I want to add an extra socket about 2ft to the side of an existing one on a masonry wall.No problem cutting out for the box etc but what do I do with the cable that I run from one to other? Chisel out the wall then what? does it need protection or can it just be plastered in or what?
Add a socket
- Thread starter teddyman5
- Start date
If the cable is run within a safe zone then there is no need for additional protection and can be plastered over directly. If you/your plasterer is particularly heavy handed then covering the cable with some plastic capping would be a good idea to prevent the trowel damaging the insulation.
There really shouldn't be any reason for you to run the cable outside of the safe zones but if you are then the cable will require protection. Run them in earthed metal conduit or use a cable with an earthed sheath, such as SWA. Or bury them more than 50mm from the finished wall surface.
There really shouldn't be any reason for you to run the cable outside of the safe zones but if you are then the cable will require protection. Run them in earthed metal conduit or use a cable with an earthed sheath, such as SWA. Or bury them more than 50mm from the finished wall surface.
in your case, if the new socket is level with the old one, and the cable runs horizontally straight between them, that is a "safe zone".
A safe zone is where a cable can reasonably be expected to be, so that only a numbskull would hammer a nail or drive a screw into it. You can be expected to see the socket or switch, infer that a cable must be present, and investigate or assume it to run in the wall.
A direct horizontal, or vertical, line from a visible socket or switch is a safe zone (there are some others). Diagonal or curved cable runs are not allowed.
In most cases, cables to light switches run directly upwards upwards the ceiling; socket cables usually directly upwards to the ceiling (if you have a concrete floor) or downwards (if you have a wooden floor). Where sockets are positioned close together (as in your case, or as in a kitchen above the worktop) then the cables can sensibly be run horizontally between them, as this is the shortest route.
A safe zone is where a cable can reasonably be expected to be, so that only a numbskull would hammer a nail or drive a screw into it. You can be expected to see the socket or switch, infer that a cable must be present, and investigate or assume it to run in the wall.
A direct horizontal, or vertical, line from a visible socket or switch is a safe zone (there are some others). Diagonal or curved cable runs are not allowed.
In most cases, cables to light switches run directly upwards upwards the ceiling; socket cables usually directly upwards to the ceiling (if you have a concrete floor) or downwards (if you have a wooden floor). Where sockets are positioned close together (as in your case, or as in a kitchen above the worktop) then the cables can sensibly be run horizontally between them, as this is the shortest route.
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