Protecting cables in stud walls

[biblio]

My attic has internal walls of 3" deep x 2" wide timbers supporting lath and plaster. I have had to route some 2.5mm sq cable, though keeping it always horizontal or vertical, outside or offset of a direct alignment with one socket. Wherever the cable passes through a stud (it is less than 2" from the surface)I could screw a thin metal plate, say 2" x 4" to the stud on the outside. But can the rest of the free and unattached cable be left unprotected in the void? Thanks.

 

[Lectrician]

If in a zone, yes.

 

[biblio]

Many thanks, Lectrician.
Please how can I determine 'zones' in my attic area? I have a copy of 'The Electrician's Guide' by John Whitfield in which book zone dimensions are only described in bathrooms areas etc (p135). And please, why would the cable need to be protected if outside of a zone, as you imply?

 

[AdamW]

Vertical and Horizontal cable runs are obvious, so people should take care when drilling directly to the side or above/below a plug socket. But if you are running a cable at say, 45 degrees, then people don't expect the cable there. That is when it needs protecting.

This is just what I have gleaned from previous posts, so don't quote me on it.

 

[fubar]

Many thanks, Lectrician.
Please how can I determine 'zones' in my attic area? I have a copy of 'The Electrician's Guide' by John Whitfield in which book zone dimensions are only described in bathrooms areas etc (p135). And please, why would the cable need to be protected if outside of a zone, as you imply?

See the text around Figure 4.14:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.4.1.htm

Also:

http://www.iee.org/Publish/WireRegs/IEE_Thin_walls.pdf

 

[biblio]

My thanks to Lectrician, AdamW and fubar.
(I now know there are 'acceptable zones' as well as 'Zones').
But, if a cable runs directly horizontally or vertically from a socket (therefore in an acceptable zone) can this cable be unprotected even if it is less than 5cm from the surface, and either buried in plaster or supported (but free) in the void of a stud wall?

 

[fubar]

But, if a cable runs directly horizontally or vertically from a socket (therefore in an acceptable zone) can this cable be unprotected even if it is less than 5cm from the surface, and either buried in plaster or supported (but free) in the void of a stud wall?

Yes. Take another look at the text in the box on the first page of the second link I gave.