Power to new bedroom units with fitted downlighting

[ianjlotus]

The people fitting new bedroom units in 2 weeks have told me to arrange a power cable to the top of the wall to use as power for the bedroom units lighting. I cannot come from the loft as it is floor boarded.

Advised it was an easy job - open up a socket, add a fused switch spur with a 5amp fuse, and then chase a cable from the spur to the ceiling.

On further checking, it did not seem a problem as long as the socket was in a ring main and not already a spur from a ring main. I was advised to check each socket I want to use to ensure there was cable in and out.

However I have checked ALL the upstairs sockets and each only has cable in, I assume from this they are not in a ring.

Can I still add a fused spur to a socket or do I need to call in an electrician for further checks?

 

[Rusty2]

Hi - sounds strange set up, but if not on a ring main then could be either a) all radials coming from fuse box (unlikely if all in same room), or b) each one is a spur from somewhere else (again, doesn't sound likely).

If they turn out to be radials from the main fuse box, then I believe you could safely run a fused spur from one as a radial can have more than one socket running on its length, rather like lighting.

I am not a qualified lecy so best to check this advice with someone qualified, but hope it helps.

 

[ianjlotus]

Thanks for that. Yep, I agree it is a strange one. I can't figure out why all upstairs sockets are one cable fittings. I lifted a loose floorboard on a socket I want to add a spur to. Underneath it was just a supply cable into a junction box, then to the socket.

I'm tempted to treat as a radial and add the fused spur anyway - but is this to risky? The reason I'm tempted is because all the house was rewired about 8 years back and I'm assuming it will be safe to add the spur.

Any pro thoughts before I go ahead please.

 

[breezer]

I'm assuming it will be safe to add the spur.

Any pro thoughts before I go ahead please.

never assume anything