Kitchen, First Fix Electrics

The electrician recommended by our chosen kitchen supplier did the first fix electrics yesterday.  It seems we had a basic ring-main in position, so he has tapped into it at various points.  The pictures are not very clear, but here, for example, the left hand and right hand sockets are pre-existing.  He has added a horizontal cable run (more of this in a second) between the two in order to install intermediates.  At second fix, the the existing link between the two will be disconnected and replaced by this new cable run.

Apparently horizontal cable runs are permitted by the regulations, and are especially recommended in this kitchen scenario, where it is unlikely holes will be needed in the wall between worktop and the underside of wall units.  If each socket had to be run vertically up to the ceiling, you run the risk of interfering with the fixings for wall units.

Here is another view, showing the bare walls now all the wall units are gone.  Removal of the old kitchen was part of the quote from our supplier, but we have actually done this ourselves, as and when it suits us.  Maybe we'll save a few quid ?

This view shows the fresh plaster where the chimney breast used to be.  You can also see holes in the ceiling which have been made to route the lighting cables :

This arrangement of cables in the corner will feed the extractor hood and the oven from a heavy duty (4mm^2 ?) cable.  Our oven is gas only, but we still need an electric point for the spark ignition, and it makes sense to have a supply in place for any future change to electric cooking.  This heavy duty cable was already there, so it makes sense to use it.

On the opposite side is a flying pair of cables temporarily joined to make the ring main good.  These will feed a socket built into the back of a dresser style unit that will stand here.  A spur exits left through the wall to power a built-in microwave in the utility area :

The big job for the coming weekend is removal of the old plaster, as the new stuff starts to go up next Wednesday.