While there are extension cables and adapters available, there are times when an additional power socket is necessary for your home.
With many of us using more and more devices, you may find that you need to increase the number of power sockets in certain rooms of your home or you need an outdoor socket.
This work should be left strictly in the hands of a professional, but here we’ll explore what you can expect with this type of project.
Although you may have developed some significant DIY skills, it is vital to recognise the importance of safety when installing new power sockets.
All electrical products are mandated to be installed in accordance with Building Regulations for your safety. For this reason, you should consult a competent electrician who is registered with an appropriate self certification scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT.
You should never take any risks with electrical safety, an electrician will need to switch off the main power, so it is a good idea to locate your fuse box or consumer unit before your appointment to save time.
It may be possible to switch off the appropriate breaker, and your electrician will use a socket tester to check that the circuit is dead before they begin work.
The most common way to install a new power socket is to run a spur cable from an existing socket to connect it to the ring circuit. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.
The IEE Wiring Regulations insist that a spur should not be run from a socket already on a spur, or already supplying a spur.
Additionally, the new socket should not extend the area currently served by the circuit beyond 100 square metres.
If it is possible to run a spur from an existing socket, your electrician will need to assess the restrictions on each main circuit.
A 30/32 amp circuit can supply a maximum 100 square metre area, but since certain rooms, such as kitchens are often heavily loaded, you should avoid using sockets in these rooms to create the spur.
Your electrician will need to calculate the floor area of the circuit and ensure that it complies with regulations.
The process of running the spur involves running 2.5 millimetre cable from the new power socket to an existing socket. Your electrician will need to feed the cables through the mounting box of both sockets and if you’re using metal faceplates, install a short earth core cable.
If this is not possible, your electrician may need to add a spur from your junction box.
This involves connecting cable to the main circuit cable, which can be more disruptive as your electrician will need access to several areas of your home.
Finally, you may wish to consider energy saving options. There are intelligent multi socket adaptors available with one “master” and additional “slave” sockets.
This type of adapter detects the master socket is off and switches off the additional slave sockets automatically, saving energy. Our recommended electricians would be happy to explain these types of energy saving options to ensure it is the right choice for your home.
If you’d like to speak to them about that you can find our recommended electrician nearest to you here.
Efficient, friendly service.Would reccomend to anyone wanting Phil and his NextLevel Install company.
Julie Debnam
Jordan & Luke came to resolve a fault with our downstairs sockets that left us without power. Both were very knowledgeable, polite & efficient. Had my power back on within 30 mins. Would recommend & use again.
Steve Green
We feel really pleased to have found David - a really reliable electrician, able to find his way through electrical problems. He gives one great confidence!
C & A GILL
David and his staff were friendly, efficient and on point with my Ring installation. Fair pricing as well. I would highly recommend his services.
Christopher LoPinto
Chris arrived at the agreed time. He quickly took in the situation and traced the fault in our rambling wiring. I was delighted by his manner, approach, and efficiency. The cost was reasonable and he tidied up afterwards! I think we were very lucky to have found such an unpretentious genuine professional electrician.
John M
Lovely chap, would use Daniel again if needed but no plans to move plugs myself anytime soon!
Sharon
Asa quoted to take over some unfinished electrical work on a major house rebuild. His quotation was clear and covered all our requirements. He arrived on time with a colleague and was very good at problem solving and trying out different things to get to the bottom of issues. At times, this was quite tricky as he hadn't been involved in the initial electrical work. He even returned at 7pm on a Friday to check out why some lights were tripping. Very friendly and expertise combined. Stuck to his quotation and we will now be using him for all our future electrical requirements as well as recommending him to others.
Sarah
I found Martin a very pleasant and friendly young man. Thanks
Craig
Good customer service and reliable. Great and neat electrical work done in my garage. Good price. I will highly recommend David Farrar and his team. Thanks , Kwame.
Eric Kwame G
Okay first review so lets make this thorough: Leon had come over today to assess my flat and run an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) I as a consumer was really happy with: - His ability to quickly identify and flag some minor issues which needed adjusting. - His level of transparency and communication as he ran me through any changes that would occur (power cycling, what task he was moving onto as he progressed through his EICR) - Willingness to see a job through, he had gone to collect some parts to complete the task and had gone the extra mile to get it all resolved quickly. Brilliant level of customer service and overall great expertise in his role. Would highly recommend.
Sami Rashid
Very honest and efficient!
Richard
Turned up at the time we agreed and sorted the fault. Very professional. Thank you.
Eleanor
Very good service when I had a emergency. Gave very good advice. Would use again.
Susan
Fantastic service. Immediate response and arrived within the time given. Excellent knowledge and quickly found the fault.
Larraine
Excellent service, very professional and I can strongly recommend this company. The standard of work carried out was exceptional.
Twigs
Fantastic help and to the point both on the phone and in person. Arrived in the time we were given and explained the problem and solution simply but without being patronising. 10/10 for Paul the gent who came out to us.
Jo
Wow! responded immediately, electrician was here in no time, he explained the faults and fixed them right away, can actually say, "he saved our lives " as one switch was very very old and was heating up, potentially causing a fire. so big a thank you for making us safe, excellent service, excellent work carried out, would definitely recommend. THANK YOU
Rach
I was looking for a company to do an electrical survey of a property I am buying. I have nothing but praise for Paul and the work he has done. His estimation was clear. He was timely. He was very thorough in his survey of the property highlighting a number of things which need addressing which there is no way would have been identified otherwise. There are lots of companies out there on comparison sites but I would thoroughly recommend Paul from Electricians On Call.
Keith
I would recommended this company. Paul came to fit my new oven that needed to have a safety socket and new wires put behind it to make safe , spot on for time very quick and he knew his stuff and very polite, even got a free pen which was a nice touch ! many thanks for all your help
Jenny
Very professional, engineer arrived at time stated. Problem fixed in less than half an hour, therefore charged half hour rate, would have paid hourly rate with most other emergency call outs. Many thanks, would not hesitate to recommend!
Louis
My Trusted Expert Guarantee
Experts Have Been Vetted & Certified