Adding more wall sockets???

LazySamaritan

Our box room bask e double wall socket. I want to add three more doubles to the room.

I know how to add the wires for the new sockets to the original cable but for that many new sockets should I run them Straight to the fuse box? Or does it make no difference?

advise_needed

LazySamaritan wrote: »

Our box room bask e double wall socket. I want to add three more doubles to the room.

I know how to add the wires for the new sockets to the original cable but for that many new sockets should I run them Straight to the fuse box? Or does it make no difference?

do you know how many other sockets are on the same radial? if its only a few then and if you had access to the older smaller cpc t+e then its probally not an issue. but to be honest id get a rec in and get whatever you want wherever you want it.

2011

Normally 10 twin socket outlets can be installed on a radial socket circuit that serves no more than two rooms and a hall or landing. However I would agree with the above that the questions asked strongly suggest that it would be best to engage with a professional.

LazySamaritan

advise_needed wrote: »

do you know how many other sockets are on the same radial? if its only a few then and if you had access to the older smaller cpc t+e then its probally not an issue. but to be honest id get a rec in and get whatever you want wherever you want it.

Thanks for responding so early.

My skill and knowledge extend to being able to wire a socket and light switch and I could split the original wiring if necessary. Anything else I would have learned from my father and I try to forgetful all that since I discovered he was rung below being a cowboy.

I don’t think I’ve heard of a radial before. Is it a point at which the wiring for upstairs sockets would meet be one cable to the fusebox?

There are six double sockets and one single upstairs.

To avoid complications with someone I live with, I was going to just use extensions leads but they are untidy and I don’t know if it is safe to run so many devices and appliances from one socket. I was hoping that if I have to get in an electrician that I could wires under the floor myself so that the guy could be in and out quick but I want to put ethernet in the room do if floorboards are coming up anyway I thought look into whet better - more sockets or just extension leads

LazySamaritan

2011 wrote: »

Normally 10 twin socket outlets can be installed on a radial socket circuit that serves no more than two rooms and a hall or landing. However I would agree with the above that the questions asked strongly suggest that it would be best to engage with a professional.

I am very well able to admit when something is beyond me and between the posts from you guys and typing up my own it is clear this is one of those things. ;p

As I said though there are complications with getting an electrician in.

So is there a limit to how much I could put on the one double socket in the room via extension leads?

There would be a 4K TV, an AppleTV, an xBox or PlayStation and I’m considering getting a new iMac soon.

I found a website a few weeks ago that allows you to test what you can use on one socket. It allowed all those devices above and they barely took power but I added a kettle and it went beyond what what it claimed was safe.

2011

LazySamaritan wrote: »

As I said though there are complications with getting an electrician in.

Yup, I know.

So is there a limit to how much I could put on the one double socket in the room via extension leads?

Extension leads should only be used as a very short term solution. It is unwise to use them for extended periods of time regardless of how hard it is to get electrical work done properly.

There would be a 4K TV, an AppleTV, an xBox or PlayStation and I’m considering getting a new iMac soon.

All quite small loads.

LazySamaritan

2011 wrote: »

Yup, I know.



Extension leads should only be used as a very short term solution. It is unwise to use them for extended periods of time regardless of how hard it is to get electrical work done properly.



All quite small loads.

I did not know that about extension leads. So not good long term even for TV, TV box, DVD player, etc ?

It seems more sockets are required than I thought?

I would still like to have the cables under the floor to it easier and quicker when an electrician. Should I pull up a few floor boards and follow the wires until they meet?

Also, we have a double switch at the bottom of the stairs that turns on the landing and hall lights but just one switch at the top of the stairs for the landing light. Another needs to be put for the downstairs hall light.

Would this require a few holes in the walls to put new wires in? Or can a second switch be connected to the existing wires? Or do electricians have ways gadgets of adding new wires with out needing to knock holes?

Car99

Is this your house?

aido79

LazySamaritan wrote: »

I would still like to have the cables under the floor to it easier and quicker when an electrician. Should I pull up a few floor boards and follow the wires until they meet?

Why do you think there are wires for the sockets under the floorboards? It would be an usual way for them to be wired. They generally come down the wall to the socket. I wouldn't go lifting floorboards before getting an electrician to come and have a look at it.

LazySamaritan wrote: »

Also, we have a double switch at the bottom of the stairs that turns on the landing and hall lights but just one switch at the top of the stairs for the landing light. Another needs to be put for the downstairs hall light.

Would this require a few holes in the walls to put new wires in? Or can a second switch be connected to the existing wires? Or do electricians have ways gadgets of adding new wires with out needing to knock holes?

No there are no gadgets for adding new wires. You will need to get a wire from the light to the switch and another wire between the 2 switches. It's most likely more hassle than it's worth.

LazySamaritan

aido79 wrote: »

Why do you think there are wires for the sockets under the floorboards? It would be an usual way for them to be wired. They generally come down the wall to the socket. I wouldn't go lifting floorboards before getting an electrician to come and have a look at it.

I have memories of my father putting cables and wires under floorboards. It is just one if he things did different to everyone else I suppose.

Okay so I’ll scrub that from my list of things to do.

aido79 wrote: »

No there are no gadgets for adding new wires. You will need to get a wire from the light to the switch and another wire between the 2 switches. It's most likely more hassle than it's worth.

It is required for safety reasons. So it will be household discussion.

LazySamaritan

Car99 wrote: »

Is this your house?

Why do you ask?

aido79

LazySamaritan wrote: »

Why do you ask?

Probably because the tone of some of what you say makes you sound like you may not be the homeowner.

LazySamaritan

advise_needed wrote: »

do you know how many other sockets are on the same radial? if its only a few then and if you had access to the older smaller cpc t+e then its probally not an issue. but to be honest id get a rec in and get whatever you want wherever you want it.

I didn’t fully take this in earlier as I had something else on my mind and thought you had said splitting from the existing socket is not an option.

However you are saying that once the electrician has look splitting from the wires already there may be option?

LazySamaritan

aido79 wrote: »

Probably because the tone of some of what you say makes you sound like you may not be the homeowner.

You and the others who have been helpful didn’t ask. So I don’t understand why the question was asked?

aido79

LazySamaritan wrote: »

You and the others who have been helpful didn’t ask. So I don’t understand why the question was asked?

This is the most important piece of advice I have given so far. If you are a tenant do not attempt to do any of this work either yourself or with the help of an electrician without getting permission from your landlord. Otherwise you may be looking for a new place to live.

LazySamaritan

aido79 wrote: »

This is the most important piece of advice I have given so far. If you are a tenant do not attempt to do any of this work either yourself or with the help of an electrician without getting permission from your landlord. Otherwise you may be looking for a new place to live.

That is not the situation. The complication is something else - I only mentioned it in regards to why I didn’t just get someone in. What it is does not matter because it doesn’t help answer my questions.

LazySamaritan

aido79 wrote: »

This is the most important piece of advice I have given so far. If you are a tenant do not attempt to do any of this work either yourself or with the help of an electrician without getting permission from your landlord. Otherwise you may be looking for a new place to live.

However thank you for offering that advice.

aido79

LazySamaritan wrote: »

However thank you for offering that advice.

You're welcome. Hopefully an electrician can help you get what you need done.

LazySamaritan

2011 wrote: »

Extension leads should only be used as a very short term solution. It is unwise to use them for extended periods of time regardless of how hard it is to get electrical work done properly.

I typed this next question earlier but seem to have forgot to post it.

My mother has a double wall socket by her television. One of them is occupied by the the Eir homeplug (and this the the Eir box). The TV, AppleTV and DVD player aee on an extension lead going to he other socket.

It has been that way for years and no problems that I know of but since it is not a good idea then there should be a 4 gang socket there (DVD player is rarely used).

Is that just a simple matter of swapping in a new 4 gang socket to the existing wires or does new cable need to be put in?

2011

Apologies, I worded my earlier response poorly.

A plug board with a short lead is not so much of an issue particularly if the lead itself is not subjected to wear and tear an the electrical loads are small. Problems can occur when a lead is strung across a room, hidden under carpets and not provided with mechanical protection when it is needed. Also this can become a fire hazard when extension leads are used in a way that causes socket outlets to be overloaded.

Wiring and the use of electrical devices should never be considered safe or fit for purpose on the basis that someone else "has been that way for years and no problems that I know of". This may be one individual that was lucky. Perhaps it is only 1 in 100 that have an issue with this approach, do you want to take that risk?

LazySamaritan

2011 wrote: »

AWiring and the use of electrical devices should never be considered safe or fit for purpose on the basis that someone else "has been that way for years and no problems that I know of". This may be one individual that was lucky. Perhaps it is only 1 in 100 that have an issue with this approach, do you want to take that risk?

You seem to have misunderstood because it looks you think I’m trying argue about the safety of it?

That was not what I meant.
.
I said that it has “been that way for years” (to reiterate the fact that I was ignorant of the danger) followed by “but since it is not a good idea” (that even though nothing has happened up to now that I believe you and it needs to get fixed).

So no I don’t want to risk it at all

I just wanted to know if the current double socket can just be swapped for a 4 gang with the existing wires?

I had being meaning to suggest to my Mam about putting the TV on the wall and getting rid of the cabinet. This would require the socket to be moved so the plugs are not a mess to look at. If it is a simple matter of swapping in a 4 gang I can do that today myself and move it to a better spot if there is sufficient cable for that. If a new 4 gang requires extra wires anyway I can try get an electrician to call around today rather than wait.

2011

LazySamaritan wrote: »

You seem to have misunderstood because it looks you think I’m trying argue about the safety of it?

I was just trying to point out that just because something has an inherent risk does not mean it will necessarily result in catastrophe.

My intention was not to argue with you. I my main aim was to clarify my earlier post that was lacking.

I just wanted to know if the current double socket can just be swapped for a 4 gang with the existing wires?

Sometimes it can be, this depends on a number of factors such as the number of points on the circuit and the loading on the circuit. It’s difficult to provide a definitive answer without seeing it.

LazySamaritan

2011 wrote: »

I was just trying to point out that just because something has an inherent risk does not mean it will necessarily result in catastrophe.

My intention was not to argue with you. I my main aim was to clarify my earlier post that was lacking.




Sometimes it can be, this depends on a number of factors such as the number of points on the circuit and the loading on the circuit. It’s difficult to provide a definitive answer without seeing it.

No one is arguing so that is all good.

I’ll get an electrician in for this so.

For my own education how would I find out the number of points and load on a circuit?

advise_needed

LazySamaritan wrote: »

No one is arguing so that is all good.

I’ll get an electrician in for this so.

For my own education how would I find out the number of points and load on a circuit?

https://www.digitalrebellion.com/webapps/powercalcp

you can use this to find the overall load

2011

LazySamaritan wrote: »

For my own education how would I find out the number of points

Turn off all other circuits and count what still works.

and load on a circuit?

Add the loads together. Each device will have the load size written on it. Or turn on all loads and measure the current.

LazySamaritan

advise_needed wrote: »

https://www.digitalrebellion.com/webapps/powercalcp

you can use this to find the overall load

I get a 404 not found.

I’ll try from my computer later.

advise_needed

LazySamaritan wrote: »

I get a 404 not found.

I’ll try from my computer later.

https://www.digitalrebellion.com/webapps/powercalc

appologies my mistake

LazySamaritan

advise_needed wrote: »

https://www.digitalrebellion.com/webapps/powercalc

appologies my mistake

Thank you.