Horizontal Cabling in a Ring Circuit

[vmtaylor]

Hi
I have recently purchased a house with a concrete floor, so all downstairs cabling drops down from the ceiling void. Each room currently only has a single socket, so I obviously want to add to the circuit, which I am very happy to do.

I understand fully that all cables need to run vertically or horizontally. I also understand that cables should be 150mm from walls.

Rather than running cables for each socket vertically from the ceiling void it will be a lot less channelling out to run the cables horizontally around the room, then plaster over the horizontal cabling. Is it acceptable to run a cable around a corner horizontally (with an acceptably deep channel) or is it better to accept that I need to take each cable back into the ceiling and down again for the next socket?

Thanks

 

[GaryMo]

Yes, you can run a concealed cable horizontally around a corner - no need to go excessively deep though as it'll still be in an acceptable wiring zone as long as there's a socket or inspection box at either end and the chase is level.

It's personal preference but I prefer the up and down method but there are advantages to shorter cable runs and no disruption to rooms above.

 

[vmtaylor]

That is great. I would prefer to run vertical cables but it is going to make it a much bigger job.

Thanks for your prompt reply. That should make the job easier.

 

[GaryMo]

That is great. I would prefer to run vertical cables but it is going to make it a much bigger job.

Thanks for your prompt reply. That should make the job easier.

Is said circuit protected by a 30mA RCD?

 

[vmtaylor]

Not sure...
It has quite an old consumer unit at present (reqiuring wire fuse replacements).

I am getting an electrician in to replace the consumer unit (I know my limits!) but am hoping to add the extra sockets to the circuit beforehand.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

• http://www.voltimum.co.uk/files/gb/attachments/niu/l/attachments/c5-43.pdf
• http://web.archive.org/web/20061110111450/http://www.niceic.org.uk/downloads/concealedcables.pdf
• IEE article
• IEE Article on 17th Edition requirements for concealed cables.
  

 

[Taylortwocities]

I specifiaclly asked NAPIT (my registration body) helpline re this.

They stated that horizontal is fine but that it does not allow you to go round a corner. That's why the diagrams only show it going into the corner and no further.

I'd be happy is someone can give me a definitive reference that says different.

 

[GaryMo]

I can't see a problem with a cable entering and exiting a 150mm corner wiring zone as long as it routes directly horizontally to and from an accessory.

 

[RF Lighting]

If there is an accesory either side of the corner, and the cable runs between the two, I can't see a problem.