Spurs

[Mark Spice]

In my garage I have a single, surface mounted double socket. I would like to take a spur of this so I can run more stuff at once (usually a radio, and a couple of power tools) without have to constantly plug and unplug stuff.

I know that one shouldn't take a spur of off a spur unless a 13amp fused thingy (I can't remember the actual name for this but I believe it will basically be a surface mounted box with a fuse) is used but is there an idiot's way of checking whether the existing socket is on the ring or is a spur itself?

If I do fit a spur I presume that the cable from the existing socket should be fitted into conduit to the second socket/fuse thingy. Will bog standard plastic conduit be okay or should I go for something a bit more industrial?

I am quite happy at wiring things up as I've replaced sockets and lights before but I haven't tried spurs yet and I would prefer no to kill myself or burn the house down in the attempt.

Cheers

Mark Spice

[Alistair Riddell]

Take the faceplate off and look behind, if there are two wires going to each terminal then it is part of the ring. If there is only one wire going to each terminal then it is a spur (or a radial circuit). If there are three wires then it is part of the ring and already has a spur from that point on the ring.

There is no requirement to use conduit but it may be a good idea in a garage where the cable may need extra physical protection. If you are particurly fond of throwing heavy objects around in your garage then you may judge that steel conduit rather than plastic is required, however it needs to be properly earthed which is tricky if plastic fittings are used. You will also probably require a pipe threader and possibly a pipe bender for installing steel conduit.

The hardest bit of wiring a spur is getting all three wires into the terminals at the point where a spur is taken off. A pair of pointed pliers will help with this. After tightening the terminal screws give each wire a good tug to ensure it is not loose.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Two wires could also indicate that the socket is already a spur and that another socket has been spured from that one. The only way to be more certain is to disconnect the two lives, part them and test each to make sure both are still live.... Not for the faint of heart ;-)

[Owain]

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote | On 17/01/2004 Alistair Riddell a wrote : | > Take the faceplate off and look behind, if there are two wires | > going to each terminal then it is part of the ring. | Two wires could also indicate that the socket is already a spur and | that another socket has been spured from that one. The only way to be | more certain is to disconnect the two lives, part them and test each to | make sure both are still live.... Not for the faint of heart ;-)

Alternatively (and observing usual safety precautions) disconnect the two wires, part them, and *with the power off*[1] do a continuity test between the two parts eg Live1-Live2. Continuity suggests both cables go back to the MCB, discontinuity suggests one goes back to the MCB and the other only feeds downstream sockets.

Owain

[1] because a continuity tester is probably more fragile than you are

[Andy Hall]

The simple solution is to replace the existing socket with a fused connection unit (FCU) with 13A fuse. You can then wire as many sockets as you like downstream of it using 2.5mm twin & earth cable.

There is no need to use conduit unless you are going to run cable where it might be mechanically damaged.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Gary]

Harry Bloomfield scribbled :

Or a safer was would be to part the cables and use a meter set to resitance. Even if it does look like a ring at the socket via whatever means you choose to test it doesnt tell you for definate that it is actually a ring.

[John Southern]

Well if you running sockets off a fused spur its actually fine to use

1.5mm2 twin and cpc cable. Prob be a bit easier for a beginner aswell 2.5 can be a bit though in this cold weather.

Jon.

[usenet]

Only true if you *only* have ring mains and if no one has added a 'spur on a spur' (incorrectly) before you.

[Andrew Gabriel]

It was allowed in the 14th Edition regs, so it need not have been done "incorrectly".

[usenet]

Yes, I was going to mention that too but decided it would just get too complicated! :-)