Hmmm is this within Regs?

[Rex1999]

I am replacing my kitchen. I had an electrician in to move two 13A sockets that he incorrectly located in the first place. When he arrived all he talked about was the Regs and how could he move the sockets within Regs. He was very concerned with the Regs it seemed.

Anyway, he moved them but recommended leaving the holes in the plasterboard uncovered exposing the breeze-block. As it was behind the oven in the kitchen he said he didn't want moisture getting in and there, as the moisture can rot the cables? I indicated to him that what he said sounded ridiculous to me. So off I popped to Screwfix to buy two blanking plates and back boxes. I returned gave them to him. Anyway, when he left I looked at the blanking plates I noticed the covers were held in place by woodscrews. That's strange I thought so I took a photo shut off the power then very carefully removed the plate.

Here's what I found. What do you think?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Have you paid him yet?

 

[foxhole]

Why did he remove the back box, seems dumb. As for rotting cables, you could leave power cable in a bucket of water for 100 years without any effect.

 

[AndyPRK]

I guess the cable wouldn't have reached with a back box.

I've seen worse

 

[Taylortwocities]

I've seen worse

At least he/she has used wall plugs. Many would have just screwed straight into the block.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Why didn't you just leave the socket there?

 

[JohnW2]

Why did he remove the back box, seems dumb.

... have you considered the possibility that there might not have been a back box there in the first place ?!

Kind Regards, John

 

[foxhole]

... have you considered the possibility that there might not have been a back box there in the first place ?!

Kind Regards, John

No, extremely unlikely given post said electrician moved it .

 

[JohnW2]

No, extremely unlikely given post said electrician moved it .

I don't really get that comment.

My understanding is that the photo is of where the electrician moved the socket from (having initially put it there incorrectly). I don't see why that precludes the possibility that even when he initially put in there, he didn't use a back box. Am I missing something?

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

can't see any old wall plugs use for a metal back box

 

[rsgaz]

can't see any old wall plugs use for a metal back box

There's a brown plug in the middle, between the blue and G/Y wires in the pic.

 

[JohnW2]

can't see any old wall plugs use for a metal back box

Why are you assume a metal back box, given that it's a plasterboard wall?

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

you still use metal boxes to breeze block.

dry lined boxes would be too deep

 

[foxhole]

I don't really get that comment.

My understanding is that the photo is of where the electrician moved the socket from (having initially put it there incorrectly). I don't see why that precludes the possibility that even when he initially put in there, he didn't use a back box. Am I missing something?

Kind Regards, John

Electricians use backboxes .[/QUOTE]

 

[JohnW2]

Electricians use backboxes .

The great majority do. However, the great majority would also leave the back box in place if they were going to put a blank plate on it - so it's not clear what one should conclude!

Of course, in the case of 'electricians', anything is possible!

Kind Regards, John