Attach 1 double socket to CU

[pckid57]

Hi, my Consumer Unit is in a cupboard in my hall. I would like to install 1 double socket only in this cupboard.

I was wondering if I could run the cable to feed this socket from an already occupied 16amp mcb or 32amp mcb from within my CU?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Hi, my Consumer Unit is in a cupboard in my hall. I would like to install 1 double socket only in this cupboard.

I was wondering if I could run the cable to feed this socket from an already occupied 16amp mcb or 32amp mcb from within my CU?

Technically you can nick a feed from an already in use mcb.
But if you have a spare slot then just whack in a new 16a mcb for the new plug socket

 

[pckid57]

Technically you can nick a feed from an already in use mcb.
But if you have a spare slot then just whack in a new 16a mcb for the new plug socket

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure if I have an empty slot yet. If not is it safe to "Nick a feed from an existing mcb"?

 

[Grant1987]

Hi, my Consumer Unit is in a cupboard in my hall. I would like to install 1 double socket only in this cupboard.

I was wondering if I could run the cable to feed this socket from an already occupied 16amp mcb or 32amp mcb from within my CU?

Hi, yes you can do that at the consumer unit aslong as you havnt already spured off from your consumer unit the regs say an unfused spur May be connected to the origin of the circuit at the distribution board

 

[Grant1987]

Hi, yes you can do that at the consumer unit aslong as you havnt already spured off from your consumer unit the regs say an unfused spur May be connected to the origin of the circuit at the distribution board

Or preferably just put it on its own circuit as dusty dazzler said

 

[pckid57]

Hi, yes you can do that at the consumer unit aslong as you havnt already spured off from your consumer unit the regs say an unfused spur May be connected to the origin of the circuit at the distribution board

So it's okay to run a 2.5mm twin & earth from the existing mcb straight to the new intended socket, which is about five feet away from the CU?

 

[westward10]

Put in a new protective device it would require notification to building control under Part P of the Building Regulations. Connected from the existing ring final circuit it does not, that's the way of it. Do you have rcd protection.

 

[Grant1987]

So it's okay to run a 2.5mm twin & earth from the existing mcb straight to the new intended socket, which is about five feet away from the CU?

Yes that’s fine mate providing it hasn’t already been spured off from the CU

 

[westward10]

Or preferably just put it on its own circuit as dusty dazzler said

See #7, this is poor advice.

 

[ipf]

Put in a new protective device it would require notification to building control under Part P of the Building Regulations. Connected from the existing ring final circuit it does not, that's the way of it. Do you have rcd protection.

…….and are you sure all is in order with the existing ring circuit, if there is one. A bit of testing wouldn't go amiss.

 

[pckid57]

Put in a new protective device it would require notification to building control under Part P of the Building Regulations. Connected from the existing ring final circuit it does not, that's the way of it. Do you have rcd protection.

Yes there is RCD protection. The new socket will only be used to charge s Dyson Hoover.

 

[westward10]

Put in a new protective device to a spare way requires notification to building control, this is a legal requirement. Some responses to this thread have not considered this.

 

[Grant1987]

See #7, this

Put in a new protective device to a spare way requires notification to building control, this is a legal requirement. Some responses to this thread have not considered this.

Hi, no I didn’t consider if it was going to be notified i assumed he was going to comply with regs and I’m new to forum and I can quickly see that people without relevant qualifications may just want to do DIY without it being properly tested and certified so my bad will make sure future responses are compliant

 

[pckid57]

I don't think there is a spare way in the CU. So I'm looking at easy and safe options.

 

[Grant1987]

I don't think there is a spare way in the CU. So I'm looking at easy and safe options.

If you are safe and qualified page 505 in regs book does state you can spur off at origin of circuit

 

[westward10]

An easy safe option is to get an electrician in. If the socket is local to the consumer unit an easy job and you should get certification.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

If the new socket is near the CU. Remove one of the legs of the ring from the CU MCB and put it in your new socket. Run a short length of 2.5 T & E from you new socket back to the CU MCB. Thus the new socket becomes part of the ring.

 

[Pete999]

Yes that’s fine mate providing it hasn’t already been spured off from the CU

Why is that a no no?

 

[Grant1987]

Why is that a no no?

You can only have 1 unfused spur from any point of circuit including consumer unit that’s the regs.

 

[SJD]

You can only have 1 unfused spur from any point of circuit including consumer unit that’s the regs.

Which regulation is that?

 

[Pete999]

You can only have 1 unfused spur from any point of circuit including consumer unit that’s the regs.

You can only have 1 unfused spur from any point of circuit including consumer unit that’s the regs.

I think what that reg means is that you can take an unfused spur from anywhere on the RFC, including at the CU, you are guilty of misinterpreting the Regulations Grant.

 

[pckid57]

Hey George Cooke, that sounds a good idea, it would obviously be good to add the new socket to the Ring, I'm still trying to visualise that setup in my head, the job is actually in my sister-in-laws house. That being the case; would I only need to remove the live from the mcb and put it in the new socket, leaving the neutral in the neutral bar? Then run a 2.5 t&e from the new socket, doubling the live with the live I've removed and put in the socket, and putting the new neutral and earth in the appropriate bars in the CU?

 

[westward10]

From what you are suggesting your sister-in-law should get an electrician in.

 

[pckid57]

Westward explain why, i was only trying to confirm what someone else suggested. You appear to be very negative, no pun intended.

 

[harryspadge]

Westward explain why, i was only trying to confirm what someone else suggested. You appear to be very negative, no pun intended.

From your reply to George Cooke it would indicate to me that you don't understand the basic principles of a ring circuit !

 

[pckid57]

Ok, I'm not an electrician. I'm looking for advice, I have a basic knowledge of Electrics, but believe with the correct advice I could do jobs like the one I'm asking about.

 

[westward10]

Westward explain why, i was only trying to confirm what someone else suggested. You appear to be very negative, no pun intended.

Whilst the forum doesn't mind giving advice to DIYers we do not extend that to step by step advice. From your posts this task is beyond your scope of knowledge. Leave it to a professional.

 

[harryspadge]

Ok, I'm not an electrician. I'm looking for advice, I have a basic knowledge of Electrics, but believe with the correct advice I could do jobs like the one I'm asking about.

I would suggest you take a look at a diagram or a ring circuit so you can fully understand how it works before attempting what you intend.
It's not easy giving advise to someone when it's not clear of there level of knowledge and undertsanding.
Sorry, not trying to be negative !

 

[harryspadge]

Whilst the forum doesn't mind giving advice to DIYers we do not extend that to step by step advice. From your posts this task is beyond your scope of knowledge. Leave it to a professional.

Yeah, sorry about that. My mistake !

 

[Grant1987]

Which regulation is that?

Appendix 15
Ring and radial final circuit arrangements
Regulation 433.1
Page 505 have a look at the diagram it illustrates all that you can do with regards to spuring off very good page to understand the dos and donts as I wasn’t too sure untill I seen that page.

 

[123]

Put in a new protective device it would require notification to building control under Part P of the Building Regulations. Connected from the existing ring final circuit it does not, that's the way of it. Do you have rcd protection.

OP is in Scotland, Part P Notification doesn't apply there

 

[tony clark]

to many google diyers out there thinking they know it all just by asking questions on forums. a friend of mine had a customer thinks he knows it all does all his own wireing dosent even know how to cable size volt drop loves a jb and choc blocks apprantly
i was told his garage caught fire. insurance refused to pay out because electrics was all wrong, little knowledge is dangerous,

 

[SJD]

Appendix 15
Ring and radial final circuit arrangements
Regulation 433.1
Page 505 have a look at the diagram it illustrates all that you can do with regards to spuring off very good page to understand the dos and donts as I wasn’t too sure untill I seen that page.

Appendix 15 is an informative annex, it is not normative. It shows some options that can be used for ring and radial final circuits. You can have multiple unfused spurs on the ring (you can find a few discussions about this on this site).

 

[Grant1987]

Appendix 15 is an informative annex, it is not normative. It shows some options that can be used for ring and radial final circuits. You can have multiple unfused spurs on the ring (you can find a few discussions about this on this site).

Sorry I’ve not made it clear what I was trying to interpret yes you can have multiple unfused spurs on any circuit but only one at each point didn’t make it clear find it easier to explain in person rather than txt

 

[westward10]

OP is in Scotland, Part P Notification doesn't apply there

Didn't spot that

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Yes there is RCD protection. The new socket will only be used to charge a Dyson Hoover.

It is a Dyson or a Hoover. It can't be both.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

You can only have 1 unfused spur from any point of circuit including consumer unit that’s the regs.

I don't think that is true.

 

[westward10]

OP assuming these works are in Scotland my original quotes regarding Part P were incorrect however, it is clear these works are beyond your electrical knowledge and for the benefit of your sister-in-law she needs to get an electrician in. For this reason I am closing this thread.