Installing a new socket

[gcltd]

Hi, I'm about the chop out a new socket in our bedroom. It has a single socket on one side and the other side is where I plan to fit a new socket. We live in a bungalow and cables run up the wall to the loft.

Is the best way to go in to the loft, find the socket cable, join in to this and chase it down the other side of the wall? if so, what do I use to split this cable on the already installed socket? Many Thanks

 

[sparkwright]

The simple way is to find a cable which is DIRECTLY on the ring circuit - ie not a spur.

This is all assuming your sockets are fed by a standard 30 or 32 amp ring circuit.

You can confirm it is directly on the ring by TURNING ALL POWER OFF, cutting the cable, and then doing a simple continuity test on each of the three conductors.

You now have two choices,

Run a 2.5 mm twin and earth cable from this point down to the new socket position. Join the three cable ends in a 30 amp junction box.
This is known as spurring from the ring circuit.

or

From one cut end run a 2.5 down to socket. In loft join one old cable to the new cable with 30 amp jb.
Run another 2.5 from the new socket, and join the other end of this to the remaining old cable in the loft.
Join the two new cables together at the new socket.
This is known as extending the ring circuit.

Either way, use oval conduit to protect the cable in the chase in the wall.
Use a 20 mm rubber grommet in the back box.
Use earth sleeving over all bare earth wires.

Do you know if your sockets are on a ring circuit?

Work safely.

 

[Taylortwocities]

See the WIKI HERE for detail on how to do the job.

 

[gcltd]

Hi, thanks for your help.

I'm not sure if the sockets are on a ring circuit?

Would this decide the best of your two options to follow? re the extended the ring circuit, I assume I'll need 2 x 30amp jb's?

Thanks again

 

[sparkwright]

To extend the ring you would need two 30 amp JBs.

Both methods would be suitable even if your wiring isn't on a ring, ie a radial.

But the important thing to consider is that if you have a ring, the cable that you cut into MUST be directly on the ring, and not a spur.
See my earlier post.

You must also use cable that is at least the same size as the existing.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

and if the circuit is a ring final, I would extend the ring rather than just adding a spur on to it.
The time and cost of materials will not be that greater.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I assume I'll need 2 x 30amp jb's?

You do not need to use any JBs, at all, if you are extending a ring, or adding a spur.

See my link to the WIKI, above.

 

[sparkwright]

I assume I'll need 2 x 30amp jb's?

You do not need to use any JBs, at all, if you are extending a ring, or adding a spur.

See my link to the WIKI, above.

But the op is going on about cutting into a cable in the loft, presumably to reduce disturbance to the other walls in the bungalow.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Aah yes, bungalow.

Take 100 lines

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