Evenin' all,
Although a seasoned DIY sparkie, I would appreciate suggestions for adding additional SWSOs (Switched Double Socket Outlets) in this scenario. This particular install is to go behind a television, and power a chunk of AV gear:
|| cabling (buried in plaster) || _______ _________ _________ | | | | | |
--------- ------------ ------------- existing new double new double
Now the cabling runs from ceiling to floor in the lounge of my 'well old' property! The existing double socket is on a ring. I need to add two others.
IEE 16th Edition regs state that of course, you can only add one DSO (double socket outlet) as a spur. So do I:
1) Make a joint with choc-block inside the metal box of the exising DSO, then extend the ring to the new end socket, looping back through the middle one to the firstor
2) Spur off the first socket using 4.0mm cable, then spur off that (so spur cable is within spec for two double sockets)or
3) Bugger the regs and simply add two spurs in daisy-chain format, like you're not supposed to do!I call the installation 'strip sockets' because the faceplate of each double is literally within about 2mm of the next on the wall, allowing neat and tidy connection of up to six appliances (TV, DVD, Playstation, Terrestrial Digital (DVB) decoder, etc etc...
Of course, electrically I'd get away with 'spurring off the first spur' - but I want to keep as close to the regs as possible. Breaking the ring and installing 30 amp joint boxes is not an option here. Neither is running new cabling - cables are buried in lime-plaster than is as hard as diamond!
Incidentally, I have installed 'strip sockets' to great effect in my computer room, giving me a total of 12 sockets by way of six 13 amp doubles. Only on that occasion, I was able to pick up both sides of the ring under the floor, and connect one at either end, looping in and out of each new socket with the requisite 2.5mm sq. T&E.
I'd be eager and grateful to hear suggestions from all who have experience of doing this type of install in the past. I suppose I'm leaning towards option (1), with a suitably earthed metal back box.
Many thanks
Alan