Safe zones for wiring.

AtomsForPeace

Hi. Can an electrician on here answer me a quick query. We are getting some work done on our house and this involves a.small.amount of wiring work. The electrician has cut a channel along the very bottom of the wall to run several cables to the next room. I suppose this will be plastered over and then skirting board will cover that. There is an existing socket on the same wall about three inches up. This new channel is below and to the right of this alongside the floor. This seems off to me. Am i right in saying the only safe zone is in direct right angles to the wall socket? The guy is RECI registered but to my limited knowledge what he has done aint viewed.as safe. Am i wrong ?

adrian92

Am not sure exactly what your question is, or the perceived problem

Perhaps,in the first instance, discuss with your electrical contractor, who could explain, I would think, his/her reasoning why the work is being carried out in the manner it is.


Perhaps I am missing something, but not sure what the problem is.

2011

I don't really understand your question either, but horizontal chases are only permitted for short distances (can't remember how long) and it is not permitted to run cables behinds a skirting board. However cables are allowed to cross behind a skirting board at right angles.

Risteard81

There is no length limiting horizontal tracks (bar any structural issues). They can be horizontal or vertical, or within 150mm (6") of the coming or corners (but not floor).

Behind the skirting board is a no no.

AtomsForPeace

Risteard81 wrote: »

There is no length limiting horizontal tracks (bar any structural issues). They can be horizontal or vertical, or within 150mm (6") of the coming or corners (but not floor).

Behind the skirting board is a no no.

He has run cable outside what i understand to be permitted safe zones. Directly behind where skirting board will go.. maybe his reasoning is that it shouldnt be plastered in to the wall so its visible.. my feeling is he has taken the easiest option.. it looks dodgy to me anyway as an amateur. I will quiz him later.

AtomsForPeace

Heres a pic to explain it.

:eek:Is that socket staying there ?

AtomsForPeace

BrownFinger wrote: »

:eek:Is that socket staying there ?

I assume it is. No.mention of taking it out.

Shouldn't have to mention it,any decent spark wouldn't be able to walk away from that.
Especially when the wall is being chased all ready.

AtomsForPeace

BrownFinger wrote: »

Shouldn't have to mention it,any decent spark wouldn't be able to walk away from that.
Especially when the wall is being chased all ready.

It is a dry wall. Cutting a chase would take no time. Maybe he is worried about existing wiring or something ? It is an old house. The only other reasoning i can think of is.. maybe the fuse board makes the whole area drirectly under it a safe zone? Im confused by his logic.

2011

Not pretty. For a start move the socket up higher on the wall, secondly cabling can’t be run behind a skirting board like that.

Sharp MZ700

Easily rectified provided there's no pipework behind that plasterboard. What's on the other side of that wall OP?

Risteard81

AtomsForPeace wrote: »

It is a dry wall. Cutting a chase would take no time. Maybe he is worried about existing wiring or something ? It is an old house. The only other reasoning i can think of is.. maybe the fuse board makes the whole area drirectly under it a safe zone? Im confused by his logic.

A DB is an accessory so will have prescribed zones above, below and to the sides also.