double sockets into junction box

[estate]

Hi
I am new to the forum and would appreciate a second opinion on a job that an electrician is due to carry out.I need two double sockets installing in a room with no previous sockets fitted.The electrician has lifted the floorboards outside the room(other side of door/landing area) and located a brown junction box with 3 wires going in/out with one segment empty(the cable out of two of the segments is 2.5mm),his idea is to take the two lengths of wire to the sockets and install them in this one segment,the sockets will only be used occasionally and light use,is this ok? Any advice appreciated.

 

[Steve]

I take it he means he is extending the ring main. This is what he should be doing, and the fact that he says he's taking 2 wires is a good thing, though the 2 sockets should be linked together too to maintain continuity on the ring.

 

[securespark]

Not sure.

What he needs to do is make sure there is a ring present at this JB. Two of these legs should be the ring, and one a spur. (Assuming you have a ring to start with!)

He needs to split the ring, take one leg to the new socket(s) and the return leg to the other ring cable, adding a further JB.

But to be honest, if the guy doesn't know this, then he is incapable of dong the job safely, and you should consider someone who is properly qualified to do the work. He should also complete a Minor Works Certificate.

BTW you say two of these cables are 2,5. What size is the third??

 

[estate]

Hi
Thanks for the prompt replies,just to clarify,he said he was going to take the wire from one socket,.plus the wire from the other socket and just put them into the junction box,apparently this is marked 30A,no mention of joining socket to socket etc,should i find another electrician!
Thanks

 

[Steve]

ask him what he intends to do to maintain ring continuity, and to ensure the ring remains balanced

 

[Spark123]

So there will be 3 spurs from the ring at this point, might be a bit tight in the JB.

 

[pcboffinuk]

Hi
The electrician has lifted the floorboards outside the room(other side of door/landing area) and located a brown junction box....

A couple of things I'd add...

Using junction boxes to extend a ring is now deprecated I believe? If he's actually just running two unfused spurs from that box I'm not sure its a good idea either - with 3 spurs feeding sockets that could take 13A or more, you could easily exceed the 30A rating of the junction box.

Another thing to consider is that a junction box should be accessible for the future to examine the connections - difficult if its under the floorboards.

The best way to do this would be to connect the two new sockets to the ring (assuming that checks prove there is a ring and that it is suitable for the purpose of course), using crimped or soldered connections - and then run the existing spur (if thats what it is) from the nearest socket.

Given what you say, I do wonder how much this electrician actually knows about domestic electrical installations - but thats your call.

Hope that helps - you will certainly get good advice on this forum if you have any more questions anyway. (disclaimer - other forums are available )

Gavin

 

[Steve]

(disclaimer - other forums are available )

Gavin

no there aren't. just us. we are the best.

 

[Spark123]

...with 3 spurs feeding sockets that could take 13A or more, you could easily exceed the 30A rating of the junction box.

I don't think overloading the JB is a major issue as the circuit should be fused at 30A/32A.

 

[pcboffinuk]

I don't think overloading the JB is a major issue as the circuit should be fused at 30A/32A.

I thought of that as soon as I'd submitted the post

The more likely problem I would have thought would be the number of cables in one junction box being a very tight fit.

Gavin