Can Wiring to Wall Socket be Laid Horizontally Along Wall at Near Floor Level?

[Taylortwocities]

Yes. The little treasures (they too should be buried )

 

[Midwest]

I often run my cables (surface) at this point just above the floor on kitchen refurbs, as they are in the service void (plinth area) of floor units, whereby none of the floor units vertical panels will need to be notched to accommodate the cables. This also puts the cables in a place less likely to attract mechanical damage from the fitters installing the kitchen. Unfortunately, electricians work is normally carried out before the plasterer and, as what looks to have happened here, the plasterers move the annoying electrical cables, cos they're getting in the way of their plastering efforts. I would have used more clips, and often use mini trunking for this very reason.

Prescribed zones are all well & good, but it seems that only electricians know about them. Whilst the installation of the horizontal run to the socket is incorrect, a bit of artistic licence should be applied IMO. After all, the horizontal route of the cables could of been left un-plastered and then covered by the skirting.

OP if you are at all concerned, you could get your electrician to chase & install the 'dog leg' the other way or run horizontally from the socket to & behind the floor unit, and then get you plasterer to make good. Or you could leave as is!

 

[Jamchiv01]

Taken from BS7671:

A cable concealed in a wall or partition at a depth of 50mm from a surface of the wall or partition shall:

(iv) be mechanically protected against damage sufficient to prevent penetration by nails, screws and the like or

(v) be installed in a zone within 150mm from the top of the wall or partition or within 150 mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls or partitions. Where the cable is connected to a point, accessory or switchgear on any surface of the wall or partition, the cable may be installed in a zone either horizontally or vertically, to the point, accessory or switchgear. Where the location of the accessory, point or switchgear can be determined from the reverse side, a zone formed on one side of a wall of 100mm thickness or less or partition of 100mm thickness or less extends to the reverse side, or

Summed up this means: If the vertical cable run has no capping, it is okay as it is inside a zone, however as the cable runs at the bottom of the wall horizontally it is outside of the zones and needs to be mechanically protected.

 

[Midwest]

Ten years later Bob's son is called to install new kitchen units, and drills through the cable directly below the socket, he even had his drill plugged into said socket. Moments earlier he had removed the skirting his Dad had installed 10 years earlier, revealing the cables in the incorrect zone, so he used no nails to fix the new skirting

Prescribed zones are a good thing, but only sparks know about them. Not sure of any capping that would mechanically protected cables, apart from conduit of course.

 

[Jamchiv01]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/tower-galvanised-steel-channel-37mm-x-2m-20m-pack-of-10/66834

We can try do all we can to prevent Bobs son from hitting that cable

 

[Taylortwocities]

@jamchi As I suspected, you are able to quote BS7671 regulations without properly understanding what is meant by them.
By quoting that regulation you introduced the concept of "mechanically protected" without making it clear what that means.

The aluminium channel that you have linked to (post #21) does not constitute mechanical protection. Any half decent DIYer can drill through that or drive a nail into without any effort whatsoever. It does not meet the requirements of BS EN 61386-21 or BS EN 50085-2-1.
I suggest you read and understand regulation 522.6 about impact before submiting any more information that might confuse an unsuspecting DIYer.

@Novice12 He is correct though about protecting the cable. As that section of wall will be visible, your best solution is for the cable to be re-run as shown in purple in the helpful (thank you) diagram in Jamchi's post #11.
That puts the cable running horizontally from the socket, where it should be.

If you leave it where it is, it would have to be run in earthed steel conduit, or be run in something like steel wire armoured cable.
Neither of those being easy solutions for you?

 

[Midwest]

@

If you leave it where it is, it would have to be run in earthed steel conduit, or be run in something like steel wire armoured cable.

You sound just like my solicitor. I suspect that horizontal bit will be about 150mm long, after the floor unit's been installed. Of course rules are rules. If I was the house owner I wouldn't bother, unless the sparks has been doing the same all over the house.

PS all the rest of his/her work is questionable or substandard

 

[Jamchiv01]

I have re-read the regulation and realize the mistake I made by posting the metallic capping.

Apologies @Novice12 if I have misled you in any way.

Thankyou @Taylortwocities for correcting me, thankfully I have never got into this situation in the first place, but if I ever do, I know I need to use earthed conduit compliant with BS EN 61386-21.

 

[Midwest]

And what's with all this @ thing now, seen it in other posts too. Bad enough we have to call each by some stupid names

 

[Jamchiv01]

And what's with all this @ thing now, seen it in other posts too. Bad enough we have to call each by some stupid names

Usually it notifies them of them being included in the message so they can see it.

 

[Taylortwocities]

It's me getting down with the kids!

 

[Midwest]

@jamchi As I suspected, you are able to quote BS7671 regulations without properly understanding what is meant by them.
By quoting that regulation you introduced the concept of "mechanically protected" without making it clear what that means.
QUOTE]
I did mention the capping thing in my #20. My riposte was more subtle, don't you think?

 

[Spoon]

It's me getting down with the kids!

You will be wearing your pants round your knees next mate......

 

[richy3333]

Either way, round my parts (oo-er) if you leave that bag of sheet like that laid on the floor slab the mice will just chew threw them. Called out to exactly that problem recently where Brian the bodger had rewired the kitchen a year ago and the mice then had an early supper. What happened to personal pride with ones workmanship?

 

[Jamchiv01]

Brian the bodger

Love it hahaha