electricity

[engineer one]

ok, not sure if this is the right place to post,
but.

after the change of wiring rules in february, i was wondering if there
are any simple ways other than trailing wire 4 ways to improve the placement of sockets around ones flat/ home.

at the moment i have a fair amount of trunking in one room, but want
to try another way.

i have heard of a system that wickes sell, but not seen it, and don't know anyone who has used it.

so anyone got any ideas???

i have three main sockets in the room, obviously i can use socket extenders, but need even more sockets, so how do i go from there?

is there anything better than normal tatty trunking as a means of distributing electric cables that means i do not have to get an electrical
sign off???
paul :wink:

 

[PowerTool]

Under Part P,you can still add spurs to an existing circuit without need to notify anyone or have it signed off as long as it is not in a "wet area" (kitchen/bathroom/outside);it is done in suitable materials;it does not take the existing circuit over its design limitations.

If in doubt,check the ODPM website - but Part P doesn't stop people doing minor works (It doesn't stop people doing major works either - it just introduces the need to have them checked by somebody with a recognised qualification)

Andrew

 

[PowerTool]

P.S. - rules for spurs :-

1)Number of spurs cannot exceed number of sockets on a circuit
2)No more than one spur can be taken from one socket (if they are unfused)

Have seen the Wickes system in the catalogue - it's very much like plug-together trunking,so wouldn't look that much better.

Andrew

 

[martyn2]

I use the system that wicks sell and found it to good, each socket has a isolation switch and it will go round corners and along the walls it runs off a excising plug socket, as long as you don't try run every thing at the same time it works fine

Martyn

 

[RogerS]

(It doesn't stop people doing major works either - it just introduces the need to have them checked by somebody with a recognised qualification)

Andrew

Hi Andrew..my reading of the regs is that you still have to notify Building Control before you start the work to be legal....despite it being checked/passed at a later date by a competent person.

 

[PowerTool]

That's my understanding of the regs as well,Roger - either notify Building Control,do the work yourself,and have them check and certify or use an electrician who is able to do the work,and self-certify.

Just trying to make the point that not all electrical work is covered by Part P - it is still allowed to do certain minor works without having to hire a qualified electrician as long as you are confident/competent

However,electricity should always be treated with respect - if in any doubt,consult a professional.

Andrew

 

[engineer one]

ok so how do i connect my computer if it only one spur per socket???

cpu/hard drive, monitor, printer, scanner, router, maybe speakers,
at the moment, i use a belkin 8 way, so is that right or wrong????

if i do not hard wire a spur to a socket, do i still need a leckie???

think this law is over kill (sorry) but you know what i mean, almost
every home in london has more trailing sockets than sockets, how
can that be safer???

mind you i can remember when we used to run everything off the
central ceiling rose with the light bulb, now that was as scary as a
russian tv. :lol: :lol: :lol: y ou know the ones that blow up whilst you
are watching.


so what are the sensible solutions to a low budget way to extend ones
electrical capacity, since not every machine will be on at the same time.

paul :wink:

 

[PowerTool]

Trailing sockets (such as your current 8-way) are perfectly acceptable,as they are individually fused - i.e. the 13A fuse in the plug limits what you can use on it at any one time.
Adding a spur would just enable you to have more choice where you plug them in to - your existing sockets may not be in the most convenient place for what you use them for.

And yes,I remember when things were powered from a switched two-way adapter plugged into the light fitting as well

Andrew

 

[OLD]

I have done a installation as a non competent person so i had to follow section p to the letter and all the information 'power tool'has posted is absolutely correct but to do it your self you need to understand what spurs are and how to run cables especially if they are plastered in so in effect you have to be competent but with out a certificate but there is lots of info on the web.
One of the principals of p is that a wire never carrys a current to great for it adding spurs does not break this principal hence its a ok diy but not in a wet or external area as extra safety components are required

 

[Stoday]

ok so how do i connect my computer if it only one spur per socket???

cpu/hard drive, monitor, printer, scanner, router, maybe speakers,

Connect to the existing ring circuit at a socket using a fused connector unit (fused at 13A). This can feed the set of sockets you want for the low current appliances. All can be connected with 2.5mm cable plastered in the wall.

 

[RogerS]

Connect to the existing ring circuit at a socket using a fused connector unit (fused at 13A). This can feed the set of sockets you want for the low current appliances. All can be connected with 2.5mm cable plastered in the wall.

Minor point but a fused spur to feed an additional socket is not mandatory.

This page might be useful http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/spursocket.htm

and confirms Andrews advice of one spur per outlet and yet this page http://www.diydata.com/planning/ring_main/ring_main.htm suggests that you can have two spurs per outlet. Mmmmm?

The spur can be a double socket.