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Ring Main Joint Box

PG
A kitchen worktop twin S,O, is to be relocated horizontally by about 60cm. 

The ring final cct (RFC) is cabled in buried T&E and the galv' steel back-box is flushed into the plaster/brick wall.

The RFC T&E extension cabling will be buried under plaster, covered in plastic capping along the horizontal  prescribed zone. Visually, it would be reasonable for an electrician to be aware that the route may contain cable(s).

The circuit is RCD protected.

The intent is touse insulated crimp and double insulating tape the jointed cables within the existing box to achieve a maintenance free connection, A 2mm thick (fabricated) plate was to be used to cover the back box and provide additional mechanical protection. The box would then be plastered over.


The questions are:-

1. How many would consider the steel plate back box cover a desirable feature or would a simple plastic cover suffice?

2. Should the original back box be left  unearthed?


Thanks in advance.
  • 0
    What’s wrong with lifting the floor up in the room above the kitchen and moving the cables so they drop straight into the new socket?


     Andy Betteridge
  • 0

    PG:




    Typiod:

    if you are moving the socket horizontally from its original position what is there to signify the original drop to the original socket?




    You are correct, all the existing sockets are actually dropping from the ceiling (all concealed by plaster). The circuit extension under discussion would be horizontal - but still within the prescribed zones depicted in the OSG. My point was that it shouldn't be a surprise for someone who was aware of prescribed zones.


     




     

    There will not be any indication where the existing drop to the box that is going to be concealed is.


    Andy Betteridge
  • 0
    As Andy has said the drop to the original socket will not be in a zone, so would not comply with the regs.
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    What’s wrong with lifting the floor up in the room above the kitchen and moving the cables so they drop straight into the new socket?


     Andy Betteridge 




    Nothing wrong with your alternative. The horizontal link is easier, I can do it before the kitchen fitter removes all the existing units on the wall.

    Do you think that there is something incorrect with the proposed method Andy?

  • 0

    Typiod:

    As Andy has said the drop to the original socket will not be in a zone, so would not comply with the regs.




    As Typoid has said the drop to the original socket will not be in a zone, so would not comply with the regs.


    Andy Betteridge 

  • 0
    In a reception room (public room for the Scots) the sockets would usually be supplied from below, but with solid floors could be from above.


    Kitchens are rather different - the sockets are, more or less, half way up or down. I see absolutely no reason why there should not be a drop, or rise, to one socket and then the cable horizontally to the others.


    So with good reason, the OSG makes the zones up-down, left-right. I agree that if an old socket is buried, the zones might be obscured. Horizontal may be maintained, but vertical will not be.


    ETA: I think that we are all in agreement - I was typing as others were posting.
  • 0

     




     




     

    There will not be any indication where the existing drop to the box that is going to be concealed is.


    Andy Betteridge  

     




    There's the usual line of sockets above the work top. They could be fed from a vertical or horizontal position (as 7.3.2 of OSG) unless I've misunderstood. I don't see a reg' that says you can't swap from vertical to horizontal?

  • 0
    Yes but if you remove a socket and leave the cables there after it has all been replastered how is anyone going  to know were the original drop is? If you remove the original socket then the existing drop will no longer be in a zone.
  • 0
    Thanks - I think that I may switch to the silicon seal of a blank plate proposal.


    Earthing of the box?


    Regards

  • 0
    Please see Chris Pearson's advice above

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