Dodgy Electrician Pt2

Wasn't the extractor plugged into a socket (= wiring accessory) behind the dummy chimney? The cable runs horizontally from that and vertically from the double socket...

Well if he's working on the last bank hol weekend must be desperate for work!

Taken of the ring main then.

True, forgot about that bit!

Plasterers never plaster round _Anything_ A little bump on the wall like a cooker hood shouldn't cause much of a problem.

Ok, goodo.

Sorry, my mistake. The whole section above the hob and under the hood is being tiled :)

Or mid way along an existing spur!

Yup that is true, so the sparks could argue it is legit... not sure if the socket counts as a "visible" accessory though...

In other words (getting back to the point of the rule) if you were going to drill into the wall you might avoid directly above the double socket, but would you also avoid horizontally aligned with the other socket if it is hidden behind the extractor duct?

Oh sure. I didn't say that this was a good idea, but I don't think that it explicitly breaks the regulation.

".. be installed within 150mm of the top of the wall or partition or within 150mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls or partitions. Where the cable is connected to a point, accessory or switchgear on the wall or partition, the cable may be installed outside these zones only in a straight run either horizontally or vertically, to the point, accessory or switchgear."

The On-Site Guide shows an illustration of this and has a cable at an angle (not allowed in this context) to show the point. However, it doesn't have this example.

I suppose that it's better to do it as has been done in this case than to go at an angle. A completely correct way from this perspective would have been to run the cable up from each socket to the 150mm band near the ceiling and back down again.

Personally, I always trace the cables anyway.

Was just going to say that!

Just leave it on the 'auto' setting then.

Regards the cable, the kitchen company should fill in the chase but that's the least of your worries when it comes to contracted fitters.

My interpretation is that the strait lines must run from /visible/ accessory to /visible/ accessory. So it would only be acceptable if the angle was marked by an inspection plate or isolating switch,

Taking a conservative view, I'd agree with you - certainly I would not do an installation in the way it was here. However, the standard is unclear.....

No it isn't, it depends where the cable run goes.