Cable in Plastic trunking

[markadams]

I am due to start a house rewiring job in the new year, due to the customer having the house fully decorated it needs to be done using plastic trunking.

They have had a couple of other quotes that have said that the trunking must be run from the ceiling in a straight line to the socket (which would be a metre or two from the corner of the wall)

I was planning on running the trunking in the corner and then along the top of the skirting to the socket, I cant find anything in the regs or on-site guide to say I can't do this.

Can anyone see any problems with this?

Mark.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I am sorry but that is madness. 'Well it was a 2.5mm main earth bond before I re-wired so as long as we don't go worse we are fine'. When doing a re-wire you should be bringing the whole installation up to current standards.

We are talking about socket heights not main earthing!

 

[trev]

Yes really. The problem is people like to pick and choose the regs they follow. This is not only a elec reg but a building reg also. I know it is never followed domestically this is why the domestic sparks out there are not thought of to well in the commercial world. It is as clear as daybthat if you put socket outbof that range you are not installing to the regs. Agreed? If you disagree please quote a reg to me.

On a domestic rewire the wishes of the home owner trumps that buiding reg. It has been discussed on here at great length. It is followed extensively on new builds, and rightly so and that is because the end user of the property is usually unknown.

 

[andyelectric]

Yes really. The problem is people like to pick and choose the regs they follow. This is not only a elec reg but a building reg also. I know it is never followed domestically this is why the domestic sparks out there are not thought of to well in the commercial world. It is as clear as daybthat if you put socket outbof that range you are not installing to the regs. Agreed? If you disagree please quote a reg to me.

Obviously you are on a wind up. There can surely be no other explanation. Only question is 'are you a current member in disguise?'

 

[Guest125]

We are talking about socket heights not main earthing!

I know but my point was you can't approach it like that. The full installation should be done to current standards.

 

[Guest125]

On a domestic rewire the wishes of the home owner trumps that buiding reg. It has been discussed on here at great length. It is followed extensively on new builds, and rightly so and that is because the end user of the property is usually unknown.

Listen I do think it is a stupid reg but my point still stands. It is ridiculous but it is a reg mate. We should not pick and choose what we follow because it is unpopular. Show me a reg that says we can install to what is existing and I will apologise and go away.

 

[Guest125]

Obviously you are on a wind up. There can surely be no other explanation. Only question is 'are you a current member in disguise?'

I don't have a clue what that means.

 

[uksparks]

I care too much about my reputation and standard of work, so if someone wanted it in conduit / trunking on the surface, I would just say no and walk away, I wouldn't want to be associated with it.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I know but my point was you can't approach it like that. The full installation should be done to current standards.

Of course you can approach it like this, with regards to socket and switch heights it's a rewire! New builds etc,obviously you adhere to the 450-1200mm heights.

 

[uksparks]

On a rewire? Really?
Mate, you're in a hole. Stop digging

Well I would generally, well not insist they put them at the new height, but strongly encourage them to come into line. I do believe its only guidance when considering a rewire though.

It's a rewire, so the sockets and switches shouldn't be installed at a height worse than the original state.

That's how I was trying to phrase it, but in reality there's not a chance I would put the sockets back on the skirting, its just a nonsense.

 

[trev]

Listen I do think it is a stupid reg but my point still stands. It is ridiculous but it is a reg mate. We should not pick and choose what we follow because it is unpopular. Show me a reg that says we can install to what is existing and I will apologise and go away.

"Approved document M recommends that in new dwellings only switches and socket outlets for lighting and other equipment should be between 450 and 1200 mm from finished floor level"
Straight from approved doc P mate.

 

[trev]

Well I would generally, well not insist they put them at the new height, but strongly encourage them to come into line. I do believe its only guidance when considering a rewire though.
That's how I was trying to phrase it, but in reality there's not a chance I would put the sockets back on the skirting, its just a nonsense.

It is only guidance on a rewire mate, now of course we're none of us going to put sockets where flexes can be stressed and there's actually nothing wrong with putting them at 450. I think it looks ok but if the homeowner wants them somewhere else then all we can do is advise.

 

[Gavin A]

Agreed, but installing the sockets on top of a skirting board on a surface box ( at a height of no worse than the original installation) I would say has covered this.

Not according to the part p document. The bit you're working on has to be to current part P and BS7671 standards, the rest of the installation can be left no worse than you found it - ie you don't need to upgrade the rest of the installation, but do need to ensure your work complies with current regulations.

 

[Guest125]

"Approved document M recommends that in new dwellings only switches and socket outlets for lighting and other equipment should be between 450 and 1200 mm from finished floor level"
Straight from approved doc P mate.

Part M or Part P??

 

[trev]

Part M or Part P??

Yes, part P quotes from part M because all the various parts of the building regs are interrelated. It's not just part p that the domestic lads have to comply with.

 

[Gavin A]

"Approved document M recommends that in new dwellings only switches and socket outlets for lighting and other equipment should be between 450 and 1200 mm from finished floor level"
Straight from approved doc P mate.

so it does.

so the bit about having to apply the current regs to your work doesn't apply to this regulation. Confusing.