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Surface mounted cable - guidance

Mateusz Dzieciol

Do the following regulations also apply to the installation of cables on the wall surface, and are the principles the same? I'm mainly interested in using RCDs on unprotected bare cables.

I can't find guidance about surface mounting.

522.6.202 A cable installed in a wall or partition at a depth of less than 50 mm from a surface of the wall or partition shall:
(i) be installed in a zone within 150 mm from the top of the wall or partition or within 150 mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls or partitions. Where the cable is connected to a point, accessory or switchgear on any surface of the wall or partition, the cable may be installed in a zone either horizontally or vertically, to the point, accessory or switchgear. Where the location of the accessory, point or switchgear can be determined from the reverse side, a zone formed on one side of a wall of 100 mm thickness or less or partition of 100 mm thickness or less extends to the reverse side, or
(ii) comply with Regulation 522.6.204.
Where indent (i) but not indent (ii) applies, the cable shall be provided with additional protection by means of an RCD having the characteristics specified in Regulation 415.1.1.
140

522.6.203 Irrespective of its buried depth, a cable concealed in a wall or partition, the internal construction of which includes metallic parts, other than metallic fixings such as nails, screws and the like, shall:
(i) be provided with additional protection by means of an RCD having the characteristics specified in Regulation 415.1.1, or
(ii) comply with Regulation 522.6.204.
For a cable installed at a depth of less than 50 mm from the surface of a wall or partition the requirements of Regulation 522.6.202(i) shall also apply.

522.6.204 For the purposes of Regulation 522.6.201(ii), Regulation 522.6.202(ii) and Regulation 522.6.203(ii), a cable shall:
(i) incorporate an earthed metallic covering which complies with the requirements of these Regulations for a protective conductor of the circuit concerned, the cable complying with BS 5467, BS 6724, BS 7846, BS 8436 or BS EN 60702-1, or
(ii) be installed in earthed conduit complying with BS EN 61386-21 and satisfying the requirements of these Regulations for a protective conductor, or
(iii) be enclosed in earthed trunking or ducting complying with BS EN 50085-2-1 and satisfying the requirements of these Regulations for a protective conductor, or
(iv) be provided with mechanical protection against damage sufficient to prevent penetration of the cable by nails, screws and the like, or
(v) form part of a SELV or PELV circuit meeting the requirements of Regulation 414.4.

Thanks, Mat

  • +1

    The Regulations you have listed are specifically for cables concealed or buried in building fabric, particularly walls or partitions. They do not apply

    Mateusz Dzieciol said:
    unprotected bare cables

    What do you mean by that? If the cable has a sheath, that is mechanical protection, but it depends whether the cable is being used in the relevant environment it is intended to be used in (see BS EN 50565 series).

    Mateusz Dzieciol said:
    I'm mainly interested in using RCDs

    RCDs may be required for other reasons than as stated in Section 522.6, for example (but not limited to):

    • Regulations 411.3.3 and 411.3.4
    • For ADS in TN-C-S, TN-S and TT systems (Regulations 411.4.5, 411.4.204, 411.5.2, 411.5.3)
    • Additional protection against fire (Regulations 422.3.9, 532.2)
    • As specified by particular provisions in Part 7.
  • +1

    A cable nailed to the surface is visible, not concealed, and so is a cable in mini-trunking or cable tray or whatever and the assumption is that no one in their right mind is then going to drill though it and look surprised, and as such it can be going up/ down sideways or diagonally or even spelling out the name of your favourite pop star and only requires to be mechanically tough enough for the environment.

    Until you conceal it. Then all the other rules kick in.

    Mike.

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