Kitchen socket installation

[Skimpy Wan]

Hi,

I am rewiring a house (circa. 1900) and I wanted to double-check the cable runs relating to the kitchen sockets.

My understanding of reg. 522.6.6 is that the cables between the sockets / spurs can be run horizontally, however an electrician that I am working with has advised me that "the cables cannot be run horizontally for more than 600mm. Therefore the socket runs should be run within 150mm of the floor and horizontal runs made to each socket before returning to the floor and along the floor again etc". Is my understanding of the 17th edition regs correct or do they need to be installed as he stated?

Also, what height (to the bottom of the sockets) do you personally place sockets above a kitchen worktop - I am aware of reg 553.1.6, but I am intrigued as to what height other people place theirs?

Any help would be appreciated.

Skimpy-Wan

 

[monkeyelectric]

Does he mean just lying the cables on the floor? What a pikey! Nothing wrong with going horizontally from socket to socket as long as the cables are in line of the sockets

 

[Octopus]

Your sparky mate needs to read up on safe zones. He is completely wrong IMHO

 

[Ken77]

Hi,

Notes on cables run within a wall can be found on page 32 of Electricians guide to the building regulations. In this there is no mention of a limit to the length of a run between accessory. I would ask him to recheck this, as I would disagree with his/her statement about 600mm limitation.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

To clarify:

My understanding of the regs are that the cables should be run within 150mm of the corner of walls / ceilings and can then be run horizontally or vertically, however he has stated that the cables should be "run within 150mm of the corner of walls / floor, but the legs to the sockets should be run vertically up to the socket outlet and then back to the floor zone (basically creating a U-shape between each socket outlet).

 

[monkeyelectric]

To clarify:

My understanding of the regs are that the cables should be run within 150mm of the corner of walls / ceilings / floors and can then be run horizontally or vertically, however he has stated that the cables should be "run within 150mm of the corner of walls / floor, but the legs to the sockets should be run vertically up to the socket outlet and then back to the floor zone (basically creating a U-shape between each socket outlet).

Within 150mm of Ceilings and corners but not floors

 

[telectrix]

he's talking out of his arse. 150mm of walls and ceilings, but no way across floor. you're right. he's wrong. end of.

 

[Ken77]

Nothing wrong with that. But you can still run cables horizontally from one outlet to another. This is perfectly acceptable. Look at page 32 in Electricians guide to building regs.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Nothing wrong with that. But you can still run cables horizontally from one outlet to another. This is perfectly acceptable. Look at page 32 in Electricians guide to building regs.

Thanks Ken77, but unfortunately I don't have a copy of "Electricians guide to building regs" (maybe I'll order one late) as I tend to use the On-Site Guide and full BS 7671 text book.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Also, what height (to the bottom of the sockets) do you personally place sockets above a kitchen worktop - I am aware of reg 553.1.6, but I am intrigued as to what height other people place theirs?

 

[monkeyelectric]

Nothing wrong with that. But you can still run cables horizontally from one outlet to another. This is perfectly acceptable. Look at page 32 in Electricians guide to building regs.

Are you saying its acceptable to run cables within 150mm of the floor?

 

[BigTom83]

Google niceic pocket guide 6 - permitted cable routes.

 

[trev]

There's diagrams of safe zones all over mate, show him one of them. As said above, you're right he's wrong.

 

[telectrix]

sockets above worktop need to be high enough above w/t so as not to damage flexes. so 4-6" to bottom of socket.

 

[Stroppy]

Centred between the worktop and wall-cabinets looks most aesthetically pleasing, and will satisfy the flex clearance as above.