by two adjoining walls.

Risteard81

2011 wrote: »

Risteard81 wrote: »

Ask him to cite the ET101 Rule number which he is claiming is breached by the arrangement.

I would think that this he is referring to 522.6.4, (page 83 of ET101:2008) which states:  

Wiring embedded in solid walls

Wiring embedded in solid walls or in unbuttoned dry-lined walls shall be protected by an earthed metal screen, armouring, metal conduit or trunking, against damage by impact or penetration by drills or nails except where the following two conditions apply:

a) The distance measured horizontally between the wiring and the reverse side of the wall is not less than 50 mm.

b) The wiring is installed:

- in a straight vertical or horizontal run going directly to a point, accessory or switchgear mounted on a wall, or
- within a vertical distance of 150 mm from a ceiling, or
- within a horizontal distance of 150 mm from a corner formed by two adjoining walls.

Those two conditions will invariably apply though - this applies equally to horizontal and vertical routing anyway so he can't claim one is fine and the other prohibited.

2011

Risteard81 wrote: »

Those two conditions will invariably apply though - this applies equally to horizontal and vertical routing anyway so he can't claim one is fine and the other prohibited.

True, but I can't think of any other rule that discusses mechanical protection for wiring embedded in a solid wall. I am guessing that the OP is dealing with a solid wall as the plan is to "make a horizontal groove in the wall".

Risteard81

2011 wrote: »

Risteard81 wrote: »

Those two conditions will invariably apply though - this applies equally to horizontal and vertical routing anyway so he can't claim one is fine and the other prohibited.

True, but I can't think of any other rule that discusses mechanical protection for wiring embedded in a solid wall. I am guessing that the OP is dealing with a solid wall as the plan is to "make a horizontal groove in the wall".

Of course, but if he has tracked the wall to such an extent that the reverse side of the wall is less than 2" from the wiring then I would suggest he is likely to have compromised the structural integrity of the wall!

Tuco88

Reci news letter 2016 has a good graphic of can and cannot. Last section of letter.

http://www.reci.ie/LatestNews/OurNewsLetter.aspx

bjdodo

Thank you for everyone's post, you guys were really helpful.

From the newsletters in Tuco88's post I believe the page that applies to this case is in the 2016 August one on page 7.

One quote from this:

"Although cable routes are shown on the drawing below, horizontal chases should be avoided (unless approved by an engineer) as they
can seriously weaken the structure if not in compliance with Part ‘A’ (1.1.3.21) of the Building regulations and the National Annex to I.S. EN 1996-1-1. "

So apparently it is a structural risk and not a problem related to drilling or electrical regulations. I'll go ahead and do this. Thank you again for all your help.