Outdoor socket

[Macca65629]

Hi,
In my apartment I want to put an outdoor socket on the balcony. I am thinking of spurring of a socket that is directly behind it (indoor) which is in a ring circuit and is RCD protected at the consumer unit, my plan would be to drill directly out the back of of the indoor socket back box into the back off the new outdoor socket and putting in a small bit of conduit between them and wiring it in 2.5mm t&e? Is this acceptable? Would it be any beneficial if I get the outdoor socket with RCD protection built into it also?
Any advice greatly appreciated as iv worked mostly on big industrial jobs and only starting to do small domestic work now.

 

[Dave OCD]

That's exactly what I'd do, you can also put a switched,fused connection socket indoors if you want to be able to isolate the external socket from inside. But that isn't essential.
I'd just verify the earth loop impedance and test the RCD as well. It's not necessary to use further RCD protection within the new socket itself but you can if you want to.

 

[Macca65629]

That's exactly what I'd do, you can also put a switched,fused connection socket indoors if you want to be able to isolate the external socket from inside. But that isn't essential.
I'd just verify the earth loop impedance and test the RCD as well. It's not necessary to use further RCD protection within the new socket itself but you can if you want to.

Thanks Dave

 

[James]

Don’t use a socket with built in rcd.
When you press the test button (often required to turn it off)
It is likley to trip the rcd in the distribution board.

Every thing else sounds like a good plan.

 

[Pete999]

Hi,
In my apartment I want to put an outdoor socket on the balcony. I am thinking of spurring of a socket that is directly behind it (indoor) which is in a ring circuit and is RCD protected at the consumer unit, my plan would be to drill directly out the back of of the indoor socket back box into the back off the new outdoor socket and putting in a small bit of conduit between them and wiring it in 2.5mm t&e? Is this acceptable? Would it be any beneficial if I get the outdoor socket with RCD protection built into it also?
Any advice greatly appreciated as iv worked mostly on big industrial jobs and only starting to do small domestic work now.

Firstly I would make sure the socket you intend spurring from is NOT already a spur, a fused spur is not required if the circuit is as I described, i.e. not already a spur.
If the circuit you are spurring off already has RCD protection, then, built in socket RCD protection will NOT be required, as RCDs inline only cause problems, remember to carry out the appropriate testing after the installation, and issue a MNEW Certificate, along with notification.

 

[Dartlec]

Firstly I would make sure the socket you intend spurring from is NOT already a spur, a fused spur is not required if the circuit is as I described, i.e. not already a spur.
If the circuit you are spurring off already has RCD protection, then, built in socket RCD protection will NOT be required, as RCDs inline only cause problems, remember to carry out the appropriate testing after the installation, and issue a MNEW Certificate, along with notification.

Agree with all that, though not sure on notificiation requirements in Dublin? (Wouldn't be notifiable in England any more)

Only thing to add - make the hole from inside to outside at a slight angle down, so that any moisture that collects will run to outside, not back into the indoor socket (Most outdoor sockets have a small drain hole or place to create one.

 

[Simon47]

If you can, put a single box next to the socket you are spurring off from, and fit a double pole switch (or an FCU). That will allow you to turn off the power to the outside socket when it gets damp in it and starts tripping the house circuits. Then drill out the back of that box as you've described.
And contrary to what some people say, and instructions may tell you, put a small hole in the bottom of the outside socket so the water that will get in can drain out.