Extending the ring

[Jupiter01]

I am looking to put acoustic slatted panels on this wall and as part of that, want to adjust the socket in the bottom right. I want to extend this ring and have a socket behind the tv cabinet and then, another socket behind the TV.

I am comfortable with extending the ring and the new back boxes etc. wanted to check how I block off the existing socket as that’s no longer required. A blanking plate will stick out and I want to avoid cutting it out in the slatted panels.

Also, am I okay to channel the wall for the t&e cables and then easifill them in?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ericmark]

To extend the ring, first we look at the line - neutral and line - earth loop impedance or resistance readings, to work out if the ring can be extended and still be within the limits set. Next we look at permitted zones, which is often why blanking plates are used.

In some cases we can see from size of house and design that we are nowhere near the limit, or from the schedule of test results from previous work. And we can quickly see if already RCD protected, or if RCD protection needs to be added first.

See Wiki for Permitted cable routes in Walls and Inspection-and-Testing and Ring-final-Circuit it seems the RCD links fail likely it did link to this or this which explains how they work etc it would seem the zones (Permitted cable routes in Walls) is likely what you need to see, if cables are removed completely then can plaster over, but if they remain in the wall, then a blank shows where they are.

 

[Jupiter01]

I own a MFT and will check resistance and continuity before I make the change.
I will be going left out of the existing socket to a new socket behind the cabinet. I will be going straight up from here to put another socket behind the TV. All cables are in safe zones.

I will extend the ring - subject to testing - from current socket with wagos but wondering whether I can fill this in so it is flush to the wall for when I stick down the slatted panel or if there is a different method I should be using.

 

[Jupiter01]

I'd be grateful if someone can suggest a method that allows me to cover up the existing socket as part of this ring extension please. I can place the wagos inside a wago box if that is recommended.

 

[pete01]

Pull the cables up into the ceiling or down into the floor and join there?

 

[Jupiter01]

Pull the cables up into the ceiling or down into the floor and join there?

Thanks. Did consider that but the cables are coming up from a concrete floor.

 

[pete01]

Thanks. Did consider that but the cables are coming up from a concrete floor.

You sure? Wonder how they wired it originally?

You might just have you have another socket or a blank plate as you cant just cover over the connections and leave wires in the wall out of zone.

 

[Jupiter01]

leave wires in the wall out of zone.

Aren't they in zone for the new socket that I am fitting to the left of this, behind the cabinet. Also, it's directly below the light switch so no one should be drilling here anyhow?

 

[pete01]

Aren't they in zone for the new socket that I am fitting to the left of this, behind the cabinet. Also, it's directly below the light switch so no one should be drilling here anyhow?
View attachment 405864

I dont think the light switch can put the socket wires into zone it needs to be the same circuit.

And if the socket was gone the new socket wont cover the old socket wires.

If that makes sense

 

[pete01]

If the wall is 100mm (I think it is) or less the zone can be on the other side of the wall so you could put a socket or blank plate on the opposite side if that helps?

 

[Jupiter01]

I dont think the light switch can put the socket wires into zone it needs to be the same circuit.

And if the socket was gone the new socket wont cover the old socket wires.

If that makes sense

Sorry @pete01, I don't follow. With the existing light switch and also with the new socket directly to the left of the current socket, isn't the existing socket (in its covered state) in a safe zone? No one should be drilling here as it's in line with both the new socket (horizontally) and the existing light switch (vertically). Furthermore, if someone opened up the new socket they would see that the Ring cables are running in the direction of where this socket currently is.

 

[pete01]

If you remove the socket marked S the circled wires will be out of zone.

(Im doubting myself on the separate circuit zone thing I said earlier, I'll double check that)

 

[Jupiter01]

Ah I get it. Thanks for that @pete01

 

[EFLImpudence]

(Im doubting myself on the separate circuit zone thing I said earlier, I'll double check that)

You are more or less correct.

An accessory only creates a 'safe zone' for cables connected to it.