Is my wiring ok

[leeandra]

Hello

I am looking for a bit of advice. About 4 or 5 years back when we were making home improvements and doing some repairs, we removed the plaster from the walls in our house taking it back to brick (We had a bit of a damp problem and the plaster had seen its day to be honest). We then dot and dabbed plaster board on to the walls.

The wiring wasnt altered. It runs vertically down the wall to the plug sockets, however some of it is encased in plastic capping, and some of it isnt (The wiring isnt to a depth of 50mm which ive seen some posts say on here).

 

[Taylortwocities]

There is no requiremetn to use capping. It is primarily there to save the cables from the plasterer's sharp tools.
It sometimes can be used to pull new cable through, at replacement time.

So assuming the cables run in safe zones then you are good to go./

BTW Did your home improvements include an up to date, RCD protected, consumer unit?

 

[leeandra]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Yes there is a new RCD unit.

Just remembered the cables run diagonally in one part of the downstairs (was like this when we moved in). Runs from under the stairs which is where the RCD box is, to the upstairs, again only plasterboard over that with plastic capping.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The wiring isnt to a depth of 50mm which ive seen some posts say on here.

That's not the requirement.

New cables concealed at a depth of less than 50mm. must be RCD protected.

That does not mean bury them more than 50mm. That will likely contravene the building regulations which limit chase depths to one sixth horizontally and one third vertically of the leaf (brick/block) thickness.

 

[Risteard]

New cables concealed at a depth of less than 50mm. must be RCD protected.

That's a slight generalisation. It depends on the wiring system employed really.

 

[EFLImpudence]

True, but where the OP has seen the reference to <50mm. depth it will be in connection with RCD protection and it is logical to mistakenly think >50mm. is required.

 

[Taylortwocities]

That's a slight generalisation. It depends on the wiring system employed really.

Yes, but we can expect that most of the cables in the OP's house will be general PVC/PVC twin&earth.
So, RCD protected, things would appear to be in order.

 

[Risteard]

Oh, I agree. I was just pointing out that cables concealed at a depth less than 50mm do not necessarily require additional protection, although it would be the normal method with domestic wiring practices. But there is nothing to prevent us from wiring a domestic property with singles in earthed metallic conduit (other than cost of course!).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Just remembered the cables run diagonally in one part of the downstairs (was like this when we moved in). Runs from under the stairs which is where the RCD box is, to the upstairs, again only plasterboard over that with plastic capping.

Buried cables are not allowed to run diagonally like that.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Needs clarification. I am thinking (hoping) that the diagonal run is the under side of the stairs and withing 150mm of the underside of the stair ceiling.
@leeandra can you confirm please?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Not sure that the underside of a stair counts as a ceiling...

 

[Iggifer]

Not sure that the underside of a stair counts as a ceiling...

Suppose it depends if it's got plasterboard on it! I reckon you'd have to say it does, as it forms a ceiling underneath the stairs.

That being said, I wouldn't use that as a safe zone, but I've seen it done

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hmmmm...

 

[sparkwright]

I would THINK to run a cable parallel to the underside of some stairs within 150mm would be ok. Also, I THINK it's the same as running in a wall corner, again within 150mm.

If one can run cable in a corner, and under a ceiling, then surely if there is a sloping bit in between, cables can be run there too (all within 150mm)

Though I can't help wondering if the underside of the stairs would have to be filled in with a ceiling or not.

 

[leeandra]

Thanks to all of the replies. Ive taken a pic of what i believe the route to be for the wires.

What would be the easiest fix for this keeping the damage to the walls to a minimum.?

Thanks