Regulations for Mains Wiring

[Martyparty]

Hi,

I’m hoping someone can signpost me to any regulations that exist for installation of mains wiring cable in a domestic setting. An electrician has installed a mains cable within 30mm of wall surface in almost the centre of a wall and I’m wondering if there are regulations against this installation as i’m concerned that about the safety of this work.

Many thanks

Marty

 

[Martyparty]

See the link about safe zones in the first reply. Unfortunate situation, but it is indeed acceptable to have this cable where it is.

Even if the socket does not line up with the position of the mains cable? See pic posted above.

 

[Martyparty]

See the link about safe zones in the first reply. Unfortunate situation, but it is indeed acceptable to have this cable where it is.

 

[nicebutdim]

Even if the socket does not line up with the position of the mains cable? See pic posted above.

Others have mentioned mechanical protection, but I'd wondered if it also fell within a designated safe zone. It's certainly not an ideal situation for you, but I'm not sufficiently well versed on regulations to give an empirical answer.

 

[Martyparty]

Even if the socket does not line up with the position of the mains cable? See pic posted abov

Others have mentioned mechanical protection, but I'd wondered if it also fell within a designated safe zone. It's certainly not an ideal situation for you, but I'm not sufficiently well versed on regulations to give an empirical answer.

Thanks for your info nonetheless! ?

 

[SJD]

I'm wondering what is in the adjacent conduit, possibly the socket cabling, or possibly something else like earth/bonding cables (with the socket cable then a bit further to the right)? If the conduit is for the socket cable, then perhaps the original intent was to have the socket designate a safe zone above, and for whatever reason they didn't line up. Personally I can't see it would have been too difficult to keep the cables above the socket so there is more of a hint there could be something in the wall.

 

[brianmoooore]

Difficult to tell from the pic. whether the cables are within the vertical limits of the sides of the socket or not, but it's always a good idea to proceed with extreme caution if you have to drill within an inch or so of a safe zone, especially when you are well above the fitting.

 

[Martyparty]

Difficult to tell from the pic. whether the cables are within the vertical limits of the sides of the socket or not, but it's always a good idea to proceed with extreme caution if you have to drill within an inch or so of a safe zone, especially when you are well above the fitting.

The cable is 5-6 inches to the left of the left side of the socket.

 

[brianmoooore]

The cable is 5-6 inches to the left of the left side of the socket.

If that is so, then you didn't drill in a safe zone (but should have considered the other side of the wall), but SWA doesn't need to be in a safe zone, so that just makes it an unfortunate accident.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

@Martyparty , unfortunately for you, the cable you drilled into is probably compliant with regs. The 'safe zones' don't have to apply to cables with an earthed metallic covering. We think this is steel wired armoured cable, which would have an earthed metallic covering. Regulations 522.6.202 and 522.6.204 apply

 

[brianmoooore]

@Martyparty , unfortunately for you, the cable you drilled into is probably compliant with regs. The 'safe zones' don't have to apply to cables with an earthed metallic covering. We think this is steel wired armoured cable, which would have an earthed metallic covering. Regulations 522.6.202 and 522.6.204 apply

As above. Installed within the regs.
Poor practice though, especially since fixing the cable a few inches to the right would have put it in a safe zone.

 

[Martyparty]

@Martyparty , unfortunately for you, the cable you drilled into is probably compliant with regs. The 'safe zones' don't have to apply to cables with an earthed metallic covering. We think this is steel wired armoured cable, which would have an earthed metallic covering. Regulations 522.6.202 and 522.6.204 apply

Here’s a pic of the cable if it helps to confirm if this is SWA.

 

[brianmoooore]

The twists and turns of fortune!
This is split concentric, not SWA, and does need to be in a safe zone, or mechanically protected, so NOT installed to regs.

 

[Martyparty]

The twists and turns of fortune!
This is split concentric, not SWA, and does need to be in a safe zone, or mechanically protected, so NOT installed to regs.

Oh I wasn’t expecting to hear that! That puts me in a better position. Thanks so much!

 

[brianmoooore]

I must say, you did a pretty good job with the drill! Absolutely dead centre.

 

[westward10]

So who drilled into the cable.