Replacing spur one gang socket for two gang

[davesparks]

The cable from the ring main goes to a fused switch. From the switch there is a cable out to the socket and a cable out to the ceiling light in the cupboard. The cables terminate at these loads and do not go elsewhere.

How many cables are there coming in to the switch fuse?

 

[Pete999]

How many cables are there coming in to the switch fuse?

2 RFC and 1lighting cables by the description???? 1 from the RFC 1 to the new socket and 1 to the light??

 

[davesparks]

2 RFC and 1lighting cables by the description???? 1 from the RFC 1 to the new socket and 1 to the light??

It's not totally clear to me from the description, obviously if it is as you describe then the SFCU is already on a spur.

 

[u0362565]

There are 3 cables to the fused switch only, supply from RFC (assumed). One cable out to light and one to the socket. From what I have read tonight you should either have a junction box off the RFC to a 13A fused spur or junction box to unfused spur with switching and local protection (sounds like my fused switch) so perhaps what I have is the latter.

 

[davesparks]

There are 3 cables to the fused switch only, supply from RFC (assumed). One cable out to light and one to the socket. From what I have read tonight you should either have a junction box off the RFC to a 13A fused spur or junction box to unfused spur with switching and local protection (sounds like my fused switch) so perhaps what I have is the latter.

I don't know where you have read that, but it is not an accurate representation of the regulations.
An unfused spur is a single cable connected to a ring circuit at an accessory or a junction box, this is permitted to feed one, and only one, point. That point can be a single socket twin socket (but not two singles), fused connection unit (FCU) or switched fused connection unit (SFCU)
A fused spur is connected to a ring circuit via an FCU or SFCU, this can supply as many points as you like as long as the cables are suitably sized etc etc.

What you have described is an unused spur feeding two points, the first point is an SFCU and the second point is the socket you wish to change. This is not permitted by the regulations.

Have you confirmed that the circuit is in fact a ring circuit? What is the rating of the circuit breaker which feed it?

 

[Grant1987]

I don't know where you have read that, but it is not an accurate representation of the regulations.
An unfused spur is a single cable connected to a ring circuit at an accessory or a junction box, this is permitted to feed one, and only one, point. That point can be a single socket twin socket (but not two singles), fused connection unit (FCU) or switched fused connection unit (SFCU)
A fused spur is connected to a ring circuit via an FCU or SFCU, this can supply as many points as you like as long as the cables are suitably sized etc etc.

What you have described is an unused spur feeding two points, the first point is an SFCU and the second point is the socket you wish to change. This is not permitted by the regulations.

Have you confirmed that the circuit is in fact a ring circuit? What is the rating of the circuit breaker which feed it?

Sounds a bit messed up call a sparky in mate at least you know it’s all safe and sound then ?

 

[u0362565]

Its on a 32A MCB and is labelled "ring main" on the CU. The SFCU has a 13A fuse. So what they should have done in this case is connect the SFCU directly into the ring then attach 2 spur cables off of this, one to the light and one to the socket? I don't know why they didn't put the light into the lighting circuit to be honest.

Why have they used the SFCU in this way? I guess because it allows connection to two points and some protection via the fuse? Does the fuse protect both connections (light+socket)?

The single socket is attached to a freezer so that's draws current much of the time, the light has a 14W bulb and is only only for short periods while accessing the freezer. How dangerous is this? It certainly sounds like I shouldn't change the single socket for a double then as that will put the spur under more load potentially.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Toneyz]

Was it not up to the end of the 15th that you could have a spur off a spur?

 

[davesparks]

Was it not up to the end of the 15th that you could have a spur off a spur?

At one time it was permitted to have two sockets on an unfused spur, this could be either one twin socket or two single sockets.

 

[u0362565]

So it proably meets the old regs then, I just won't make any further changes

 

[Pete999]

Its on a 32A MCB and is labelled "ring main" on the CU. The SFCU has a 13A fuse. So what they should have done in this case is connect the SFCU directly into the ring then attach 2 spur cables off of this, one to the light and one to the socket? I don't know why they didn't put the light into the lighting circuit to be honest.

Why have they used the SFCU in this way? I guess because it allows connection to two points and some protection via the fuse? Does the fuse protect both connections (light+socket)?

The single socket is attached to a freezer so that's draws current much of the time, the light has a 14W bulb and is only only for short periods while accessing the freezer. How dangerous is this? It certainly sounds like I shouldn't change the single socket for a double then as that will put the spur under more load potentially.

Thanks for the explanation.

What a lighting point and a 13 Amp twin socket all protected by the same fuse in an FCU?

 

[u0362565]

I'm just asking if what is there now is safe i.e. the light and the single socket off of the SFCU? Seeing as by the old regs you could have 2 singles or one double socket. Ok I have a single and a light but that would draw less current than having two sockets in use. As this doesn't meet the 18 regs I won't replace the single socket for a double as seems it won't be up to standard. What was there before is what it is, I'm not about to go around updating any electrical issue that doesn't meet the 18th as its not practical.

 

[Toneyz]

As this existing socket is in the understairs cupboard with a freezer plugged in what do you intend to plug in it? as if it is for anything outside of this cupboard you will have to have the door open.

 

[u0362565]

I could have the door closed as the average cable will fit under the door. Anyway it's not a big deal I just initially thought it was a straightforward job that wouldn't cost much to do compared extending the circuit and having a socket put in the hall. Given what's been said will leave alone.

 

[Gnasher]

Additionally, although not notifiable all work/modifications should be covered by a test certificate of some kind. In this example a MNW cert.