Sockets in our living room.

[bobbler]

Besides my lighting problems I am also replacing ALL the sockets in the room.

The walls currently have no plaster so I am going to fit 25mm deep boxes 450mm up the wall. The wall is to be "dot and dabbed".

The question is, do I have to run the cable from one socket to the next, under the floor. Can't I just tack it to the wall in places where the sockets are not far from each other?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Providing you run the cable horizontally or vertically from each box.

Why 450mm up the wal btw?

 

[JohnD]

running horizontally is good, as it is economical in labour and materials. If you run in oval conduit, then it is easy to cut into the run and add more outlets in the row later (this is also a good way to do kitchens, with the run above the worktop).

You will probably have sockets every 2 metres or so, making the route of the cable fairly obvious.

450mm up is great

 

[bernardgreen]

The walls currently have no plaster so I am going to fit 25mm deep boxes 450mm up the wall.

Make life easier for the wiring to the sockets and use 35mm deep boxes,

 

[bobbler]

Thanks to you all.

Why 450mm above the floor - because I thought that you had to?

If I use 35mm Boxes they will be thicker than the dot and dab will they not?

Do I need conduit when the wire will run at the back of the plasterboard?

Thanks for your helpful comments.

Bobbler

 

[JohnD]

you havent got to use conduit, but one day, when you need to get at the cable, e.g if damaged or to add more sockets, you will be glad you did.

450mm is the latest minimum standard height in new build. in an old house you aren't oblged to folow it, but people are getting used to that height and will think lower looks odd.

Also, when you get old, fat, pregnant or have a bad back, you will find them easier to reach.

 

[bobbler]

I think that it is a good height for sockets.

We had a extension built a couple of years ago and the builder put the sockets at between 400 and 450 and it works well.

It does make sense not to have to take the wire under the floor though.