Does this mains cable need containing?

plot64 · Post by **plot64** » Sun Feb 27, 2022 5:35 pm

Hi, I’m running a spur off a double socket to make another double socket behind this unit. The spur cable will run down the wall from the original socket, along the floor around the room perimeter and then up the wall to its final destination.

I was planning to trunk the verticals up&down from the original socket (then run & hide behind skirting board upto the front of the unit base) and also trunk upwards to the new socket too. But do I need to wrap or contain the cable behind the unit as well? It’s not going to be seen or touched but I’m thinking from a safety / regs aspect?

FYI a washing machine will be plugged in and will sit on top of this riser / unit frame to the left hand side, once complete.

Pics here; https://imgur.com/a/vdXyJ8T

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Sun Feb 27, 2022 7:53 pm

You're not allowed to 'hide' it behind a skirting board. Run some trunking above it and the cable in it.

plot64 · Post by **plot64** » Sun Feb 27, 2022 10:51 pm

kellys_eye wrote: ↑Sun Feb 27, 2022 7:53 pm You're not allowed to 'hide' it behind a skirting board. Run some trunking above it and the cable in it.

What about the area behind the riser frame? Does that need to be trunked or is it okay loose along floor or mayb clipped to the wall at floor level?

Cheers!

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:42 pm

Clipped to the wall is fine, if it's visible you can't accidentally drill into it.

Scotty001 · Post by **Scotty001** » Mon Feb 28, 2022 7:13 pm

wine~o wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:42 pm if it's visible you can't accidentally drill into it.

You've never met my wife have you

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:22 am

If the skirting is designed for cables you can clearly run cables in it. but Centaur 80mm x 25mm 2 Compartment Skirting Trunking White (3m Length) costs £26 so not really an option for most people. But Centaur 25mm x 16mm PVC Mini Trunking White (3m Length) at £3.71 is more reasonable, I have many times questioned the rules, seems daft, the old metal cable retainers used to hold twin and earth above the skirting boards resulted in after a few coats of paint, they looked like part of the skirting, but allowed.

But I can only see one cable, depends on if from a ring or radial, but it may not be permitted to spur from that, unless a fuse is fitted.

plot64 · Post by **plot64** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 12:27 pm

Okay…. a little further forward with this utility room, just wanted to clarify here as I need the power cable to run over the water supply pipe. Is this okay? The heater power cord will also go up here to the new double sockets (and so over the water pipe also) too.

pics here: https://imgur.com/a/QFvQwhr