Installing a socket belowa bay window.

[SteveT]

Hello all,

I have been asked to install a socket which would be below a bay window. There is a socket on a side wall to take a feed from but there's laminate down so under the floor isn't an option. The next (and really only other) option is to chase horizontally from that socket but as it's a bay window, the wall takes a few turns here and there.

So my question for you is, would it be possible while keeping within prescribed zones round those types of bends?

Thanks,

Steve.

 

[DNS1]

Hmm, that's a tough one.

Going horizontally you'd be going outside the zone on the "sticky out" bit of wall, before going back into the zone when you got to the wall with the socket.

You could of course put the cable in an earthed conduit for that section, but it would be a bit of a faff!

Can you persuade them that they want an extra socket on the "sticky out" bit of wall too to keep the zone intact? I did that a while ago when I had an awkward lighting circuit. I added an extra socket directly below where my drop was going to be, to create a zone.

 

[Fin170]

It would be possible but a ball ache to be sure

Wild solution, could drill outside to a weather proof box outside and route to wherever

Part P and other made up money making schemes pending

 

[SteveT]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Ultimately they'll have to settle for whatever is permissible but would like to try and do it if acceptable, although it is a going to be a buggar (especially filling it all back in)

Fin170, That is a great suggestion but unfortunately it's a terraced house so that's out of the question although I will be nicking that idea!

Steve.

 

[Guest55]

in my mind , the cable safe zones extend onto adjacent walls if the height of the accessories and cable is kept on the same level.
so yes , you can chase round a corner

 

[yellowvanman]

Try BS8436 cable - can route outside safe zones - feels and looks like FP.

eg.
ALSECURE® BS8436 NXS 2,3,4 core, 1.5-6mm - Nexans

 

[telectrix]

horizontally from an existing socket, round a corner is OK.

 

[ayjay]

if your going to chase below a bay window in a very old building make sure its brick, some are constructed using of wooden laths then plastered over

 

[SteveT]

if your going to chase below a bay window in a very old building make sure its brick, some are constructed using of wooden laths then plastered over

Good point, Thanks.

I think i'm going to install the socket around the first corner as near to the window as possible. It's just because they want to put the tv there and they would rather it be behind the tv but unfortunately it's not going to happen.

Thank you all for the replies, very much appreciated.

Steve.

 

[Engineer54]

This is a simple job to be honest, as Tel stated, it'll be fine to chase horizontally around the corner under a Bay Window. Not as if anyone's going to be hanging pictures or the like in that area is it!! lol!!

 

[telectrix]

bear in mind that once you come to the corner, you can the go up or down within 6" of the corner and then come off horizontally to a new accessory.

 

[Geordie Spark]

This is a simple job to be honest, as Tel stated, it'll be fine to chase horizontally around the corner under a Bay Window. Not as if anyone's going to be hanging pictures or the like in that area is it!! lol!!

Ah!! ....... The voice of common sense !!

 

[PKBristol]

You're gonna need to get the hacksaw out (or one of those multitool cutters)if there's an angle bead on the corner.

 

[Engineer54]

You're gonna need to get the hacksaw out (or one of those multitool cutters)if there's an angle bead on the corner.

That depends if this is a relatively new build or not. No such angle beads on the older properties, but then they knew how to build houses properly in those days...lol!!

 

[SYKRAPS]

Use conduit cable Steve if you have any concerns

 

[ayjay]

i think that a very simple /basic socket extension job has turned into a massive deal tbh all this talk of chasing out !!
all this cr-p about "zoning" is anathama to me
----------------
just put the socket where the client wants it!, if you are spurring it from an existing socket thats on the ring run/clip a bit of 2.5 along the top of the skirting board to a surface box stick the face on
job done
i despair

 

[SYKRAPS]

i think that a very simple /basic socket extension job has turned into a massive deal tbh all this talk of chasing out !!
all this cr-p about "zoning" is anathama to me
----------------
just put the socket where the client wants it!, if you are spurring it from an existing socket thats on the ring run/clip a bit of 2.5 along the top of the skirting board to a surface box stick the face on
job done
i despair

Would you be happy with that finish in your home? From an appearance point of view I mean, not regs.

 

[jase]

hey sod it, why not just plug an extension lead in and clip that around the skirting board??

 

[ayjay]

i think it would be far better method than chasing the plaster from the existing socket to the new one
then having the cable filled in with pollifila

Would you be happy with that finish in your home? From an appearance point of view I mean, not regs.

 

[Guest55]

i think it would be far better method than chasing the plaster from the existing socket to the new one
then having the cable filled in with pollifila

if you follow that reasoning to its conclusion , you surface clip all your rewires then ?
;-)

 

[ayjay]

perfect solution jase!
a b&q extension or what ever, as opposed to having the baywindow plasterwork slaughered
you know your stuff!( but) you won,t make any dosh by being honest

 

[ayjay]

of course not what a stupid question biffon

if you follow that reasoning to its conclusion , you surface clip all your rewires then ?
;-)

 

[SteveT]

i think that a very simple /basic socket extension job has turned into a massive deal tbh all this talk of chasing out !!
all this cr-p about "zoning" is anathama to me
----------------
just put the socket where the client wants it!, if you are spurring it from an existing socket thats on the ring run/clip a bit of 2.5 along the top of the skirting board to a surface box stick the face on
job done
i despair

I don't like some of the things written in that book just as much as the next guy but it is what it is. Although I sought of joked about trunking and that went down like the old lead balloon.

I must admit I never saw this getting to two pages either, just expected a "yes" or a "don't be silly".

A simple extension and I wouldn't waste your time (that's what the X factors for) but it's really not as simple as it sounds and I really should of tried to detail the work involve a bit more so i've done my finest picasso.



The black square on the right is the existing socket and they want one under thewindow. Now I would of thought that it wouldn't really be acceptable buried around 4 corners/bends but as it has been said many time here, the regs are open to interpretation.

Oh and I would hope that they wouldn't want a picture 1ft off the ground!

Thanks again gents.

 

[SteveT]

hey sod it, why not just plug an extension lead in and clip that around the skirting board??

Hey, that's how it is already, job done then.

 

[Guest55]

perfect solution jase!
a b&q extension or what ever, as opposed to having the baywindow plasterwork slaughered
you know your stuff!( but) you won,t make any dosh by being honest

How do you know the customer doesnt want the cable chased in ?

 

[Guest55]

of course not what a stupid question biffon

no more stupid than your suggestion of clipping an extension to the skirting.
they wouldnt call an electrician in for that would they ?

 

[jase]

the regs are just a guide, they dont HAVE to be followed???

 

[bigbaddave]

i think that a very simple /basic socket extension job has turned into a massive deal tbh all this talk of chasing out !!
all this cr-p about "zoning" is anathama to me
----------------
just put the socket where the client wants it!, if you are spurring it from an existing socket thats on the ring run/clip a bit of 2.5 along the top of the skirting board to a surface box stick the face on
job done
i despair

If your working on Stevie Wonders house then go for it, Not the best finish is it ?

 

[ferg]

I give up.. 2 sockets straight line between them surely common sense prevails and its inside the zones.
Admittedly there are no pictures of bay windows or short 45 degree walls in the OSG or BGB. but seriously why is this even under discussion.

 

[yellowvanman]

If I go by the plan posted, if you go horizontally from the existing socket you can't go beyond the 2nd corner otherwise you are out of the safe zone.

 

[lauriehurman]

Fig 7.3.2 of the OSG quotes reg 522.6.101 (v) and shows the safe zone NOT extending past a corner.

Laurie
P.S. Don't ask yourself if your interpretation is "right" ask your self if a court would agree with your interpretation.

 

[Engineer54]

Fig 7.3.2 of the OSG quotes reg 522.6.101 (v) and shows the safe zone NOT extending past a corner.

Laurie
P.S. Don't ask yourself if your interpretation is "right" ask your self if a court would agree with your interpretation.

Maybe just maybe an once or two of that elusive commonsense might prevail!! Were talking about a space under a window that's not going to be higher than a metre to a metre twenty five between floor and window sill for gods sake!!!

Just amazes me, how many can't see past what's shown in an illustration, that's given as an example!!! Same goes for the illustration showing 25/16mm tails, so now ALL tails need to be 25mm!! lol!!!!

 

[Silly Sausage]

Chase out the horizontal run and use SY cable, and make sure the braid is earthed at least one end.

Job done! :wink_smile:

 

[Engineer54]

Chase out the horizontal run and use SY cable, and make sure the braid is earthed at least one end.

Job done! :wink_smile:

I wouldn't even bother going that far!!

 

[PKBristol]

Chase round one corner, give them an extra socket for "free", then chase from that socket to the one they originally wanted. Everyone likes something for nothing, everything is still in the zones, you get the work, everyone's happy.

 

[SteveT]

Thanks you all again for the replies.

I'm going to go around one corner and put the new socket on that wall.

The fact that there have been quite a few opinions on what's "right" or not just goes to show that the regs interfere with common sense. They are a guide that are open to interpretation but as it was said earlier, you may have to justify that your interpretation was in line with the current regs and that you consulted that guide when making your choice on what to do.

That's one reason I like these forums, everyones opinion is different and I for one can learn from others thinking.

Life would be boring if we all agreed with each other, agreed??? :smile5:

Cheers,