'Safe' zones

[JohnW2]

Hi folks,
I think I'm probably just being silly. If you look at the two arrangements of wiring between 3 sockets on a radial circuit I've shown below, something doesn't 'feel totally right' to me in relation to the 'safe' (aka dangerous!) zones - I think probably because the right-angled bends in cable routes do not occur at an accessory.

However, in terms of what the regs say (and the way we interpret them), there seems to be no doubt that the cables are all within 'safe' zones, as defined by the sockets.

Am I just being silly/'overthinking'?

Kind Regards, John

 

[pete01]

Looks fine to me

 

[EFLImpudence]

I think you are 'underthinking'. What is the problem?

All the cables are in safe zones created by the accessory to which they are connected.

I might have understood your question had you drawn external right angles.

 

[JohnW2]

Looks fine to me

.. and to me. As I said, I just felt a little 'uneasiness', perhaps for the reason I mentioned, but it certainly seems fine to me.

 

[Scally-Ho]

@JohnW2 What do you think is wrong?

 

[JohnW2]

I think you are 'underthinking'. What is the problem? .... All the cables are in safe zones created by the accessory to which they are connected.

Indeed so. As I said, I can't see any problem, just an unexplained 'uneasiness'

I might have understood your question had you drawn external right angles.

What do you mean by 'external right angles'. If you mean something like this, that would be equally fine, wouldn't it?

 

[JohnW2]

@JohnW2 What do you think is wrong?

As I've said, I don't think anything is wrong, but there was a niggle in the back of my mind, perhaps due to the point I mentioned.

However, you have all rapidly reassured me, so I'm very grateful for that!

 

[EFLImpudence]

What do you mean by 'external right angles'. If you mean something like this, that would be equally fine, wouldn't it?

Yes, that is what I meant.

Equally fine - but your question would have been more understandable.

I think probably because the right-angled bends in cable routes do not occur at an accessory.

How could they?

 

[morqthana]

How could they?

Like this

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, that is what I meant. Equally fine - but your question would have been more understandable.

Fair enough, if, for some reason, that made my question more understandable to you.

How could they?

I was referring to a 90 degree change in the direction of a cable route - within an accessory at 'A', but not at 'B' ...

 

[EFLImpudence]

I was referring to a 90 degree change in the direction of a cable route - within an accessory at 'A', but not at 'B'

Yes, but they are all connected at A so it's not a change of direction at A.

 

[Alec_t]

'safe' (aka dangerous!) zones

I share your concern about the naming of those zones. When some DIYer decides to hang a mirror/picture/cupbord by drilling into what they've heard is a 'safe' zone ........
Why couldn't they have been named 'wiring zones' ?

 

[JohnW2]

I share your concern about the naming of those zones. When some DIYer decides to hang a mirror/picture/cupbord by drilling into what they've heard is a 'safe' zone ........

Exactly my point. However, to be fair, it is 'us', not BS 7671, who tend to call them 'safe' zones. For someone with a drill, nail, screw or whatever in their hand, they are definitely 'dangerous' zones!

In any event, it is impossible to be certain that locations which are not in those zones are 'safe' places to drill/nail/screw/whatever (particularly in older properties) - so the whole concept of having the zones, whatever one calls them, is of somewhat limited value.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, but they are all connected at A so it's not a change of direction at A.

That, of course, is my point - that when cables emerge from an accessory in directions at right angles to one another, they are usually (but not inevitably) 'connected' within the accessory (such that no individual cable 'changes direction'), whereas the cable itself does 'change direction' when the bend occurs other than at an accessory.

 

[EFLImpudence]

That, of course, is my point -

What is?

that when cables emerge from an accessory in directions at right angles to one another, they are usually (but not inevitably) 'connected' within the accessory

If a cable is not connected then the accessory does not create (cannot be used as) a safe zone for it.
Of course, two other accessories might create a safe zone which passes through (at a right angle or not) another accessory to which the cable is not connected.

(such that no individual cable 'changes direction'), whereas the cable itself does 'change direction' when the bend occurs other than at an accessory.

So what?