Alarm cable through socket backbox

[jabuzzard]

I was replacing a damaged double socket at my sisters at the weekend, and noticed an unknown cabled running through the backbox.

After some investigation it turned out to be three core and earth linking the smoke alarms for power and signaling. I suspect it is being used as an easy way to get floor to ceiling on a permitted route/safe zone.

I can't find anything that says this is not allowed and I can't see that it is any particular safety hazard, but I have not seen this done before, so was wondering whether it was permitted or not.

I was also wondering whether anyone knows where one would get white Tenby socket outlets from, as I had to swap the socket with one behind a bedside table.

 

[Spark123]

I don't think there is anything much wrong doing that tbh, just makes it more fun should you need to replace the back box should the screws get damaged.
Not sure on where you can buy tenby - try your local edmundsons or even ebay?

 

[RF Lighting]

Yep, I'd go to edmundsons for tenby.

It's a favorite with some councils so should be fairly easy to get hold of.

 

[ColJack]

there's a rule about thru wiring of luminairs, but I'm not sure there's one about sockets..

 

[jabuzzard]

there's a rule about thru wiring of luminairs, but I'm not sure there's one about sockets..

What's the rule then?

 

[ColJack]

section 559.6.2

559.6.2.1 The installation of through wiring in a luminair is only permitted if the luminair is designed for such wiring.

and 559.6.2.2 which talks about what such through wiring should be done in ( heat resistant wiring etc )

and 559.6.2.3 which says that lights distributed across 3 phase and with a common neutral need at least one device capable of disconnecting all 3 phases..