Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Quick Electrical Question - 1.5mm T&E cable socket spur- do I need a fuse?

  • 30-06-2020 06:28PM
    #1
    frankled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 373 ✭✭


    Hoping somebody can help me. I recently ran a spur from a main power socket upstairs in my house. This spur feeds a socket in the attic (unused, just fixed it up there whilst I was doing the job) and a socket for a TV mounted high on a bedroom wall.

    I've recently realised that I used 1.5mm twin and earth cable instead of 2.5mm. The spur leaves the socket vertically into the attic behind plasterboard. It feeds the non-used attic socket, a TV and a Roku streaming stick.

    I believe I should add a 13A fuse before the first socket to make this fully safe, is that correct? Replacing the cable with 2.5mm T&E is not an option anymore due to access.


Comments

  • #2
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,692 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Any cable needs to be protected by an overcurrent protective device (such as a fuse or MCB) that will disconnect it before the the current reaches a level that the causes damage. Most likely your socket circuit is protected by an MCB rated at 20 amp or more. This is beyond what a 1.5 mm sq. cable is rated for. As such it would be safer to fuse it down to 13A or less. Wiring any socket in 1.5 mm sq. cable even when protected by a fuse like this is considered bad practice but it would be significantly better than leaving as is.


  • #3
    frankled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 373 ✭✭frankled


    2011 wrote: »
    Any cable needs to be protected by an overcurrent protective device (such as a fuse or MCB) that will disconnect it before the the current reaches a level that the causes damage. Most likely your socket circuit is protected by an MCB rated at 20 amp or more. This is beyond what a 1.5 mm sq. cable is rated for. As such it would be safer to fuse it down to 13A or less. Wiring any socket in 1.5 mm sq. cable even when protected by a fuse like this is considered bad practice but it would be significantly better than leaving as is.

    Perfect thanks for that. I'm glad I copped it.


  • #4
    frankled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 373 ✭✭frankled


    2011 wrote: »
    Any cable needs to be protected by an overcurrent protective device (such as a fuse or MCB) that will disconnect it before the the current reaches a level that the causes damage. Most likely your socket circuit is protected by an MCB rated at 20 amp or more. This is beyond what a 1.5 mm sq. cable is rated for. As such it would be safer to fuse it down to 13A or less. Wiring any socket in 1.5 mm sq. cable even when protected by a fuse like this is considered bad practice but it would be significantly better than leaving as is.

    To give you an update, I wasted both of our time as it is actually 2.5mm sq. cable I used after all! Apologies and thanks again.


Advertisement