Adding to sockets.

30Sixteen · 30 May 2021

Hi guys, I have a quick question.

I have a an outside IP rated socked (double) on the side of my house. It’s fed from a socket inside the house directly opposite on the other side of the wall.

I need more sockets outside in the same place and as it seems you can’t buy larger sockets I was wondering what my options are?

Thank you.

Matt.

ericmark · 30 May 2021

The plug fitted to a socket has a fuse, so maximum draw for double socket is 26 amp, in the main we fuse socket circuits to 32 amp, which in the main is too much for a single spur, so some how some way some sort of limit is required. Normal is a fused spur, which would normally replace the donor socket.

There are exceptions, some homes don't have ring finals, but have radial supplies, some houses lack any RCD protection so it also needs adding, but you have not given enough information.

30Sixteen · 30 May 2021

ericmark said:
The plug fitted to a socket has a fuse, so maximum draw for double socket is 26 amp, in the main we fuse socket circuits to 32 amp, which in the main is too much for a single spur, so some how some way some sort of limit is required. Normal is a fused spur, which would normally replace the donor socket.

There are exceptions, some homes don't have ring finals, but have radial supplies, some houses lack any RCD protection so it also needs adding, but you have not given enough information.

Hi,
It’s a new build and the socket that feeds the outside is protected by a 32a RCD and is on a ring. It doesn’t look like it’s already spurred.

aptsys · 30 May 2021

You could take another spur from the socket on the ring if it can be safely terminated in the back of that socket. Alternatively fit a 13A FCU inside and run as many sockets as you like from the load side of the FCU

30Sixteen · 30 May 2021

aptsys said:
You could take another spur from the socket on the ring if it can be safely terminated in the back of that socket. Alternatively fit a 13A FCU inside and run as many sockets as you like from the load side of the FCU

Thanks very much. Pretty much answered my question

Could I also run an IP rated 13A FCU from the outside socket and run an extra outside socket ti that?
Thanks again.

ericmark · 30 May 2021

Some times the rules do seem daft, basic idea is no more than three wires in a terminal, so a grid plate with two single sockets and you can take two independent spurs, but a single double socket and you can't as would mean 4 wires in a terminal.

EFLImpudence · 30 May 2021

ericmark said:
The plug fitted to a socket has a fuse, so maximum draw for double socket is 26 amp, in the main we fuse socket circuits to 32 amp, which in the main is too much for a single spur, so some how some way some sort of limit is required. Normal is a fused spur, which would normally replace the donor socket.

What if you used cable that could cope with 32A?

ericmark · 30 May 2021

EFLImpudence said:
What if you used cable that could cope with 32A?

That's why I said in the main.

aptsys · 30 May 2021

30Sixteen said:
Thanks very much. Pretty much answered my question

Could I also run an IP rated 13A FCU from the outside socket and run an extra outside socket ti that?
Thanks again.

No, you would most likely need to replace the first outdoor socket with the FCU

EFLImpudence · 30 May 2021

Just replace the spur cable with 4mm² which is good for 32A.

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Adding to sockets.

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