Depth to chase out electrical cables to

[spada01]

I've just paid an NICEIC spark to do some work to include adding some new sockets in a kitchen.

He's only chased out the plaster to 15mm (so not removed any brick) and guys I've used before went a good bit deeper. I've told him I'm not happy, but he insists that 15mm is an adequate depth.

Is he correct or is this against regulations?

 

[kfelec]

if its rcd protected it will be fine

 

[1john]

as stated, as long as it's RCD protected fine, why make more work and repair than required.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Check on the Plastering & Rendering forum. My concern would be that the depth of plaster you'll end up with won't be enough, and you might get cracks or discoloration from thermal effects over time, but I know SFA about plastering.

 

[kfelec]

good point

 

[1john]

nah nah nah, it will be fine. i have pulled out cable that has been under 2/3mm of skim for years.

 

[spada01]

as stated, as long as it's RCD protected fine, why make more work and repair than required.

Just want a proepr job done and to regs - I paid this guy a lot to get an NICEIC spark and am sure I've heard cable needs to be deeper into wall than this.

Does anyone know what the NICEIC regs state on this? Is there a mandatory minimum depth?

 

[1john]

as stated, as long as it's RCD protected fine, why make more work and repair than required.

Just want a proepr job done and to regs - I paid this guy a lot to get an NICEIC spark and am sure I've heard cable needs to be deeper into wall than this.

Does anyone know what the NICEIC regs state on this? Is there a mandatory minimum depth?

It is a proper job, and to the regs if RCD protected. there are no 'NICEIC regs' they have guidlines but nothing concerning plastering.

 

[TicklyT]

There is a requirement for cables NOT protected by an RCD or installed in steel conduit to be buried at least 50mm below the finished surface, but cutting chases that deep in the average wall is risking your house falling down.

 

[ebee]

"Sufficient to give protection" is the correct depth.
15mm is the amount of plaster that "should" be on the brickwork and this amount is often accepted as the amount required for a cable to be sitting on a wall with plaster on top to give adeqate mechanical protection (lght scuffs etc). Ideally a brick wall would not be chased but in practice there is often less that 15mm on a wall so chasing of brickwork does take place but not so deep as to weaken the wall.

It must be 50mm deep (rare) if it is out of zone or not requiring an RCD
If less than 50mm deep it must be within zone and RCD protected

Unless it is mechanically protected by a metal sheath such as conduit etc

 

[MalcofArabia]

as stated, as long as it's RCD protected fine, why make more work and repair than required.

Just want a proepr job done and to regs - I paid this guy a lot to get an NICEIC spark and am sure I've heard cable needs to be deeper into wall than this.

Does anyone know what the NICEIC regs state on this? Is there a mandatory minimum depth?

Honestly there are no Regs appertaining to a maximum depth. In this case the regs state that if the circuit cable is not buried to a depth of 50mm then it should meet certain criteria ie RCD protected, run in certain zones etc and I'm sure yours is.

Mostly we would cut a chase into a wall of about 30mm as this would give a good key for bonding and also would not leech the white colour from the trunking. This can mean cutting into brick or block but in some cases plaster can be applied quite thickly to cover a mulitude of sins. So it just may be your sparks found that and did not need to cut brick or block.

If the making good took ok and no colour leech then it's deep enough.

 

[holmslaw]

..