Chasing ring main cable into wall - DIYer

[MTBOO]

Hi

We haves moved and new place has a bedroom with double plug socket in internal stud wall. There is a spur off this to another double socket which is mounted on (not in) adjoining wall but around a corner and about 3 metres away. However cable is protruding outside of side of first socket and tacked along skirting and then round corner to other wall mounted socket sitting just above skirting but housing is loose.

I want to chase along walls and bury existing cable and put the other socket into wall with double patress and wire it up.

Basically hide cable which will run about 5 to 10 cm above skirting along first wall, round corner then along to second socket.

Floor is not an option as horrible tongue and groove type board.

Is this allowed full stop and can I do this as a DIYer. Technically just rewrite of existing cable into new socket in wall?

 

[telectrix]

as long as you keep the cable horizontally, level with the 2 sockets ( no up and down parts of the run ) it will comply. 4 other considerations:
1. are you competent to isolate and make safe before starting
2. is the circuit RCD protected.
3. you need to know if the original socket is part of a ring final circuit, and if so, you can only have 1 outlet spurred off.
4. might be better to call in a local electrician. the circuit would then be tested to ensure your continuing safety.

 

[DPG]

One thing to bear in mind is whether the circuit has RCD protection - this may be the reason that the socket was added with surface-mounted wiring.

 

[DPG]

Tel bet me to it (and wrote a better reply). Doh.

 

[Rpa07]

And checked his spelling before posting (which is unusual for him)

Tel bet me to it (and wrote a better reply). Doh.

 

[Rpa07]

How about the ‘going around the corner’ bit as it won’t be horizontal between accessories making it thus a safe zone-age! I can’t think of a better way and if it’s an owned house then they only need to know.

 

[telectrix]

How about the ‘going around the corner’ bit as it won’t be horizontal between accessories making it thus a safe zone-age! I can’t think of a better way and if it’s an owned house then they only need to know.

will be safe zones. each socket gives the zone on each wall. if necessary could go up or down within 6" of the corner.

 

[Rpa07]

See without those big blue lines painted on your wall Tel, I wouldn’t look at that and see a horizontally chased cable. I would see two sockets vertical from above or below but then I would check with my checker thingy where most would not.
Can’t see many people hanging pictures that low.
How do you know it’s an internal angle, it may be external.

 

[telectrix]

See without those big blue lines painted on your wall Tel, I wouldn’t look at that and see a horizontally chased cable. I would see two sockets vertical from above or below but then I would check with my checker thingy where most would not.
Can’t see many people hanging pictures that low.
How do you know it’s an internal angle, it may be external.

in that case he could fit a wi-fi socket.

 

[DPG]

It would still be in zone for an external corner. The zone extends out in all 4 directions from any socket.

 

[Rpa07]

I guess zones are for electricians and no one else!

It would still be in zone for an external corner. The zone extends out in all 4 directions from any socket.

We’re the only ones that pay attention to it.

 

[telectrix]

kitchen fitters know about safe zones. they hardly ever miss cables with a drill.

 

[MTBOO]

Not sure about being part of a ring final circuit...assume it’s ok as it was already there.

Original socket is just above skirting. Spur will be slightly higher around 20 cm on other wall (to line up with others in room ) so chasing on first wall will slope up slightly say 20cm up over 2 metres .

Not RCD protected as CU is old wired fuse style but is being replaced soon

 

[Hoon]

Without completing the necessary tests you have no way of knowing if the work you complete is safe.
In fact you have no idea if the system your fitting it too is safe to start with.
So it’s a no I’m afraid.
Electricity kills
Get an electrician

 

[westward10]

No additional rcd protection then no. Cable ascending 20cm then no.

 

[telectrix]

so chasing on first wall will slope up slightly say 20cm up over 2 metres .

that's a big fat NO. cable run must NOT "slope". if you need to step up the level you must do it as a step in the corner within 150mm.

 

[telectrix]

and as said by westie and others, you need to leave this job till your electrician replaces the CU (fuse board) with on the provides RCD protection, generally to ALL circuits.

 

[rsgaz]

Are they both stud walls? Why all this talk of 'chasing'?

Is there a loft above?

 

[Hoon]

Not sure the RCD is a problem they could always put a rcd socket on.
Agreed they look ugly but no more than repairing the wall will look, stud wall or not.

I’m more interested if we can satisfy A.D.S first.

 

[westward10]

The lack of additional rcd protection is a problem for the cable in the wall, fitting an rcd socket will not resolve this.

 

[MTBOO]

IF we get the RCD sorted out, can the cable elevate or does it need to be spirit-level level !

 

[Hoon]

Agreed unless they get the cable 2 inches in the brick if it is brick than it needs a rcd.
If you go two inches deep your probably over a 1/3 ofnthe brick so a no go on that front.
A RCBO maybe?
I’m personally still more concerned with the state of the cpc than additional protection for a cable.

 

[westward10]

What is the problem with the cpc.

 

[Wilko]

When a cable is not able to be seen (i.e. you've hidden it in the wall) there are safety regulations that apply. You've probably guessed there was, which is why you put forward your original question. Have another read, all the info is here already .

 

[MTBOO]

Confused. Most of the sockets in the house and light switches have cables in walls , although directly up from floor or down from loft...so what’s the difference ?

Someone suggested loft which I didn’t think about, although additional socket is on an external wall and original spurred from in on an internal wall.

I’m going to try and raise the original socket so it’s off the skirting and in-line with where I want to put the spurred socket. Will then run cable in wall in conduit directly across (2m), round internal corner and then directly across to (2m) to new socket. Will wire it in, make good and then get electrician to test it when the RCD protected CU goes in later this month.

 

[Andy78]

Leave the socket alteration until the CU change and ask for it done as an extra job.
You shouldn't be doing this work without the ability to install, test, and certificate to the standards of the wiring regs.

 

[MTBOO]

according to my read of the regs, you can go directly horizontal both ways from socket until you reach corner or door etc. If in safe zone then can be less than 50mm in wall. I think I need to think about whether anyone in the future could reasonably assume there is a cable run between the two points.

Due to RCD requirement I think it is best left to when the protection is in place .

Thanks for the feedback everyone.