spur sockets from consumer unit

steve101 · 21 Jan 2010

Hello all. I am after a bit of advice.

I am just putting the finishing touches to my basement and I just want to make sure that I am doing the plug sockets correctly.

I have got one 2.5 cable running from the consumer unit and I was going too connect that to a double socket and then connect a 2nd double socket to the first double socket.

Is this correct?

The room is going to be a gym and the only items that will be plugged in is a TV, fan and maybe a stereo and a hoover occasionally!

Thanks very much for your help.

Steve.

Chri5 · 21 Jan 2010

And what MCB at the CU do you intend to terminate the 2.6mm TE ?

A 30 / 32 amp ring MCB is allowed 1 x spur in 2.5mm to 1 x double socket. Logic being that the max load to the double socket is limited to 26 amp (2 x 13 amp devices).

So you shouldn't have 2 x double sockets because there is a potential over load. I know you have indicated the devices to be plugged in won't over load- but what happens when someone years later decides to run kettles and portable heating from the sockets ??

Best to run the 2.5mm to a fused spur at 13 amp and then have the sockets run off the f/ spur.

steve101 · 21 Jan 2010

Thank you very much Chris.

Steve

martinxxxxxx · 21 Jan 2010

Or just fit a 20A CB instead and wire it as you first intended

Taylortwocities · 22 Jan 2010

From the title of the thread I had understood that these sockets would be connected an existing circuit that serves a ring final.?

To do this properly he would need to create a new radial circuit with a 20A cpd protecting it. Then he is into notifiable works.

MO Chri5's FCU solution is the best way to go.

steve101 · 22 Jan 2010

Thanks Taylor.

I am redecorating my basement and I am doing as much work as I can myself, (floating floor, spotlights, plaster boarding etc). Because I did not know how long this would take I asked the electrician who done work for us upstairs to put a wire in place so that I could chase it into the walls and work out where I wanted the plug sockets. I have since plasterboard my ceilings!

So I have 1 2.5 cable running to the consumer unit plugged into it's own switch, so I could cut all power to that room and nowhere else if I wanted to.

I am going to get someone in to do this work for me but will I be ok with the single cable or should I take down my ceilings and run up a second cable so that it can be a ring main?

Thinking about what chri5 said, there is a chance I may have a plug in heater once I get to lazy to have it as a gym!

ban-all-sheds · 22 Jan 2010

steve101 said:
I asked the electrician who done work for us upstairs to put a wire in place so that I could chase it into the walls and work out where I wanted the plug sockets.

Did he ask you what you wanted to use it for?

So I have 1 2.5 cable running to the consumer unit plugged into it's own switch

What rating?

steve101 · 22 Jan 2010

Yeah, I said it was going to be a gym so I would only really have a tv and stereo down there. I guess I''m pretty naive when it comes to electrics, I thought as long as I had plug sockets down there I could plug anything in! I'm also thinking of getting a running machine so I'm really worried now!

I'm sorry but I don't know the rating without checking.

I'm going to start looking for an electrician now. Do you think I will have to take the ceilings down in order for the electrician to get to the consumer unit?

Thanks for all your help.

ban-all-sheds · 22 Jan 2010

steve101 said:
I'm sorry but I don't know the rating without checking.

You need to check - we need to know.

I'm going to start looking for an electrician now. Do you think I will have to take the ceilings down in order for the electrician to get to the consumer unit?

To run a cable back to turn it into a ring?

Dunno, but a decent electrician will have all sorts of tricks/techniques/tools for getting cables from A to B without demolition work.

But we don't know yet if that will be necessary.

steve101 · 22 Jan 2010

Thanks very much. I'll check the rating tonight.

Chri5 · 22 Jan 2010

steve101 said:
Thanks very much. I'll check the rating tonight.

It's entirely possible that the guy has supplied you with a direct 'radial' feed from the CU as a dedicated circuit.

If so the 2.5mm cable should be fused on a 20 amp MCB- then the circuit can have as many sockets as you need BUT will be limited to a total load of 230v x 20amp = 4600w

That would cover the electrical requirements for a single area adequately, say you have 2 kw / 2000w heater- you'd still end up with 2600w for appliances.

steve101 · 22 Jan 2010

Thanks Chri5.

How would I know if it is Direct radial feed?

If it is a direct radial feed would it still need to be a fused spur?

Having seen it with the ceilings down I know that it has its own switch on the CU (We had a new CU put in when we moved in 2 years ago).

Do I just pull out that switch from the CU to check the amp?

So far I have learnt that I know less than I thought I knew!

ban-all-sheds · 22 Jan 2010

steve101 said:
How would I know if it is Direct radial feed?

You're the one telling us it is...

I know that it has its own switch on the CU

We had a new CU put in when we moved in 2 years ago

What does it say about that circuit on the schedule of circuits of the Electrical Installation Certificate?

If it is a direct radial feed would it still need to be a fused spur?

One would sincerely hope not.

What's the rating of the MCB?

Do I just pull out that switch from the CU to check the amp?

No - just open the access cover, unless it's transparent, and look at what it says on it.

So far I have learnt that I know less than I thought I knew!

All learning is good.

Chri5 · 22 Jan 2010

Your syntax / language isn't in 'trade' speak

When you say switch at CU I'd hope you mean a fuse switch or MCB- mini circuit breaker.

The switch (if it is a fuse in the CU) will have a rating on it- you need to look at this and confirm, if you have any problems then post a picture and we can comment further.

steve101 · 22 Jan 2010

Having done a google image search I can now tell you that it has its own dedicated MCB on the CU so it is a direct radial feed!

Below are two pictures of MCB's Could you please tell me How to work out what amp the MCB is?

Someone once told me that a day where you do not learn anything new is a wasted day! Today is certainly not a wasted day!

Thanks again for all your help!

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00vBFaQczHqTWY/Miniature-Circuit-Breaker-MCB-.jpg

http://www.socketmanufacturers.com/...aker/DZ47-63-1P-Miniature-Circuit-Breaker.jpg

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spur sockets from consumer unit

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