Relocating electric sockets Building regs

camerart · 25 Feb 2024

Hi,
I'm about to insulate some walls with sockets on, so they need to be taken out of the wall channels and rechannelled into the insulation.
Is this ok. Is there anything different about channeling into insulation?
It will then be boarded over as usial.
Camerart

chivers67 · 25 Feb 2024

The Insulation will have a derating factor due to thermal effects.

> Clicky

Taylortwocities · 25 Feb 2024

And if you channel into the insulation you will degrade the thermal performance.
Better to just have the cables flat on the surface of the insulation (no channel needed) and then put plasterboard directly on to the cables. The plasterboard will then be a heat sink for the cable and derating not an issue.

foxhole · 25 Feb 2024

Taylortwocities said:
And if you channel into the insulation you will degrade the thermal performance.
Better to just have the cables flat on the surface of the insulation (no channel needed) and then put plasterboard directly on to the cables. The plasterboard will then be a heat sink for the cable and derating not an issue.

Can’t see any mention of cables ? Thought he is just cutting out for sockets?Maybe OP could clarify?

JohnD · 25 Feb 2024

But I think it will only be insulated on one side, as it is chased into an external brick wall. It will not be buried or surrounded in insulation.

"The cable rating tables of [Appendix 4] allow for the reduced heat loss for a cable which is enclosed in an insulating wall and is assumed to be in contact with the insulation on one side."

This bit does not apply
"Where this is not possible and a cable is buried in thermal insulation for 0.5 m (500 mm) or more...,

a rating factor (the symbol for the thermal insulation factor is Ci) of 0.5 is applied, which means that the current rating is halved."

camerart · 25 Feb 2024

Hi,
I'm talking about light switch and power socket cables coming from the ceiling to the socket height.

It's easier to bring them down on the insulation surface, then plaster board over them. Would this channel help?

TTE Galvanised Steel Channelling - 25 x 2000mm | Wickes.co.uk

TTE Galvanised Steel Channelling - 25 x 2000mm

www.wickes.co.uk

Alternatively, as the insulation must go on battens, there's a gap between it and the wall, I could either channel them, or clip them on the wall, then extend 75mm ish through the insulation into the socket/switches.
C

JohnD · 25 Feb 2024

camerart said:
as the insulation must go on battens,

Says who?

camerart · 25 Feb 2024

JohnD said:
Says who?

Hi J,
The building control officer.
C

JohnD · 25 Feb 2024

!

Have a look at the maker's installation instructions.

camerart · 25 Feb 2024

Hi,
I've done a search for insulation and derating. blimey!
I now find that if loft insulation is over the wiring, then it has derated it!
C

Taylortwocities · 25 Feb 2024

camerart said:
Hi,
I've done a search for insulation and derating. blimey!
I now find that if loft insulation is over the wiring, then it has derated it!
C

You’ll be ok if the loft wiring is just lighting. It’s only a concern if it is high current circuit like electric shower.

camerart · 26 Feb 2024

Taylortwocities said:
You’ll be ok if the loft wiring is just lighting. It’s only a concern if it is high current circuit like electric shower.

Hi T,
The loft was done by a qualified electrician, so I'm only concerned about the rerouting with insulation question.
C

Taylortwocities · 26 Feb 2024

camerart said:
Hi T,
The loft was done by a qualified electrician, so I'm only concerned about the rerouting with insulation question.
C

But he/she didn’t fit insulation over it. I’ll ask again, what are the circuits up there? You probably don’t have anything to worry about.

camerart · 26 Feb 2024

Taylortwocities said:
But he/she didn’t fit insulation over it. I’ll ask again, what are the circuits up there? You probably don’t have anything to worry about.

Hi T,
He did it after the insulation. I'm not sure what is up there apart from lights and shower.
C

Taylortwocities · 26 Feb 2024

The shower circuit needs to be clear of insulation. Lighting circuits arent an issue, these days.

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Relocating electric sockets Building regs

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