Running Cooker Cable in Plastic Conduit Undernearth worktop

lmanning · 12 Oct 2006

I am installing a cooker supply into an existing kitchen, and the run takes me into the kitchen under the worktop and behind some kitchen units.

2 questions

1.
Is it OK to put the cable into plastic trunking whilst it is under the worktop and then bury the cable into the wall after it comes above the worktop surface and goes to the cooker switch and also the cooker junction box? Trying to bury the whole length of cable behind the units is going to be a major pain.

And I cannot do a from the ceiling install

2.
Is there an optimum or specified height for the cooker junction box location.

Many thanks

Taylortwocities · 12 Oct 2006

Cables must run in prescribed zones. Horizontal or vertical from switch or accessory unless they are more than 50mm from the surface or in properly earthed steel conduit.

Work such as this, in a kitchen, is notifiable so suggest you get a competent spark to do it other wise you could end up causing something like this: http://www.niceic.org.uk/partp/newsitem_oct1204.htm

TTC

lmanning · 13 Oct 2006

Thanks for the info Taylor about the zones. I will try and contact a competent sparky to do the job or check what I am planning

I did read the article, and quite frankly it's bull***t. Unless the lady in the article did her cooking with a masonry drill then the cables being buried 10mm or 50mm is neither here nor there. Using UNINSULATED wires and incorrect earthing was probably more to the point, which is basic good electrical safety and nothing to do with part P.

Are you saying that if they had installed it to the correct regulations prior to part P then she still would have had a fatal incident. I think not.

No matter how you legislate if people bodge the basics then it all falls apart. Which is why I took the trouble to ask the question and try and avoid one.

lmanning · 13 Oct 2006

I have made a diagram of what I was talking about.

If I keep the wiring in the horizontal and vertical zones as described, then I do not have to bury them to 50mm?

In theory then if they are in these zones the wiring could be surface mounted in trunking behind the worktops.

Thanks for any help

Bobbya82 · 13 Oct 2006

I am doing a similar job and would be interested to know?

I cant see any problem as long as the cable is not lashing around everywhere.

Buts whats the professional view?

Thanks

nozspark · 13 Oct 2006

Prescribed zones are only for burried cables.

Unless you need to use trunking for either asthetic reasons or to give some impact protection for the cable, then you could even run the cable clipped direct to the wall!!

lmanning · 13 Oct 2006

Thanks Noz

reggie perrin · 13 Oct 2006

lmanning, what's the JB for?

plugwash · 14 Oct 2006

from the diagram i'm guessing by junction box he means a cooker outlet box

Lectrician · 14 Oct 2006

The plan is absolutely fine.

You could loose the trunk if you want and clip direct.

The part you are chasing in is within the zones, so thats fine.

lmanning · 14 Oct 2006

Reggie the Junction box is for the electrical connection to the free standing cooker

Oh sorry plug you already covered it

securespark · 14 Oct 2006

lmanning said:
I did read the article, and quite frankly it's bull***t.

Why so?

plugwash · 14 Oct 2006

i belive the original story (don't remember where i read it) said the cable was running all over the place and it was peirced with a screw.

that article on the NICEIC site is very short on details and i don't remember the original article saying it was uninsulated.

dingbat · 14 Oct 2006

Here you go:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3735928.stm

kevnurse · 14 Oct 2006

Sad story, but 5 degrees off the vertical is hardly cowboy stuff. The coroner's conclusion was "consequence of home improvement work", which also includes the installation of the metal utensil rack.

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Running Cooker Cable in Plastic Conduit Undernearth worktop

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