Has my electrician done a dangerous wiring job?

[Homervanderjazz]

Hi I recently had an electrician do a bit of re-wiring to a light switch, however he has run the wires horizontally from the light switch to the fuse box. One of my friends has had a look and said this is dangerous as the wires should go up through the ceiling or down through the floorboards. So my question is is this dangerous and should I get them to re do it as my friend says? Thanks

 

[oldtimer]

Some pictures would be nice

 

[Baker1988]

If they have gone directly horizontal then it is still in the permited safe zone and there for is not dangerous. Is the wire buried int plaster or is it surface mounted in trunking?

 

[Homervanderjazz]

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If it's been wired in what is referred to as T&E, then no, that is not right.
Your friend is actually quite right, the electrician, should go straight up from the first light switch, either into the ceiling or the coving, round the room untill directly above the second light switch, and then down to the point which is behind the fuse box.
It would be alright to do it as shown in the pictures, if the depth of the cables is 50mm or greater, but that has to be from both sides of the wall, or if the cable used has an earthed metallic sheath. Or if earthed conduit or trunking is used. Another option would be to place some kind of mechanical protection over the cables, it would have to be good enough to prevent the cables being penetrated by screws or nails.

 

[i=p/u]

spinlondon says it all apart dodgy... but the guy installing it is probably saying rcd rcd qwill cover it

 

[Deleted member 26818]

spinlondon says it all apart dodgy... but the guy installing it is probably saying rcd rcd qwill cover it

That would be a departure, and the installer would have to note it as such, and attest that it would be just as safe as running the cables in the normall manner.

 

[i=p/u]

would it be an acceptable departure if perosn ordering work said not touching ceilings and floors above...

 

[mogga]

DOES YOUR ELECTRICIAN HAVE "ki" AT THE END OF HIS SURNAME?
TBH LOOKS MORE LIKE DIY "THATS HOW THE GUY IN bNq SAID HOW TO DO IT"

 

[Deleted member 26818]

would it be an acceptable departure if perosn ordering work said not touching ceilings and floors above...

In my opinion no.
There are a number of methods that would allow the work to comply, which would not involve a prohibitive expense.
The method is not generally accepted by industry as being an acceptable method.
It does not involve the use of new materials, which are likely to be become accepted by the regulations at a future date, as a method of compliance.

 

[i=p/u]

i.e earthed/screend cable/conductors???

 

[DNS1]

He could just have gone straight up from the switch, put the horizontal run less than 150mm from the ceiling and then straight down again.

That way RCD protection alone would have done the job.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

i.e earthed/screend cable/conductors???

Use of such conductors, would comply with the Regulations, and not be a departure.

 

[Homervanderjazz]

Thanks for the replies folks, I guess the main point is should I have it done again or have it plastered over the way it is? Thanks

 

[telectrix]

the term that springs to mind is " bear's arse". tell him to re-route it. that is no way acceptable.