Re routing wires in a ring main

[DeadBeat]

I have a double socket in the bedroom, it's on a ring with two wires feeding into it, no spurs etc on this circuit it's all new.

The wires run through a hole in the joist but the hole and wires will be in the way of some work I'm doing going forward. I need to move them about 2 feet to the left, there is enough slack in the cable, the problem is the cables are plastered over and can't be removed.

Assuming I turn of the master and probably all the other switches in the fuse box, can I cut both wires, re route them and join them together with connector blocks rated for 32 amps? Then wrap the join with insulation tape, or would this be considered bad practice? Two identical joins with connector blocks, or should I be using a distribution box to protect the joins? Thanks

 

[Spark123]

The connector block idea is a no go.
If you want to join cables under the floorboards then you need maintenance free junction boxes.

 

[flameport]

the problem is the cables are plastered over and can't be removed.

Plaster can easily be removed and replaced.
If the cables are long enough, far better to remove them from the plaster and relocate rather than have joints in the cable.

 

[sparkwright]

Hopefully the cables are in conduit and can be removed with little damage. This is why I always mention conduit and capping.

 

[DeadBeat]

unfortunately no conduit, would have been nice but it wasnt installed. think the mrs might murder me if i pull the wall out now its been painted finally.

A maintenance free junction box it is, am I correct in thinking its 32A i need?

 

[sparkwright]

If you don't want damage, junction boxes are the way to go.

The best way is to use two 30/32 amp Ashley/Hager maintenance free free junction boxes.

You need to use the same size cable too. Typically this would be 2.5 mm2 T+E. Check it is the same size (occasionally but not often larger 4 mm2 can be used.

 

[winston1]

think the mrs might murder me if i pull the wall out now its been painted finally.

No she won't. She'll get over it once she is told it is the safest way.

 

[sparkwright]

Yes, but any pro will tell you sometimes part of the job is finding a way to do something without making a load of damage.

If you do use junction boxes, be certain everything is done right as these will become fairly inaccessible. Be sure not to damage the cables when stripping them. Maintenance free juncton bxes are fairly foolproof, but be certain the wires are inserted in the terminals properly.