Thanks for explaining, that sounds straight forward. I always wondered how they were used like that.
Took double socket off wall and discovered 3x cables
- Thread starter TheJay
- Start date
Sponsored Links
Before it's too late, the cables shown in the new socket on the left look very short, you need another two inches.
Hey spark, it's okay. I have loads of extra length on the right side of the photo. Thanks for making sure that was clear.
This looks easy, is it really as simple as that? I missed this diagram before.
Sponsored Links
Yes, but it would look more complicated with all three lots of wires.
Not to mention the actual wires will not be nice curves and straight lines.
Not to mention the actual wires will not be nice curves and straight lines.
You are right, it does look way worse with all the cables. You made me laugh about the curves and straight lines.
A tip - if you haven't already done it.
When all the wires are disconnected pull them straight out towards you straightened and untangled.
Then connect all the earth wires first nice and neatly, routing them as much as possible together, then push them to the back of the box, keeping them away from where the screws will go, allowing for the fact that the socket has to squash some of them a bit when positioned.
Then do the same with the neutrals, and then the Lives.
When all the wires are disconnected pull them straight out towards you straightened and untangled.
Then connect all the earth wires first nice and neatly, routing them as much as possible together, then push them to the back of the box, keeping them away from where the screws will go, allowing for the fact that the socket has to squash some of them a bit when positioned.
Then do the same with the neutrals, and then the Lives.
Last edited:
Thank you, I haven't done it yet and that is useful advice.
I added "keeping them away from where the screws will go". 
I added "keeping them away from where the screws will go".
Believe me, I've learned my lesson about wires and screws after tightening the faceplate on a socket before and hearing a bang!
Hello there, I think I sussed it out.
It's annoying how they were buried just under the surface of the plaster and to remove the backbox I had to pull the cables free from the wall.
All sockets working except the conservatory and socket wired into what must be the spur circuitry?
It's annoying how they were buried just under the surface of the plaster and to remove the backbox I had to pull the cables free from the wall.
All sockets working except the conservatory and socket wired into what must be the spur circuitry?
Turns out the original backbox was really deep so there's at least a 2cm gap between the new backbox and the plaster.
Looking good.
I assume you have proved the 2 cables in the socket are the ring and it looks like one runs off to the left.
The joists run left to right.
Question:will that cable lift out through the gap and will it reach the other socket? If it will then you can do away with one of the horizontal cables and the connectors in the back of the socket. It will mean another vertical chase below the new socket but it will tidy the wiring:
Even better if one of the spurs will move too:
I assume you have proved the 2 cables in the socket are the ring and it looks like one runs off to the left.
The joists run left to right.
Question:will that cable lift out through the gap and will it reach the other socket? If it will then you can do away with one of the horizontal cables and the connectors in the back of the socket. It will mean another vertical chase below the new socket but it will tidy the wiring:
Even better if one of the spurs will move too:
I don't think the wires in the socket are the ring, I think it's the other two cables.
The socket is dead at the moment.
I checked with the multimeter first and wasn't getting equal readings for all cables when fuses switched off.
I think the cables I have fed through the backbox are the ring as everything is getting power everywhere else.
I can't lift the floorboards and there is only slack on the left cable. The rest are tight.
I'm almost ready to fix the wiring but still a little unclear on this because Wacos only have a maximum of four holes and I'm now trying to introduce two more cables.
The socket is dead at the moment.
I checked with the multimeter first and wasn't getting equal readings for all cables when fuses switched off.
I think the cables I have fed through the backbox are the ring as everything is getting power everywhere else.
I can't lift the floorboards and there is only slack on the left cable. The rest are tight.
I'm almost ready to fix the wiring but still a little unclear on this because Wacos only have a maximum of four holes and I'm now trying to introduce two more cables.
You do have 2 spurs so the final arrangement can very well be like this with 4 wire in each wago.
Just to confirm, if I am looping, it won't be wired like this will it? This to me implies two spurs (I am not very good at reading wiring diagrams).
Going back to EFLs simplified diagram showing only live wires [red and brown] there will be 4 wires in the wago, however if it's more convenient it could be done with only 3 or 2 wires:
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
