Date   : Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:59:17 +0100
From   : pete@... (Pete Turnbull)
Subject: Leccy @ Acorn World '09

On 13/09/2009 15:50, Mick Champion wrote:
> AlembicPrs@... wrote:
>> Hmmm...  just what are all the electricity regs trying to do? Why have 
>> socket outlets half way up a wall, where the flex can then trail 
>> around the place and trip people up.
> I think there are a number of advantages of having elevated sockets. You 
> are less likely to bash or kick them for one. Usually the wires feed the 
> socket from behind the skirting board. A dug out in the plaster behind. 
> Conduit is used where the cable is above the skirting.

Doesn't need to be conduit, just a proper protective cover (the name of 
which escapes me for the moment).

The reasons for not putting them on the skirting are two-fold.  The 
first is that with modern small skirting, which may be 100mm high or 
less, is that any plug that low would be so close to the floor as to put 
undue strain on the cable, making it more susceptible to damage.  The 
second reason is accessibility -- think person in wheelchair reaching 
down to get at the socket.  That's also the reason you're not supposed 
to put sockets too close to a corner, where someone in a wheelchair 
might not be able to reach in.  And both of which are a bl**dy pain as 
far as I'm concerned, as it means the furniture (think big heavy 
bookcase) always seems to be covering the socket, rendering it unusable.

-- 
Pete                                           Peter Turnbull
                                               Network Manager
                                               University of York