UK Running a couple new sockets from mains

Scott smit · Dec 4, 2022

Hi everyone

Just looking for a little advise on if my plan to run this spur is okay I’ve drawn a diagram in hopes to make my expiation simpler

The MS square is the main socket which has not been tampered with

The F is a 13 amp fuse spur

And the S are the additional sockets which I plan to add in the exact same wiring example

I’m using 2.5mm twin core and earth cable

Edit: two of them will be single sockets the other will be a double socket

[ElectriciansForums.net] Running a couple new sockets from mains

DPG · Dec 4, 2022

Is the existing socket definitely on a ring circuit?

nicebutdim · Dec 4, 2022

Out of interest, does the drawing show intended cable routes and, if so, will cables be in a wall or on its surface?

Scott smit · Dec 4, 2022

DPG said:
Is the existing socket definitely on a ring circuit?

Yes definitely a ring circuit there’s two wires that go into the main socket and dose appear to have any previous tampering with

nicebutdim said:
Out of interest, does the drawing show intended cable routes and, if so, will cables be in a wall or on its surface?

The cables will be router under the floor and some behind walls but yes the wiring diagram is roughly how I intended to do it

DPG · Dec 4, 2022

Scott smit said:
Yes definitely a ring circuit there’s two wires that go into the main socket and dose appear to have any previous tampering with

The cables will be router under the floor and some behind walls but yes the wiring diagram is roughly how I intended to do it

You can't run buried cables diagonally. Have a Google of prescribed zones.

The fact that it has two wires does not necessarily mean it is on a ring. Although it could well do.

Scott smit · Dec 4, 2022

DPG said:
You can't run buried cables diagonally. Have a Google of prescribed zones.

The fact that it has two wires does not necessarily mean it is on a ring. Although it could well do.

Pretty confident that the socket is connect to ring main I can add some photos if it would help as for the diagonal cable I've already got a channel for where the cable will go

nicebutdim · Dec 4, 2022

Scott smit said:
Pretty confident that the socket is connect to ring main I can add some photos if it would help as for the diagonal cable I've already got a channel for where the cable will go

You asked if your plan was okay. If it involves running cables diagonally in a wall, then it is not okay.

Bear in mind that this arrangement will be limited to a combined load of 13A between all of the new sockets.

James · Dec 4, 2022

If the Chanel is diagonal across the wall, I would not use it.

idealy, you would extend the ring instead of adding a fused spur and a couple of sockets from there.

Scott smit · Dec 4, 2022

nicebutdim said:
You asked if your plan was okay. If it involves running cables diagonally in a wall, then it is not okay.

Bear in mind that this arrangement will be limited to a combined load of 13A between all of the new sockets.

James said:
If the Chanel is diagonal across the wall, I would not use it.

idealy, you would extend the ring instead of adding a fused spur and a couple of sockets from there.

Sorry don't think I explained it properly the straight wires there run through the walls the digagonal cables are under the floor

brianmoooore · Dec 4, 2022

Two cables into a socket is what I would expect to find on both a RFC and a radial circuit, so that means nothing. The rating of the protective device (fuse, MCB or RCBO) will be a better clue.

Scott smit · Dec 4, 2022

Not sure if this will help but here are photos from the main socket

brianmoooore · Dec 4, 2022

brianmoooore said:
Two cables into a socket is what I would expect to find on both a RFC and a radial circuit, so that means nothing. The rating of the protective device (fuse, MCB or RCBO) will be a better clue.

One cable would indicate a spur from a RFC or the end of a radial circuit. Two indicate nothing other than it is not either of these.

Scott smit · Dec 5, 2022

nicebutdim said:
You asked if your plan was okay. If it involves running cables diagonally in a wall, then it is not okay.

Bear in mind that this arrangement will be limited to a combined load of 13A between all of the new sockets.

Can you explain the last bit to me like I’m an idiot please lol

newfutile · Dec 5, 2022

2 cables does not ensure its a proper complete ring final circuit.
Someone would need to securely isolate the circuit then measure end to end resistance to ensure this is a ring.

Spoon · Dec 5, 2022

Scott smit said:
Can you explain the last bit to me like I’m an idiot please lol

@nicebutdim was just making you aware that the 3 extra sockets you are adding can only handle 13A in total.
You have added a 13A fused spur at the beginning so the fuse will blow if you add large current drawing items to the 3 extra sockets.

Scott smit · Dec 5, 2022

Spoon said:
@nicebutdim was just making you aware that the 3 extra sockets you are adding can only handle 13A in total.
You have added a 13A fused spur at the beginning so the fuse will blow if you add large current drawing items to the 3 extra sockets.

Gotcha I don’t think what I plan to add onto the sockets will exceed that I only plan to use the sockets for a small lamp a little plug-in speaker and a small mini fridge

Scott smit · Dec 5, 2022

Is there an issue with me running from one socket to the next sockets or is that acceptable?

brianmoooore · Dec 5, 2022

This is the normal way to do it, so, as said above two cables to a socket does not necessarily indicate a RFC.

Scott smit · Dec 5, 2022

brianmoooore said:
This is the normal way to do it, so, as said above two cables to a socket does not necessarily indicate a RFC.

From what I can tell and know about the house the socket I’m gonna run it from hasn’t ever been messed around with and was installed when the house was built how else would I check to see if it is on the correct circuit?

brianmoooore · Dec 5, 2022

brianmoooore said:
The rating of the protective device (fuse, MCB or RCBO) will be a better clue.

SJD · Dec 5, 2022

Scott smit said:
Gotcha I don’t think what I plan to add onto the sockets will exceed that I only plan to use the sockets for a small lamp a little plug-in speaker and a small mini fridge

It doesn't matter what you plan to specifically power from the sockets now, someone could come along later and plug in multiple heaters, etc. You have to design the circuit to be compliant and not draw more current than the cable can handle. So if you are adding a spur and a second spur from a ring final circuit on a 32A MCB/RCBO, you need to fuse it down to 13A.

But, as Brian has said twice, what is the existing circuit breaker for the circuit? Is it 32A, or something less. For example, if only 16A, you no longer need to fuse it down.

Plus the new sockets must have RCD protection, I don't recall if this is mentioned already or not.

Scott smit · Dec 5, 2022

SJD said:
It doesn't matter what you plan to specifically power from the sockets now, someone could come along later and plug in multiple heaters, etc. You have to design the circuit to be compliant and not draw more current than the cable can handle. So if you are adding a spur and a second spur from a ring final circuit on a 32A MCB/RCBO, you need to fuse it down to 13A.

But, as Brian has said twice, what is the existing circuit breaker for the circuit? Is it 32A, or something less. For example, if only 16A, you no longer need to fuse it down.

Plus the new sockets must have RCD protection, I don't recall if this is mentioned already or not.

Okay so not sure if this helps? I’d assume since it’s an original socket it’s 32A I haven’t got anything to accurately test that tho

UK Running a couple new sockets from mains

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