Extra Electrical Socket

[haveaago]

I want to add an extra plug socket in a room, I have read that the easiest way, is to add a cable to an existing socket on the circuit thus making it a spur, but how do I know the socket isnt already a spur? I have read that you cant have more than one spur on each socket, Is this fact?

Thank you
Haveaago

 

[Jimbo]

If, when you open up the existing socket, there is only one cable feeding it, then it is itself a spur and you shouldn't take a further spur from it. If there's three cables, then it's on the ring main but is already feeding a spur; again, you shouldn't take a further spur.

If you have two cables feeding the existing socket, chances are it's on a ring main and is safe to spur from. However, it may be the first socket on a two-socket spur. To be sure, you need to use a circuit tester to confirm that it's part of the ring main.