Single socket replacement - multiple live / neutral cables

Philives · 19 Jul 2015

Hi,

I'm putting a new single socket but after taking off the old one found that it has 3x live and 3x neutral wires, all of which are fairly chunky making it difficult if not impossible to get back into the live connectors in the socket.

Couple questions I need help with:

1. Is having multiple live and neutral cables ok ie not dangerous?

2. What is the easiest / safest way to rewire the socket?

Hope the pic helps, any help much appreciated.

bernardgreen · 19 Jul 2015

What you have is quite normal

Socket is ( probably ) on a ring final ( a ring main ) with a spur of to another socket

You need to tidy the wires up to suit the lay out of the terminals. The reds look OK but cut the twisted ends of the two blacks that are twisted and re-strip the ends. It is easier to get the wire into the terminal if they are NOT twisted.

Ensure that

There in no bare copper visible on Live and Neutral when in the terminal
Ensure that the terminal is clamping onto copper and not insulation
Ensure that the terminals are tightly screwed down and the wire annot be pulled out.

You probably know that Red is Live, Black is Neutral and Green is Earth.

PrenticeBoyofDerry · 19 Jul 2015

Ans:
1) Would depend on the type of circuit and if this socket was part of a multi non fused spur set-up.
2) Well sometimes it is difficult, as not all socket outlet terminals are positioned the same, as one being replaced and sometimes the outlets are not that accommodating for three conductors. It is a case of do you persevere with it, try to source a more accommodating outlet or as an alternative but not best practice, terminate the conductors of each type in a separate suitably rated connector and run a single suitably rated conductor from each to the socket terminal.

AndyPRK · 19 Jul 2015

Clean the old one up at the kitchen sink.

Assuming it's not faulty.

sparkwright · 19 Jul 2015

As suggested, don't have the wires twisted.

It may pay to twist each wire end INDIVIDUALLY so each wire end is tidy, and then push each wire gently into the terminal.

Make sure there are no broken strands on any of the wires before connecting.

Also make sure there is no 'exposed' copper showing when the wires are connected.

Simarly, make sure there isn't any insulation trapped under the terminals.

Take your time to get a neat and tidy job, and avoid shortening the wires too much - but don't let any knackered, 'frayed' wire ends remain.

Take time to arrange the wires neatly in the back box, and be certain not to allow the wires to get damaged against the 'lugs' of the back box, as this will cause fairly major problems.

ban-all-sheds · 19 Jul 2015

And talking of taking time....

Given this:

Philives said:
Is having multiple live and neutral cables ok ie not dangerous?

please take the time to do some of this:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+house+wiring+(basics+OR+101)
[wiki]Electrics%3Abooks[/wiki]
[wiki]Electrics%3Aindex[/wiki]

skotl · 19 Jul 2015

ban-all-sheds said:
And talking of taking time....

Given this:

Philives said:

Is having multiple live and neutral cables ok ie not dangerous?

Click to expand...

please take the time to do some of this:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=uk+house+wiring+(basics+OR+101)

[wiki]Electrics%3Abooks[/wiki]

[wiki]Electrics%3Aindex[/wiki]

What advice or knowledge is the OP going to glean from these links, over and above the advice he has received here, for the specific task he is looking to complete?

The OP asked whether it was normal and has been reassured that it is - he doesn't need to buy an electrics book to screw the cables into a new socket.

OwainDIYer · 19 Jul 2015

In addition the earth wire needs to be sleeved green/yellow and that looks like an old box which needs a 2BA bolt to bond the earth to it.

AndyPRK · 19 Jul 2015

Is it really necessary to remove a bit of green sleaving and fit green/yellow ?

JohnD · 19 Jul 2015

if you have bought a budget brand of socket, the terminals may not be very big. You can probably get Crabtree locally. There are a few other good UK made brands.

sparkwright · 19 Jul 2015

JohnD said:
if you have bought a budget brand of socket, the terminals may not be very big. You can probably get Crabtree locally. There are a few other good UK made brands.

The picture shows what looks like a brand new MK socket.

I THINK these are reputed to accept three 4.0mm2 or two 6.0mm2 cables, so those wires should go in if properly prepared.

OwainDIYer · 20 Jul 2015

AndyPRK said:
Is it really necessary to remove a bit of green sleaving and fit green/yellow ?

No, but it is necessary to sleeve the (mostly) unsleeved earth wire which is going to the rear entry cable.

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Single socket replacement - multiple live / neutral cables

Philives

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