Wiring 1 gang clad socket

jasiosnd1987 · 07-10-2022 9:09am #1

Hi guys, looking for an advice whether a single socket can be wired safely off an inside heating unit and a water pump. This is a pressurised water system. All I need is to plug a dyson charger there that's all.

meercat · 07-10-2022 9:26am

That’s a 32amp rcbo protected circuit

without knowing what cables are currently in place I’d say it’s unlikely without someone alteration

your sockets circuits should have 20amp protection mostly

iwillhtfu · 07-10-2022 9:34am

You would probably getting away with wiring a socket with built in RCBO. Wiring a single socket off of it will work and that dyson will draw a pittance but following the rule of law it's not recommended.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/british-general-900-series-13a-2-gang-sp-switched-passive-rcd-socket-white/3133j

10-10-20 · 07-10-2022 9:44am

Not sure about the zoning of that location either - doesn't appear to be a hot-press per-say, but I'd be putting any socket well away from the water pipes.

jasiosnd1987 · 07-10-2022 9:52am

It's just under the stairs

astrofool · 07-10-2022 9:58am

A socket like this might be more suitable, but I would engage with a RECI about it:

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/british-general-13a-2-gang-sp-switched-metal-clad-passive-rcd-switched-socket-with-white-inserts/4714P

I do like the freezer bag hanging from the water shut off lever :)

jasiosnd1987 · 07-10-2022 10:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119712117#Comment_119712117

Haha, we've just moved in recently to a new house and need to get some more storage sorted. Water lever shuts off up btw :) This is only a temp solution lol. I will contact my local electriction to get some advice on this. Thank you guys for quick replies!

Citizen Six · 07-10-2022 10:30am

From an aesthetic point of view, I'd rather use the same socket type as the spur, rather than a metal clad one. Is there a reason the trunking is so wide as well? You could shorten it, and fit the socket above the spur, if regs allow it.

jasiosnd1987 · 07-10-2022 11:15am

Not sure why. It was already wired liked that by electrician.

Citizen Six · 07-10-2022 11:51am

I just wasn't sure if there were more cables for some reason.

Antenna · 07-10-2022 6:28pm

There isn't much point in having the extra expense of an RCD socket, as you already have RCD protection at the very start of the circuit as per first photo.

If there is a RCD detected fault with something plugged in, both are likely to trip at the same time (or one trips just before the other would have) it isn't the case the one on the socket is going to trip first (provided they have the same characteristics)

If you wanted to power outdoor tools etc with an extension lead plugged in there and wanted to be extremely cautious of the Hager RCBO going faulty, maybe have a RCD socket as well as a backup, but Hager are surely reputable, I wouldn't be too worried, just test these with the test button at the recommended intervals . I have never heard of one of these Hager RCBOs/RCDs going faulty

Citizen Six · 07-10-2022 10:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119714624#Comment_119714624

Do you really need to be extremely cautious? As you said, you are already well protected with the RCBO. What's going to go wrong outside?

jasiosnd1987 · 08-10-2022 8:36am

Thanks guys for all the help. Just to recap I want to start ordering bits. I am thinking about 1 gang with usb to connect a smart hub in the future or some sort of raspberry pi if ever needed + gland for moisture protection. Tried to contact my local elecrtrician but haven't heard back yet. Kinda afraid it may be a too small job for them.

kirk. · 08-10-2022 11:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119714624#Comment_119714624

Bad practice to series 30mA RCDs , tripping the main one instead of the local one it's a lottery which one trips , Hager are a good brand anyhow and give little trouble

Assuming this isn't a hotpress ? main concern would be LI-Ion charging that there isn't clothes or similar over the vacuum while charging

meercat · 08-10-2022 1:00pm

There is a 32a rcbo protecting this circuit. It’s not permitted to put a radial socket onto this. Please consult your local rec.

Citizen Six · 08-10-2022 1:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119717315#Comment_119717315

Why is that? The socket isn't rated for 32a?

meercat · 08-10-2022 3:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119717354#Comment_119717354

No it’s the cables. A socket circuit is fed by 2.5mm cables (mostly,there are exceptions)

the circuit breaker is designed to protect the cables. A socket circuit wired in 2.5mm has a maximum rating of 20amp.

Citizen Six · 08-10-2022 7:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119717761#Comment_119717761

But would the 32A RCBO be used with a higher rated cable? 4mm was used for sockets a good while back, wasn't it? When insulation resistance tolerances were different, on longer runs? Could the 32amp RCBO here be used with a larger csa cable

meercat · 08-10-2022 7:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119718834#Comment_119718834

I don’t know what sized cables are used here

unless it’s a ring main

2.5 mm is used for socket circuits in domestic installations

Citizen Six · 08-10-2022 7:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119718883#Comment_119718883

So if it's on a 32a RCBO, there's a good chance it's wired in 4mm, which would be perfectly acceptable.

meercat · 08-10-2022 7:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119718906#Comment_119718906

We don’t know that, but my point is that he cannot add a new socket using using 2.5mm cable

jasiosnd1987 · 09-10-2022 3:03pm

Hi guys, I am no expert but the wire that's there already look to me like a 4mm2 one (I pulled PVC trunking part) and it seems to be the same size as the coooker/oven and bathroom mirror one. Again this as well may be 2.5mm2 as I said no expert. From majority of your post I may just leave it and not go ahead with this project. Dyson will be charger in different location.