Floor Sockets Instalation

[tomatina]

I need to install floor sockets for offices like in the picture below.



For the wiring under the floor (space underfloor is 40cm) i cant decide what kind of protection to use.What do you think is the best solution?

It must not be costly but in safety and in regulations.I have the option of a closed metallic tray like the picture



but is expensive.Can i use something else? For example an armored cable instead or an open cable tray or even a plastic one ?

What is your thoughts on this ?

 

[Doc Hudson]

Hello Tomatina, welcome to the forum. I think you need to consider how many sockets you need to install and what is the probability of future moves and changes. As you say armored would be mechanically sound, but if you have 30+ sockets to put in multiple PVC cables through a common protective channel may be more cost and time effective? Have you got a few more details, size of office, number of outlets, new circuit or extending existing circuit? That may helps others to throw a few ideas out for you. (give it while for some of our other members to log on later.)

Doc H.

 

[tomatina]

Thank you for the welcome,

The number of sockets will be around 16 double sockets(8 underfloor boxes) divided by 2 new ring circuits in an area less than 75 sqm .

 

[ProDave]

A complex of offices near here that I have worked on, run the under floor cables in galvanised trunking (conduit singles) in three runs down the length of the building.

At regular intervals there are "non standard" double 13A sockets (the ones by MK with an odd L shaped earth pin)

Each of the floor sockets has a flex to a 13A non standard plug.

That makes moving sockets about as simple as lifting and re positioning the floor tile that the socket is set into.

 

[Sidewinder]

Why ring circuits?

 

[Riggy]

Why not?

 

[Sidewinder]

Same question!

Just provoking debate.

The ring may be dead soon, I'll see what reaction I get tomorrow...

Also long rings can be very unbalanced unless you are trick in wiring them.

Office environment all sockets on 2 circuits, minimise inconvenience anyone?...

Business disruption etc...

 

[kerching]

Marshall Tuflex 507 series underfloor socket/busbar trunking is my weapon of choice. Rated at 63A, take supply to one end, extension pieces clip together. Leads come terminated with special plug. You can choose tour own socket pitch, clean earth, dual circuit, 3 phase..might just be a tad too expensive though

Marshall Tufflex> Home > Cable Management > Underfloor to Desk

simples...................... :coat

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 18:49 ---------- Previous post was made at 18:45 ----------

I think we are the only country to use ring mains...personally I do not like them, radials everytime for me. If some to$$er/prat/wazzock Architect wants rings then I ask why, I usually get my own way............... :coat

 

[benji]

are you doing the data & telephone cabling

 

[M107]

Office environment all sockets on 2 circuits, minimise inconvenience anyone?..

I'm with Snakester & its not just for inconvenience & is something to remember when thinking of (& here's the in word for government agencies) operational resilience in an office:innocent enviroment.

Ring finals have their place, have to admit I tend to go with radials these days, if calcs & cost work out.

 

[Sidewinder]

Rings are a Colonial thing like driving on the left!

They may well go the way of most of our Colonies very soon...

 

[M107]

So I hear.

 

[Sidewinder]

Like I said M, I'm gonna get a class room full of DI's & AC tomorrow and gauge the reaction when I start hammering in the nails to the ring cct coffin...

 

[M107]

:^O

I can garuntee that you'll get blank looks off the DI's (if 5ww's & I 'm not tarring all DI's with the same brush before you all start) & the AC's will be set in their ways that "we've always had ring finals"

 

[batty]

So do people put in 20 amp radials or 32 amps?

 

[M107]

I go 32A 4mm for kitchens & 20A 2.5mm for lounge/downstairs then 16A 2.5mm for beds.

 

[batty]

So on a three bed house you would just have three circuits?

 

[M107]

Depends on the size of the property but on an average 3 bed property 5x socket circuits (if radials)...

1. Kitchen
   
2. Utility/Garage
   
3. Lounge & dining & hall way
   
4. Bed rooms
   
5. External
   

 

[steptoe]

:^O I can garuntee that you'll get blank looks off the DI's (if 5ww's & I 'm not tarring all DI's with the same brush before you all start) & the AC's will be set in their ways that "we've always had ring finals"

sorry to disagree,

(well Im not really, I like a good arguement )

the ring is dead, long has been, 27A cable protected by a 32A OCPD.!

its mostly the 5ww and the 16th domestic guys IMO that are dragging it out as they dont know anything any different,

com and ind folks are more receptive to radials, they use them all the time.

 

[Sidewinder]

Steps,

I must confess I don't think I would install a ring now unless it was specified and I had to!