Kitchen wiring problems

[Peter Wood]

Hi people
Having a new kitchen done so wanted some more sockets and a couple of cooker points put in. Electrician done this and chased new wires into the wall. You can see this by the different texture of plaster in the picture. However my kitchen fitter has refused to complete the work until the wiring runs vertical, he says wiring that’s running horizontally and diagonal should be condemned!!!??? Any thoughts. Many Thanks

 

[Jamie']

3rd pic from bottom is that running horizontal???

All cables should be kept in zone as to Reg 522.6.101

https://i.stack.Upload the image directly to the thread.com/nls0x.png

 

[Peter Wood]

3rd pic from bottom is that running horizontal???

Running diagonal to a cooker point for the electric hob that will be cut into the worktop

 

[Leesparkykent]

The diagonal chases are not right if the chases are less than 50mm deep, don't have sufficient mechanical protection to stop penetration by screws, nail and the likes of, not in earthed metallic containment or if the cable used is of a type that has no earthed armour/sheath like MICC, SWA or bs8436 cable. In other words if the diagonal cable chases have standard twin and earth in capping, pvc conduit and are less than 50mm from the surface then it's wrong. Either way it looks like bad workmanship.

 

[Daniel Oake]

The diagonal chases are not right if the chases are less than 50mm deep, don't have sufficient mechanical protection to stop penetration by screws, nail and the likes of, not in earthed metallic containment or if the cable used is of a type that has no earthed armour/sheath like MICC, SWA or bs8436 cable. In other words if the diagonal cable chases have standard twin and earth in capping, pvc conduit and are less than 50mm from the surface then it's wrong. Either way it looks like bad workmanship.

Is it acceptable to be less than 50mm deep and no mechanical protection if it is covered by a 30mA RCD? (522.6.7)

 

[buzzlightyear]

is there tiles going on the walls ?

 

[Pete999]

3rd pic from bottom is that running horizontal???

All cables should be kept in zone as to Reg 522.6.101

https://i.stack.Upload the image directly to the thread.com/nls0x.png

Safe+zones+for+electrical+wiring - - Yahoo Image Search Results - https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVje.sEZanrcAH0knnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEyMHJxZmlpBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjQ3NzZfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Safe%2Bzones%2Bfor%2Belectrical%2Bwiring&fr=yhs-mozilla-102&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-102
As you can see from the drawings posted diagonal cable runs is not allowed by BS 7671

 

[Leesparkykent]

Is it acceptable to be less than 50mm deep and no mechanical protection if it is covered by a 30mA RCD? (522.6.7)

No would still require it to be run in prescribed zones.

 

[Pete999]

Safe+zones+for+electrical+wiring - - Yahoo Image Search Results - https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVje.sEZanrcAH0knnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTEyMHJxZmlpBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjQ3NzZfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Safe%2Bzones%2Bfor%2Belectrical%2Bwiring&fr=yhs-mozilla-102&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-102
As you can see from the drawings posted diagonal cable runs is not allowed by BS 7671

The kitchen fitter is right in this case, although you can see the cable runs via the new plaster, it's still the wrong thing to do, if the kitchen guy wont complete the work due to the poor workmanship, get the spark back to do the work properly. Are there any certificates issued, I take it he has been paid, has the work been notified to the LABC?

 

[PEG]

Let me be the first to say a mini "respect",to the kitchen fitter.

A rare and valued piece of foresight,which,could save all manner of issues,long after he has gone.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Basically, horizontal runs are OK, diagonal are not.

 

[123]

Oh dear
Horizontal can be fine, diagonal is just pure laziness and not acceptable (I doubt it's been run in SWA or the like).

PS Could your painter not have moved the kitchen roll in the 3rd pic rather than paint around it

 

[David M]

I have come across wiring done this way many times over in kitchens, its basically laziness by the electrical installer based on the assumption the area is going to be tiled over so the cable is never likely to suffer mechanical damage in the future. The kitchen fitter, though correct about the diagonal wiring sounds like he's blowing it a little bit out of context,(though that could just be my interpretation of your post) But well done him for actually taking note rather than just blundering on with the job!!
This aside the "electrician" should know the safe zones which this type of cabling can be run and should have installed it to the regs within those zones! You are well within your right to ask the electrician back to correct the faults.
I never understand the point of running the cable diagonally like in your pictures??? its not like its a big job to just chase straight down to just below the work top height where usually the cable can then be surface mounted.

 

[Strima]

I think the spark should also invest in a spirit level...

 

[123]

I think the spark should also invest in a spirit level...

I do a lot of kitchens...
This looks like one of those, I'm the spark don't know any other trades so I don't care efforts. So then the plasterer will follow on the same.
FWIW have never fitted faceplates before a plasterer comes along that I like, tbf never been that kind of knob to even those I dislike