4 way extension in trunking

[ICTRich]

Some advice please.
I work in a school where every classroom has a 4 way extension running from a socket. These were just running on the floor and were a health and safety hazard to all the little kiddies and staff.
So being helpful, I bought some self adhesive surface trunking and mounted the 4 way on the wall and run a length of trunking from the plug to the 4 way part. So all cable was off floor and tidy causing no hazards.
We had an electrician in today who said that you should never run an extension in trunking as it breaks a ‘million’ laws... He then went on to quote for two new double sockets.
Is this true? The trunking is only being used rather than hammering cable clips in?
Cheers

 

[securespark]

Ask him to quote the laws you've broken.

AFAICT without seeing it, the only reg is that enclosing the flex in trunking may derate it. Don't have BGB with me though.

 

[ricicle]

Ask the tw@t of an 'electrician' if he thinks you've made the set-up safer or more dangerous under your duty of care ?

 

[ICTRich]

I just feel he is after the work of fitting new sockets!

 

[flyingsparks]

I just feel he is after the work of fitting new sockets!

He is. Tell him there's nothing wrong with what you have done and to get on his horse.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I am sure you are very good at lots of things.

But the electrician may feel (probably rightly) that you are encroaching on his territory where he has invested the time and money to be trained and to get the contract from the CC/school/whatever to do electrical works.

He also will carry the necessary insurances to cover him in the case of something going wrong with his work. I wonder if you do?

 

[ICTRich]

Yeach but putting a loose wire in a bit of trunking?....

 

[Taylortwocities]

You'd be Ok with him teaching your kids a bit of ICT without asking you then?

 

[ICTRich]

Its not the same. He is not employed by the school or th LA. An independant chap that is sometimes used when needed. All I have done is make the classroom safer. which will always be my priority. I dont think I need any qualifications to stick a bit of trunking to the wall and put a cable in it?

Do I need to get an electrician in every time install a new pc and tidy the wires then?

 

[Spark123]

Although not as neat as new sockets it doesn't sound like it is wrong, can you provide a photo?
What is the 4 way lead supplying?

 

[ICTRich]

Havnt got photo at the mo. It has a laptop lead, small socket sized digital amp and a visualiser(document camera) and one free.

Whats funny is the guy has never asked what its used for.

 

[securespark]

Think you're being a bit harsh.

For all we know, he has got PLI for the work he does.

Like he says, it's only fixing trunking to the wall. There's no electrical work involved.

He does not need an electrician to do this work, and the school can decide whether to install sockets or not.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes I know.

I just wanted him to see it from the other guy's point of view as well.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do I need to get an electrician in every time install a new pc and tidy the wires then?

That's not the same.

Fixing the socket strip and trunking to the wall and running the cable through the trunking is electrical installation work. By fixing it you have turned it into part of the fixed installation.

It's easy, as in this case, to say "it's a simple enough job", but as soon as you do you're then immediately faced with the question of where, and how, do you draw the line?

But the electrician's reaction was OTT.

 

[ICTRich]

I understand where you are coming from, however, my initial question was is this against any regulations, as stated by the electrician. He then immediately wanted to quote for two new double sockets.

My initial thoughts were that he is just trying to pull a fast one and earn a quick buck for a job that might not be needed.

I fit data cables, switches, Interactive Whiteboards, ceiling mounted projectors etc all for the school (all of which I use trunking with!) so am competent to peel off the sticky tape and stick to the wall.

He has been in these classrooms before and never mentioned a thing when the 4 way was just strewn across the floor with cables everywhere.

I also have the responsibility to save the school money where possible, and as long as a simple task like this is not against any regulations, I will. I have never, and never would take on any electrical works within the school. That is what we pay him for.

I also don't won't to continue to use someone who I can't trust to give me sound expert advice and making stuff up so he gets more jobs.

If you tell me that it is not allowed to run an extension lead through a piece of trunking to tidy it up and mount a 4 way on the wall (after all they come with wall mounting holes) then I would happily do something about it.