INSTALLATION GUIDE

First Fix Electrical: Getting the Hidden Infrastructure Right

First fix is the foundation of every electrical installation. Cable routing, back boxes, containment and coordination with other trades have to be right before the plaster goes on, because mistakes discovered afterwards are expensive to put right. This guide covers the BS 7671 rules that decide each of them.

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12 min readUpdated 2026-08-07Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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The short answer

What is first fix in electrical installation?

First fix is the electrical work done before the walls are plastered and the floors are laid: running cables, fitting back boxes, installing containment and drilling joists. Cables in a wall must satisfy Table 52.1 of BS 7671, and cables through joists must be at least 50 mm from the top or bottom edge. Second fix — accessories, the consumer unit and testing — follows once the plaster is dry.

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Key takeaways

  1. 01First fix is everything installed before the plaster goes on — cables, containment, back boxes and drops. Second fix is the accessories, the consumer unit and the testing.
  2. 02A cable in a wall or partition is governed by Table 52.1 (Regulation 522.6.202). At A4:2026 the requirements previously in Regulation 522.6.203 were relocated into that table, so depth from the surface and whether the wall contains metallic parts now decide what protection is needed.
  3. 03A prescribed zone is within 150 mm of the top of the wall, within 150 mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls, or horizontally and vertically from any point, accessory or switchgear. There is no prescribed zone at the floor line.
  4. 04A cable passing through a joist must be at least 50 mm from the top or bottom of the joist, or comply with Regulation 522.6.204 (Regulation 522.6.201).
  5. 05Regulation 411.3.4 requires 30 mA RCD additional protection for AC final circuits supplying luminaires within domestic premises — every lighting circuit needs an RCD-protected way on the board schedule.
  6. 06Regulation 421.1.7 was redrafted at A4:2026: AFDDs are a requirement on socket-outlet final circuits up to 32 A in high rise residential buildings, HMOs, purpose-built student accommodation and care homes, and recommended in all other premises. Decide this before you order the consumer unit.
  7. 07Part P notification is required for new circuits in dwellings, new consumer units, and work in special locations such as bathrooms and rooms containing a shower.

01 · Installation Guide

What Is First Fix Electrical?

First fix electrical is the stage of an electrical installation that takes place before the walls are plastered and the floors are finished. It is the hidden infrastructure — the cables, containment, back boxes and mounting points that will be concealed behind the finished surfaces. Everything installed at first fix must be correct before it is covered up, because accessing it afterwards means damaging the finished building.

On a typical domestic new build or full rewire, first fix accounts for the larger share of the total installation time. It involves running all cables from the consumer unit position to every switch, socket, light and fixed appliance position in the property. It also includes installing containment (conduit, trunking or cable tray), fitting back boxes into walls, and pulling cables for smoke detectors, data points and any specialist systems.

The quality of first fix directly determines the quality of the finished installation. Cables routed outside BS 7671 safe zones risk damage from future fixings. Back boxes fitted at the wrong height or in the wrong position mean awkward accessory placements that the customer will notice. Containment that is too small for the number of cables makes pulling cables difficult and restricts heat dissipation.

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02 · Installation Guide

First Fix vs Second Fix: What Happens When

First and second fix are the same installation split by the plasterer. Anything that has to be buried goes in at first fix; anything that can be screwed on afterwards waits for second fix. Getting the split right is mostly a scheduling problem — you need two visits booked around the wet trades, not one.

ElementFirst fix (before plaster)Second fix (after decoration)
CablesRun from the board position to every outlet, left long and coiled at each boxStripped, sleeved and terminated into the accessory
Back boxesChased into masonry or fixed to studs, set to the finished plaster lineFaceplate fixed to the box, grommets and gasket checked
AccessoriesNone fittedSockets, switches, spurs, ceiling roses, downlights, extract fans
Consumer unitPosition agreed and marked, circuit cables dressed in and labelledBoard fitted, circuits connected, RCD and AFDD ways allocated, schedule completed
ContainmentConduit, trunking, tray and capping installed and cables drawn inLids, covers and accessory boxes made off
TestingContinuity and insulation resistance on the concealed work before it is coveredFull initial verification and the Electrical Installation Certificate
Position in the programmeAfter the structure is weathertight, before the plastererAfter plastering, decoration and floor coverings

Regulation 641.1 is the reason the testing splits across both visits: every installation shall, during erection and on completion before being put into service, be inspected and tested to verify, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the requirements of BS 7671 have been met. Once the plaster is on, the concealed work can no longer be inspected — so the inspection has to happen while it is still open.

03 · Installation Guide

Cable Routing and Safe Zones

Cable routing is the most critical aspect of first fix. Every cable must follow a route that minimises the risk of damage during and after construction, complies with BS 7671, and allows the cable to carry its design current without overheating.

What counts as a prescribed zone

Regulation 522.6.202 requires a cable installed in a wall or partition to comply with Table 52.1. The footnote to that table defines the prescribed zones:

  • Within 150 mm from the top of the wall or partition.
  • Within 150 mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls or partitions.
  • Horizontally and vertically from any point, accessory or switchgear located on the wall. Wiring from any circuit can be installed in such a zone.

Where the location of the accessory, point or switchgear can be determined from the reverse side, a zone formed on one side of a wall or partition 100 mm thick or less extends to the reverse side.

There is no prescribed zone at the floor line. A run dropped to skirting level and taken horizontally gets nothing from the zone rules — plan routes accordingly.

Table 52.1 — what a cable in a wall actually needs

A4:2026 relocated the old Regulation 522.6.203 requirements into Table 52.1, so the protection now depends on two things: how deep the cable sits below the finished surface, and whether the wall or partition contains metallic parts.

Wall constructionCable less than 50 mm deepCable 50 mm or more deep
Without metallic partsInstalled in a prescribed zone and given additional protection by an RCD with the characteristics of Regulation 415.1.1; or comply with Regulation 522.6.204No additional impact protection required
With metallic partsInstalled in a prescribed zone and given additional protection by an RCD with the characteristics of Regulation 415.1.1; or installed in a prescribed zone and comply with Regulation 522.6.204Given additional protection by an RCD with the characteristics of Regulation 415.1.1; or comply with Regulation 522.6.204

Regulation 415.1.1 is the 30 mA figure: an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA, recognised in AC systems as additional protection. The practical catch is the bottom row — a metal-stud partition contains metallic parts, so a cable in it needs protection at any depth, not just under 50 mm.

The Regulation 522.6.204 alternatives

Where Table 52.1 allows Regulation 522.6.204 instead of an RCD, the cable shall:

  • incorporate an earthed metallic covering complying with the requirements of BS 7671 for a protective conductor of the circuit concerned, the cable complying with BS 5467, BS 6724, BS 7846, BS 8436 or BS EN 60702-1; or
  • be installed in earthed conduit complying with BS EN 61386-21 and satisfying the requirements of BS 7671 for a protective conductor; or
  • be enclosed in earthed trunking or ducting complying with BS EN 50085-2-1 and satisfying the requirements of BS 7671 for a protective conductor; or
  • be provided with mechanical protection against damage sufficient to prevent penetration of the cable by nails, screws and the like; or
  • form part of a SELV or PELV circuit meeting the requirements of Regulation 414.4.

Cables through joists and battens

Regulation 522.6.201 covers the floors and ceilings. A cable installed under a floor or above a ceiling shall be run in a position where it is not liable to be damaged by contact with the floor or ceiling or their fixings. A cable passing through a joist within a floor or ceiling construction, or through a ceiling support such as under floorboards, shall be installed at least 50 mm measured vertically from the top, or bottom as appropriate, of the joist or batten — or comply with Regulation 522.6.204.

That 50 mm is the electrical rule. The structural rules for where you are allowed to drill a joist at all — position along the span, hole diameter relative to joist depth, spacing between holes, and the general preference for drilled holes over notches — come from the Building Regulations and the timber design guidance, not from BS 7671. On a new build, confirm them with the frame designer before you start boring holes.

Two A4:2026 changes that decide your board

Both of these are consumer unit decisions, and both have to be made at first fix — before the board position is fixed and the unit is ordered.

Regulation 411.3.4 — 30 mA RCD on domestic lighting

Within domestic (household) premises, additional protection by an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA shall be provided for AC final circuits supplying luminaires. This is a "shall", not a recommendation. At first fix it means every lighting circuit you run has to be assigned to an RCD-protected way on the board schedule.

Regulation 421.1.7 — AFDDs, required in four building types

A4:2026 redrafted this regulation, and it is no longer a flat recommendation. AFDDs conforming to BS EN 62606 shall be provided for single-phase AC final circuits supplying socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32 A in high rise residential buildings (HRRBs), houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), purpose-built student accommodation, and care homes. For all other premises, AFDDs are recommended for the same circuits. Where used, AFDDs shall be placed at the origin of the circuit to be protected, which drives both the type of board and the number of ways you need. The note to the regulation assumes a high rise residential building is over 18 m in height or in excess of six storeys, whichever is met first.

In practice, planning cable routes before drilling and chasing saves significant time. Mark out accessory positions on the walls, plan the runs from each position back to the consumer unit, and identify any crossings or shared routes where containment will be needed.

04 · Installation Guide

Back Boxes and Mounting Points

Back boxes (also called pattress boxes) are installed at first fix to provide a mounting point for the accessories that will be fitted at second fix. Getting back box selection and positioning right at first fix avoids problems later.

  • Metal back boxes (masonry walls) — 25 mm or 35 mm deep for standard switches and sockets, 47 mm deep for dimmer switches and some smart switches that have deeper mechanisms. Use galvanised steel boxes with an earth terminal.
  • Dry-lining boxes (plasterboard walls) — cavity-fixing boxes that grip the plasterboard when tightened. Available in single, double and triple gang sizes. Check the box depth against the plasterboard-to-stud gap before you cut.
  • Standard heights — sockets at 450 mm and switches at 1200 mm from finished floor level, measured to the centre of the box. These are not BS 7671 requirements; they are the industry defaults and they sit inside the accessibility range that Building Regulations Approved Document M works to.
  • Cooker switch position — beside the cooker rather than above it, so nobody has to reach over a hot hob to isolate. Around 1350 mm from finished floor level is common practice, and within reach of the appliance it controls.

Allow sufficient cable at each back box position for the second fix electrician to work comfortably. Leave at least 200 mm of cable protruding from each box. That is enough length to strip, terminate and push back into the box without straining the connections.

05 · Installation Guide

Containment Systems: Conduit, Trunking and Cable Tray

Containment protects cables from mechanical damage, simplifies cable management, and provides a professional finish in exposed or surface-mounted installations. The choice depends on the installation environment, the number of cables, and whether the containment will be concealed or visible.

PVC conduit

Round PVC conduit (20 mm or 25 mm) is used for concealed runs in masonry walls and floors, with the cables drawn in after the conduit is fixed. Regulation 522.8.2 requires a conduit or ducting system buried in the structure to be completely erected between access points before any cable is drawn in — so it has to be finished, not half-finished, before you pull.

Steel conduit

Galvanised steel conduit provides mechanical protection and can serve as the circuit protective conductor — Regulation 543.2.1(f) recognises a metal conduit or metallic cable management system as a protective conductor, provided it satisfies the rest of Section 543 for continuity and cross-sectional area. That means every coupler, bush and box has to be made off properly, and the continuity has to be tested.

PVC trunking

Mini-trunking and dado trunking are used for surface-mounted cable management, commonly in commercial offices and retail premises, in sizes from 16x16 mm upwards. Use Elec-Mate's trunking fill calculator to check the cable count against the capacity of the section you have specified.

Cable tray and basket

Cable tray (perforated or ladder type) and cable basket are used in commercial and industrial installations for running large numbers of cables over long distances. Cables are laid on the tray rather than enclosed, which ventilates them and reduces the grouping penalty compared with the same cables bunched in an enclosure.

BS 7671 does not publish a numerical fill percentage for conduit or trunking. Capacity is worked out from the cable factor and conduit or trunking factor tables in the IET On-Site Guide, which take account of the run length and the number of bends. Elec-Mate's conduit fill calculator does that arithmetic for you. What BS 7671 does require is Regulation 522.8.1: the wiring system shall be selected and erected to avoid damage to the sheath or insulation of cables and their terminations during installation, use or maintenance, and lubricants that can have a detrimental effect on the cable or wiring system are not permitted.

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06 · Installation Guide

Coordination with Other Trades

First fix electrical rarely happens in isolation. On any building project — new build, extension or rewire — the electrician must coordinate with plumbers, plasterers, carpenters and the main contractor. Poor coordination is one of the most common causes of delay and rework.

  • Plumber — agree positions for the boiler supply, cylinder immersion, unvented cylinder controls, underfloor heating manifold and any mechanical ventilation. Avoid running cables directly above or below hot water pipes.
  • Plasterer — all first fix must be complete and signed off before plastering starts. Back boxes should finish flush with the plastered surface, neither recessed behind it nor proud of it. Agree the plaster thickness and set the boxes to suit.
  • Carpenter — coordinate stud positions for dry-lining boxes, agree joist drilling positions, and confirm the kitchen unit layout before you set worktop socket and switch heights. Cables through joists still have to meet the 50 mm rule in Regulation 522.6.201, so the holes have to suit both trades.
  • Main contractor — agree the programme, access arrangements and any temporary supplies needed for the build. First fix follows structural work and precedes plastering in the build sequence.

Use Elec-Mate's quoting app to produce a first fix specification and quote that details every accessory position, circuit allocation and containment requirement. Sharing it with the builder and the other trades at the start of the project prevents misunderstandings and keeps the programme on track.

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07 · Installation Guide

Part P Notification for First Fix Work

Part P of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) makes certain domestic electrical work notifiable. The work must either be carried out by a registered competent person, who can self-certify, or notified to Building Control before it starts.

First fix work that is notifiable under Part P includes:

  • Installation of a new circuit — any new circuit added to an existing or new consumer unit.
  • Consumer unit replacement or relocation, including the installation of a new consumer unit in a new build.
  • Any electrical work in a special location — bathrooms, rooms containing a shower, swimming pools, saunas and hot tub enclosures.
  • A full rewire or new build installation — the entire installation is notifiable.

If you are registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or another competent person scheme, you can self-certify. You complete the installation, carry out initial verification, issue the Electrical Installation Certificate, and notify Building Control through your scheme. The scheme issues a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate to the customer.

If you are not registered with a competent person scheme, you must notify Building Control before starting the work. They will inspect at first fix stage, before plastering, and again at completion. Building Control charges a fee for this inspection and the amount varies by local authority.

08 · Installation Guide

Common First Fix Mistakes to Avoid

First fix mistakes are expensive because they are hidden behind finished surfaces. By the time one is discovered it usually means opening up a wall or a ceiling. These are the ones that come back most often:

  • Cables outside a prescribed zone with nothing else in place — running diagonally across walls or at arbitrary heights, with no 30 mA RCD and no earthed metallic containment. Table 52.1 gives you options, but it does not give you none.
  • Treating a metal-stud partition like a timber one — a wall containing metallic parts needs protection at any depth. The 50 mm let-off only applies to walls without metallic parts.
  • Not leaving enough cable at back box positions — 50 to 100 mm makes second fix termination awkward and increases the risk of a poor connection. Leave at least 200 mm.
  • Wrong back box depth — a 25 mm box for a dimmer that needs 35 mm or 47 mm. The mechanism will not fit, and the box has to be replaced after plastering.
  • Forgetting the smoke detector interconnect — interlinked smoke and heat detectors are a Building Regulations requirement. The interconnect has to be run at first fix or you are surface-clipping it later.
  • Not photographing cable routes — photograph every run before plastering. It is a record for the next person and it can be attached to the EIC as supporting evidence.

09 · Installation Guide

First Fix Completion Checklist

Before signing off first fix and letting the plasterer in, work through this checklist to make sure nothing has been missed:

  • Cables run to every accessory position — sockets, switches, lights, spurs, cooker, shower, smoke detectors, data points, EV charger, outdoor lighting.
  • EV charger circuit sized and consumer unit capacity assessed. Regulation 722.311.201 allows load curtailment, including load reduction or disconnection, either automatically or manually, to be taken into account when determining maximum demand of the installation or part of it.
  • Every cable in a wall checked against Table 52.1 for its depth and the wall construction — prescribed zone, 30 mA RCD, or a Regulation 522.6.204 method.
  • Cables through joists at least 50 mm from the top or bottom, or protected to Regulation 522.6.204.
  • Every lighting circuit allocated to a 30 mA RCD-protected way on the board schedule (Regulation 411.3.4).
  • AFDD requirement settled for the premises type before the consumer unit is ordered (Regulation 421.1.7).
  • Back boxes at the correct height and depth, set to the plaster line, with at least 200 mm of cable protruding.
  • Containment installed where required and cables drawn in.
  • Cables labelled at both ends — at the accessory position and at the consumer unit position. This saves hours at second fix.
  • Continuity and insulation resistance tested on everything about to be covered, and the results recorded. Regulation 641.1 requires inspection and testing during erection as well as on completion.
  • Photographs taken of all concealed cable routes before plastering.
  • Consumer unit position marked and cables dressed ready for second fix.

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