Converting single to duoble socket

[ronnie1005]

Hi

I wish to convert a single socket to a double. The socket has only one live wire connected to it and I want to use it to run my telephone and a table lamp- could you please answer the following queries?
1. Is it a spur socket?
2. Can I swap the socket for a double?
3. is it relevant what appliances I can run from it?
4. Does it contravene any regulations?

many thanks

 

[kai]

Does it have an Earth and Neutral wire connected?

It is likely to be a Spur - the safest way is to fit a 13a unswitched fuse connection unit, and make it a fused spur to a new double socket.

 

[ronnie1005]

Yes, there is a neutral and earth connected to the current single socket

 

[notb665]

Yeah it sounds like a spur - any socket with just one cable into it is either a spur or the end of a radial circuit.

Switching the power off to the socket (on the Consumer Unit) I would get my drill and hammer and chisel out and fit a new (double) pattress box, patching plaster etc.

I have seen these things in Homebase and Screwfix.com where you just plug a double socket into the single and it looks like a flush double, but I have had no experience of them. They were about £30 I think whereas the hammer+chisel way would be about £5 tops but main cost would be time and effort. Careful of the wallpaper too.

A telephone and table lamp should be fine.

No, it does not contravene any regulations.

 

[duxster]

With regards to regs, an I right in that from next year this sort of work should really be inspected by a qualified electrician?

Read somewhere that all electrical work will need to be passed from 2005 onwards?

Dux

 

[ZenStalinist]

That doesn't apply to minor electrical work, like changing a socket, adding a socket, changing a light fitting etc.

 

[AdamW]

Of course, all triple sockets are fitted with a fuse already. So you could use a single flush to triple surface box adaptor (I believe Screwfix sells them, but they are back to their website-blocking ways), with a triple socket in this. Which would actually be safer than sticking an unfused double socket in the wall instead.

The parts probably cost no more than £10 I would have thought.

 

[Lectrician]

No need for Fused Spur.

Also, this socket may in fact be a spur from a spur (in the old days, a spur could feed ONE double, or TWO single sockets). If it is, then changing it to a double would not be to the regs.

 

[StirlingScott]

1 to 2 gang, 2 to 3 gang and 2 to 4 gang converta sockets all available on www.theelectricalshop.com