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Rogue
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 25
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 Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:04 am Post subject: Extension cable through internal block wall |
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Would appreciate any comments from the sparks on this one.
Intend to move TV into different corner of a room due to new furniture arrangement. Can sort out a new TV antenna point ok as coaxial can be routed behind skirting board etc to that point but of course as always there is no electrical socket in that corner of the room. Nearest socket actually in the room has a patio door between it and the new TV location. Walls are all block built and not overly keen on idea of chasing them or putting conduit all over the walls.
The room immediately behind the wall where tv is to go is the kitchen which has spare unused electrical sockets nearest of which is less than 3 feet away (taking a line directly through the intervening wall).
What I want to know is rather than attempting to wire in a new socket with all the chasing that will be involved - is it safe for me to drill a hole directly through the intervening wall, feed an ordinary extension cable through the blockwork and plug it in in this spare kitchen socket to give me power to the tv in the adjoining room.
Kitchen side this cabling will largely be concealed by a kitchen press which is just above that kitchen socket. TV side I would attach the socket end of the extension lead to the wall behind the TV. This extension would be left there permanently to feed nothing more than a small portable TV and have no other use.
Effectively this is just an extension lead but it will be running directly through an internal block wall. Is there any electrical safety reason why this should not be done ? Would appreciate any comments. Incidentally I am clear that there is no cabling, plumbing etc in the wall at the spot I intend to drill. |
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Hinton Heating
Gas/Heating Expert
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 4296
Location: Bournemouth
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:40 am Post subject: |
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I have seen this on a few occasions in people's houses, and cant see any problem with it at all.
Providing the flex plugs in, then you dont need to install as a permanent cable would be.
just a tip, drill the wall with 15mm, and use a bit of pipe to feed the cable through, as bridging the cavity is sometimes difficult, with a bendy flex! :grin:
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:09 am Post subject: |
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Like Hinton says, use a piece of plastic pipe through the wall and pass the cable through this.
Do not fasten the extension lead to the building or else it could fall under part p rules.
From what I make of part p rules if you use an extension lead and leave it there permanently there is no problem, but if you fix it to the building then it can fall under part p rules.
If I remember rightly this was not in the original part p document, but has been amended because people were using extension leads to escape paying the part p tax.
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Rogue
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot guys for the quick replies. What a great forum! 
Planning to do this today so a lot happier now about proceeding with it. Have been up to my eyes in this room - new floor, skirting, architrave, endless sanding of horrible dark stain from doorframes. Also removed 1970's style wallpaper and border which was stuck to wall by nuclear fusion. All just about complete when OH says wouldnt it be great if we could move the telly so I can get my two seater just where I want it then!
Thing is we dont have a two seater!! So I guess theres a hint in there somewhere if I could find it!
Thanks for the tips on using plastic pipe through the cavity and not fixing extension lead to wall. Much appreciated. |
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big-all
Pro Carpenter
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 2775
Location: redhill surrey an auld reekie laddie
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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just a point of caution when drilling the wall
make shure you drill off the verticle and horizontal lines from the sockets by about 3 or 4" to avoid the possible path of the wires
in other words draw a line 4 inches wide horizontaly and verticaly from the centre of the socket and avoid that area as thats the normal route of the cable
also check the floor levels
if you have a step between the rooms you need to make allowances for the different levels 
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Rich-Ando
Approved Electrician
Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 2618
Location: Derby, Derbyshire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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as already stated, it isn't the recommended way but it is just acting like an extension lead so it is acceptable by the rules.
do as suggested with the pipe, best to do it properly.
the only thing i would comment on is that you should always have "isolation" close by and in this case it won't be, it will be in another room.
with that in mind i would suggest you buy one of the extension sockets with a main switch on it. you can get them as 4-gang ( 2 doubles)
also, as UHM suggested, do not fix the socket to the wall otherwise it becomes a new installation and is notifiable under Part P. |
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