Wiring behind the skirting board?

Question

I have removed the skirting board and I need to run a 2.5 wire(full three colour) behind the skirting board. I will put the wire in the gap between the existing wooden floorbed and the masonry wall(there is a 1 inch gap there.) eventually I will put a laminate floor which is not going to touch the wires by any means. Is it safe?according to my other question(on my profile you can find that) regarding the wiring legitimacy, I am quite that it is not against the part p! but all comments are welcome mates!

Answer 1

I have been an electrician for almost 15 years and have seen many hazards due to "creative wiring methods" used by home owners. Running wires in an appropriate conduit, the conduits serves as a backup grounding method in case something happens to the green grounding wire. If by chance something happens to the wires and one breaks there is a chance that your home may burn down. it is not worth the risk you take. Most house fires are cause by faulty wiring. One day you may sell your home and the next owner might take an electric saw and cut threw these wires and kill themselves from electric shock. If you sell your house and an inspector finds this type of wiring...you may not be able to sell it until all the wiring is replaced. Do it right the first time and relax that your house will not burn down.

Answer 2

Hi Ebraham P,

When I fit kitchens I have to make sure that any hidden wires are above  the 'rat run' i.e. where rats and mice can't nibble the cable easily.

Oh, and the little blighters can get into impossible gaps.

Answer 3

basically i wouldn't bother my @rse ,if you were to do the job "by the book",(I.E.E. regs17th edition) it would cost you a fortune,by the way the rule about the 50mm below surface has always existed,except now the twats that make up these crazy rules have taken things tooo far,splitting up circuits on boards with several rcds etc etc.I have been in the trade for 20+years,and its now got to the stage im gonna get out .I do laugh when you stand in the likes of B&Q or screwfix,and listen to joe public ask the assistant how to wire this ,how to wire that ,what size "fuse" do i need ,what size cable etc etc etc...but me yeah i gotta pay my 300quid + a year in training cost,plus a % of  my TURNOVER as a levvy,just to sign works off,I SAY DO WHAT YOU WANT coz till its made illegal to buy,and install any electrical items without being qualified,this case of DOUBLE STANDARDS will continue.......by the way dont come runnin to me if you electrocute yourself,friends family,loved ones,innocent passers by,or the dog in the street!!!

Answer 4

as long as you don't pound any nails in the wires, why not.  Sometimes you have to get creative with wiring.

Answer 5

Never! Extremely unsafe wiring practice.

Answer 6

This is not allowed and running cables behind skirting is not in a wiring 'safe zone' as defined in the BS7671 regulations.  You should not be wiring cables unless you are a registered as a 'Competent Person' i.e a qualified electrician for Part P of the Building Regulations.  Note that under the 17th edition wiring regulations which came into force on 1st July 2008, any cable that is less than 50mm under the surface and not protected in a steel conduit for penetration by nails, screws etc needs additional protection by an RCD in the Consumer Unit.