Prescribed zones?

solidmik · Mar 11, 2011

could any body help on this matter please, as i have read the onsite guide and checked the wiring regs and came up with the same answer, Q, can u run cables behind skirting boards, they r 50m deep and protected by a rcd, the electrician said that you can run cables in any direction as long as the are protected by a rcd is this correct /

telectrix · Mar 11, 2011

he's wrong. cables should be run vertically and/or horizontally from accessories.

solidmik · Mar 11, 2011

Thank you, what about behind skirting boards they are vertically and horizontally ?

telectrix · Mar 11, 2011

but not directly between accessiries. thinking about it, would you expect cables behind a skirting board when drilling to install central heating pipes, for eg.

tony mc · Mar 11, 2011

Agree with telectrix on this

Put your cables in the zones as per the OSG and if you do have to put them in other places you can as long as the depth or protection critria is met.

As far as behind skirts I would't want to do it especially with big nails on the market IMHO

Martin Bradley · Mar 11, 2011

Does he have a big red nose and big shoes, ive seen and interveiwed a couple of them in my times. LOL

gpz900jim · Mar 11, 2011

i can see how useful it might be to run wires behind skirtings, but i think that it would be frowned upon. If I was drilling through skirtings, I would not expect wires to be there.

solidmik · Mar 11, 2011

Thank you v/m

chiplard · Mar 11, 2011

All prescribed zones must obviously be adhered to but when was the last time a householder knew them all.

Everyone seems to know the H / V rule but not the 6" from ceiling / corner rule.

All is fine until they decide to put some corner shelving or a plasterer holds his coving up with nails while it sets!!

Kind of defeats the object of a safe zone really if the people that need to know don't!!