Even if he didn't want to go right back to a socket, he could still have cut the ring under the floorboards and used a proper junction box. "Choc-blocks" are handy to use within suitable enclosures, but unfortunately I see them used like this in wall cavities and in floor/attic spaces all too frequently.

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I was told that cables are supposed to be put in conduit in 3 x 2 studded walls but this might just be BS.
There's no specific requirement to use conduit. The rules state that the cable must have extra protection if it is less than 2 inches below the surface (well, 50mm actually, but that's close enough to 2" for us Imperial folk! [Linked Image] ).

Conduit would be one way to provide protection, but steel plates are also acceptable and more common in domestic work:

[Linked Image from tlc-direct.co.uk]


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 12-01-2004).]