Wires passing through a 2 Gang Box

[dp3]

Hello, can i check if this setup would be aloud in current regs?



Are you aloud to pass wires through a back box providing they are within the 150mm zones Vertically & Horizontally?

The back box will have a double socket attached.

Thanks

 

[telectrix]

it is allowed, but make a note that the socket enclosure has 2 circuits enclosed. an alternative would be to chop a bit of masonry behind the back box and divert the upstairs cables behind the box.

 

[dp3]

it is allowed, but make a note that the socket enclosure has 2 circuits enclosed.

Thanks, that's great. Where would a note need to be made? at the CU end or a sticker of some sort within the back box?

 

[telectrix]

both. like the irish wearing 2 condoms... to be sure, to be sure.

 

[Darkwood]

I wouldn't be doing this on a new circuit as in this instance it would be poor design and for whatever reason if doing this as a new install you should be finding other routes, it can also lead to confusion if say the the downstairs socket screw pierced the upstairs routed cables giving a short or high impedence fault which I would suggest could be a bugger to find for any unsuspecting sparky... if a housing, enclosure etc contained more than one circuit where as in normal circumstances it wouldn't be expected to have the its usual to make it at that point... I cannot see it looking too pretty to have labels over the sockets in a domestic scene.

 

[telectrix]

i'd put a label inside the k/o box, just to make future sparks aware. it might be theat OP wants to use the kitchen socket as a safe zone indicator for the upstairs wiring.

 

[Pete999]

Been trying to clarify this question by looking t the Regs, but can't pinpoint any specific Reg covering this issue. I have to admit I always thought it was a no no, can anyone give me any pointers to which Reg covers this.

 

[Darkwood]

i'd put a label inside the k/o box, just to make future sparks aware. it might be theat OP wants to use the kitchen socket as a safe zone indicator for the upstairs wiring.

I would say you can simply just go around the edge of the box as oppose to through it and it would still fall in zone too.

 

[dp3]

I wouldn't be doing this on a new circuit as in this instance it would be poor design and for whatever reason if doing this as a new install you should be finding other routes,

The reason I am thinking of going down this route is because of the way the top of stairs/landing/joist runs and getting down into the under stairs cupboard without using surface trunking or corner boxing in the kitchen is going to be a pain in the back side.

So the easiest route i could see was to use the safe zones H&V from a socket.

hope this clears that bit up.

 

[Pete999]

The reason I am thinking of going down this route is because of the way the top of stairs/landing/joist runs and getting down into the under stairs cupboard without using surface trunking or corner boxing in the kitchen is going to be a pain in the back side.

So the easiest route i could see was to use the safe zones H&V from a socket.

hope this clears that bit up.

The problem doing it your way is that in order to gain access to the upstairs RFC wiring you would need to isolate both the upstairs and down stairs RFCs, I am convinced there is something in BS 7671 that prohibits this type of thing, but cant put my finger on the specific regulation, your question was does this comply, not sure, hence my question to the two guys Tel and Darkwood earlier.

 

[dp3]

The problem doing it your way is that in order to gain access to the upstairs RFC wiring you would need to isolate both the upstairs and down stairs RFCs, I am convinced there is something in BS 7671 that prohibits this type of thing, but cant put my finger on the specific regulation, your question was does this comply, not sure, hence my question to the two guys Tel and Darkwood earlier.

Okay yeah i see your point as the wire passes through another circuit, could you tell me what RFC stands for in this instance? i only know it as Request for Comments

 

[Pete999]

Okay yeah i see your point as the wire passes through another circuit, could you tell me what RFC stands for in this instance? i only know it as Request for Comments

Ring Final Circuit as opposed to the old title Ring Main

 

[Spoon]

There is a reg saying that you can't do it with light fittings but I'm not sure about back boxes. I like Tels idea in post 2. Problem solved.

 

[telectrix]

yep.time for the scutch.

 

[Pete999]

There is a reg saying that you can't do it with light fittings but I'm not sure about back boxes. I like Tels idea in post 2. Problem solved.

Me as well, still don't make sense running the upstairs Ring through the downstairs ring back bos plain stupidity if you ask me